The Industrial Internet’s Role in the Pipeline Industry

The Current State of the Industrial Internet

The Industrial Internet is a term that refers to the integration of machines (or assets) through sensors and software in order to improve and optimize industrial outcomes. It is a shift from reactive to predictive capabilities based on the existence of three main factors: smart devices, advanced analytics, and connected people. According to Cisco, more than 20 billion devices are connected to the Internet today and it is estimated that the number will grow 50 billion by 2020.

Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity combined with advanced computing capabilities and industry-focused software enable a wide range of new capabilities. From smart homes controlled over the internet (which allow for greater energy efficiency and security optimization), to smart electric grids with smart meters, sensors and controls that continually monitor the performance of electric distribution and can self-adjust to demand and outage conditions to optimize uptime across the whole network or a combination of networks, the Industrial Internet has opened the door to a new era of efficiency, productivity, and safety for the industrial world.