IIOT finding its way in GE’s digital industrial revolution

1. IIOT Finding its Way in GE’S Digital Industrial Revolution In the midst of a massive transformation process in the manufacturing industry, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the prominent technological revolution, is being considered by many organisations to make their operations quicker and the data collection management easier. With the advent of advanced technologies such as smart sensors, cloud, mobility, remote access and wireless communication, the industry is rapidly upgrading its operations for the better. Having sensor-packed factory floors with high intelligence is what most companies plan to incorporate into their daily functioning through IIoT. IIoT enabled systems are helping manufacturers build self-correcting systems. The missing parts are replaced and replenished, leading to greater productivity. Since companies are on the look- out for a system to enhance productivity, IIoT’s inclusion is proving to be more of a necessity rather than a luxury. It ensures convenience as the need for human labour is reduced. In addition to this, IIoT also helps businesses stick to lean manufacturing while assisting the maintenance of supply lines. The supplies spread across different regions geographically are always in the loop and, as a result, supply lines are managed smoothly without shortage. Talking of supplies, their processing undergoes multiple stages in traditional manufacturing, right from sourcing of raw materials to the time the final product reaches the customer. IIoT makes this entire process effortless and effective. Our experts at General Electric (GE) have, in fact, designed a software known as “GE Digital Software,” which is IIoT enabled. GE Digital Software assists the organization in simplifying multiple tasks all at once, at the same time enhancing the management and exchange of data. Let us talk about how this software has helped us simplify the remanufacturing process of freight locomotives. The 26,000 freight locomotives that operate across United States’ transport network require repairs once in ten years. When these engines do need repairs, they are sent to our Grove City Remanufacturing Facility which is spread across a land of 240,000 Square Feet. This facility repairs and rebuilds 1200 of these engines each year. The entire facility is sensor integrated to assess the decrepit engines and report the changes required to expedite the repairing process. This process also helps the supervisors and production heads in tracking the run time of various jobs and check the floor head counts as shift details are on display too. Its contribution in bringing the unplanned downtime by 20% has also been massive. Managing the entire processing of supplies can be a precarious task but the GE Digital software serves as the right example on how systems enabled with IIoT can bring efficiency to an organisation’s functioning cycle. #GEDigital #FreightLocomotives #RemanufacturingFacility