How an Enterprise Network Operator Solves Industrial IoT Connectivity Challenges

Today, the value of Industry 4.0 is being increasingly recognized by enterprises. The pandemic has highlighted the benefits to be had from automating traditional manufacturing processes, with those companies that are one step ahead in digitizing operations enjoying improved business continuity in the currently uncertain climate. However, for those that continue to rely heavily on manual processes, the introduction of social distancing measures and extended periods of remote working have served as a sharp wake-up call to the importance of digital technologies within the industrial and manufacturing sector.

Industry 4.0: A Rapidly Growing Global Market

From monitoring activities and implementing predictive maintenance to analyzing business data and controlling factory operations, the opportunities for industrial IoT applications are endless. Forecasts predict substantial growth in the global Industry 4.0 market, whose value is projected to more than triple over the next five years, reaching USD 267.01 billion by 2026 (Mordor Intelligence). However, for this forecast to be met, industrial and manufacturing enterprises need the right IoT connectivity infrastructure in place.

Industrial IoT Connectivity Challenges

Beecham Research cites Wi-Fi as the most widely deployed wireless connectivity technology in the factory environment in Creating Business Value with Smart Industrial Processes, however it is not without its limitations. Manufacturing enterprises need their IoT network to support thousands of static and mobile devices with varying speed, bandwidth and QoS (Quality of Service) requirements in both indoor and outdoor settings, yet given the pain points of Wi-Fi—coverage, network congestion, insufficient bandwidth, security—this connectivity technology does not present itself as the likely backbone of Industry 4.0.

As increasing numbers of enterprises in the manufacturing sector look to roll out new or scale current industrial IoT deployments, finding an alternative connectivity solution to overcome the shortfalls of Wi-Fi is now more pressing than ever.

The Smart Connectivity Solution for the Smart Factory

With the rise in enterprise IoT deployments comes the need for more flexible, secure and resilient networks that offer low latency to support real-time data transfer essential to mission critical IIoT applications.

Could private cellular networks overtake Wi-Fi as the most widely deployed connectivity solution in the factory setting? How do those enterprises without the in-house capabilities and experience go about building, managing and running a Private LTE network?

Will traditional cellular IoT connectivity providers be able to meet the demands being put on them in terms of connectivity, management and security in order to support the growth of Industry 4.0 and the accelerating introduction of smart technology?

An ENO for IIoT: Unleashing the Potential of Manufacturing Enterprises

Results from a recent UK-wide survey reveal the key connectivity pain points experienced by manufacturing enterprises and indicate that a new breed of Enterprise Network Operator (ENO) could offer a future-proof connectivity solution that will support IIoT and enable businesses to maintain a competitive edge in the increasingly complex industrial sector.

Download the latest report by Pod Group and discover all the details on the new class of connectivity service provider that is emerging in the global IoT market.