Introducing IIoT’s New Era
Industrial IoT (IIoT) has reached a turning point. With AI and new connectivity standards making industrial automation smarter and safer, factories and process industries are finding faster, more effective ways to run their operations. These changes, accelerated in 2024, touch everything from core production to security and data management. ASP Dijital supports these shifts by connecting field assets, enabling real-time monitoring, and giving manufacturers reliable pathways into digital transformation.
AI and Machine Learning at the Factory Edge
One of the biggest shifts is how AI and machine learning have become essential for interpreting data from IIoT devices. Companies use these advances to predict equipment failures and streamline maintenance work. AI can spot patterns in sensor data, warning of issues before downtime hits. This saves costs and keeps production moving.
Machine learning is built into process optimization, energy use, and real-time quality checks, helping factories make quick changes based on the latest data. Generative AI is also starting to help with design and automation code, reducing the time for new solutions to go live.
Practical Example
A leading automotive manufacturer cut waste and improved output by using AI for both predictive maintenance and in-line visual inspections, guided by integrated IIoT sensor networks.
OPC UA: The Backbone of Secure, Interoperable IIoT
OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) allows different machines and systems to “speak the same language.” In 2024, AI and OPC UA are finally coming together. This combination means machines can send reliable, secure data into cloud and enterprise IT, fueling smarter decision-making and automation.
Key points with OPC UA today:
Vendor-neutral interoperability of control systems (PLCs, SCADA, DCS)
Standard data models for predictive analytics and digital twins
Secure, encrypted protocols (MQTT, TSN) for real-time industrial performance
The OPC Foundation has launched new efforts to drive AI-powered solutions within OPC UA, making fast, reliable adoption easier for manufacturers.