The true value of industry automation and industry IoT solutions is the ability to monitor data about the factory environment in real time all the time—to gain valuable insights on how to improve processes and increase productivity. This includes metrics on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and air quality, which can have a critical impact on production processes, costs and worker productivity and safety.
To keep daily operations running smoothly, companies in a broad range of industries now rely on wireless environmental monitoring technology. Here are the benefits it offers:
- Optimal industrial processes—In industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to food and beverage to automotive, changes in room temperature, humidity and air quality can have an adverse affect on raw materials and machinery as well as the manufacturing process. Having an environment sensor network in place throughout a factory make it easy to maintain optimal operating conditions and a work environment that’s pleasant and productive for employees.
- More efficient energy use—By connecting IoT sensors to HVAC systems, manufacturers can monitor and manage energy usage more efficiently, making adjustments during downtime or when the premises have fewer occupants or are vacant. Another way to improve energy efficiency is to adjust heating and cooling on demand in different areas of a plant based on micro-zoned indoor climate data from IoT sensors—a better option than maintaining a uniform HVAC setting for the entire facility.
- Improved worker safety—Maintaining safe workplace surroundings—regulating everything from air quality and combustible gases to heat, noise and radiation—is critical to safeguard employees’ health. Monitoring environmental data from sensors placed throughout a factory as well as data from worker wearable devices helps identify potential hazards and prevent longtime exposure to any harmful conditions.
- Regulatory compliance—Energy, mining and other industries that handle hazardous chemicals and/or involve hazardous extractive processes are subject to a variety of environmental and safety regulations that need to be adhered to daily to prevent accidents and contamination. In these industries, where environmental monitoring is critical, IoT sensors can be instrumental in tracking everything from underground water quality and ground vibration to acid drainage and chemical leakage so companies can remain in compliance with government mandates.
Environmental monitoring is just one of the many ways industry automation and industry IoT solutions can have a valuable impact on your manufacturing customers.