Internet of Things: examples of integration with CMMS

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that is gradually changing the face of modern production. Solutions in this area provide many benefits – including the ability to collect valuable data on processes, as well as integration with management systems such as CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) . As a result, IoT allows, among other things, monitoring, automation and optimization of production, which in turn translates into improved efficiency and minimizing downtime. What exactly is IoT and how do such solutions connect with CMMS?

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things, Internet of Things or simply IoT – is a term describing a network of interconnected devices using technologies that allow them to collect data and communicate via the Internet . This category primarily includes small sensors that monitor various system parameters. However, IoT is much more – it also includes industrial robots, production equipment, as well as everyday objects or household appliances. The basic feature of IoT solutions is the use of network protocols along with special technologies supporting the communication of such devices .

The IoT market is constantly developing, with the growing use of such technologies. Currently, most of the use of the Internet of Things is focused on two areas – smart cities and the industrial and manufacturing industry . In the context of production, IoT primarily allows for remote monitoring of machines and devices, real-time data analysis and automation. Such functions are often implemented based on integration with dedicated software and management systems, such as CMMS.

Internet of Things in Production – How Do IoT Devices Work with CMMS Systems?

CMMS, or Computerized Maintenance Management System – an automated system supporting maintenance – is a key tool for many manufacturing and industrial companies. It can be used to effectively plan, monitor and implement maintenance, repair or service work on machines and devices used in production. However, it is worth paying attention to the role of data in such processes . Only access to reliable information on individual machine parameters allows you to achieve the required efficiency – thanks to IoT, collecting such data becomes much easier. When Internet of Things devices are connected to CMMS, data collected by machines and sensors can be automatically sent to the system , which allows for continuous monitoring of technical condition and proactive response to potential failures or faults.

Thanks to such cooperation, it is possible to implement predictive maintenance , a practice based on predicting machine failures based on data. As a result, the number of unexpected downtimes or delays is significantly reduced – along with the costs of repairs. It is worth emphasizing, however, that IoT also offers a number of benefits in other areas, including the overall efficiency of production processes.

Industrial robots

Various types of industrial robots play a key role in modern production, performing a range of tasks – including welding, painting, assembly, packaging and palletizing. Devices of this type are mainly used for processes that require precision and repeatability . To further improve their work, it is worth implementing IoT sensors – using them, robots can send data on their performance, technical condition, energy consumption or possible errors. Such information can go directly to the CMMS system to enable ongoing monitoring of performance and prediction of potential problems .

Integrating robots with CMMS also means optimizing maintenance schedules. It is also a solution that allows for automatic notification of the need to perform technical inspections. As a result, you can count on minimizing the risk of failure, which translates into better production continuity .

CNC machines

CNC, or Computerized Numerical Control, machines are used on a large scale, including in machining processes such as turning, milling, and grinding. As with robots, they can be equipped with sensors that monitor operating parameters , such as speed, tool temperature, vibration levels, and energy consumption. Thanks to IoT technology, information on this subject is constantly sent to the CMMS system, which analyzes data in terms of machine efficiency and technical condition. This allows for faster diagnosis of problems, optimization of production, and extension of equipment life through more accurate maintenance planning .

Measuring devices

IoT is an area that is mainly associated with various types of sensors – for this reason, measuring devices are an ideal example of using the Internet of Things. Temperature, pressure, flow or force sensors provide extremely valuable information in the context of production optimization, allowing for real-time monitoring of conditions and adjustment of production parameters. They can also be integrated with CMMS to enable quick response to irregularities in the production process – e.g. too high temperature or insufficient pressure. With access to data from sensors, the system can, among other things, automatically generate a service request or order machine maintenance to avoid failures.

Actuators

As part of IoT integration with CMMS, it is also worth paying attention to actuators, i.e. executive devices that convert control signals into mechanical movement . In the context of the Internet of Things, we are again mainly talking about sensors – they can generate the operating status and efficiency of sensors. The benefits are similar to those in the case of other production solutions: first of all, it is the ability to constantly monitor the condition of equipment, predict failures and more efficient ordering of repairs or replacements. All this means that thanks to the cooperation of CMMS systems and Internet of Things devices, manufacturing companies can avoid costly downtime and maintain process continuity in every situation .

The Future of IoT in Manufacturing

The Internet of Things is already changing the way modern industry works. It is estimated that in 2024 the value of the global IoT market in production will reach over 65 billion dollars (data from the Precedence Research report), and the next 10 years are expected to bring growth of over 10% per year, reaching a value of as much as 181 billion USD in 2034. Such growth dynamics reflect the huge potential of such solutions – according to experts, more and more devices and machines will be integrated with IoT systems, which will allow for even better optimization of production and more efficient maintenance.

IoT development forecasts in manufacturing and maintenance focus primarily on the growing scope of automation. Such systems can use solutions such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide even more accurate and reliable failure predictions; in addition, there is the ability to make decisions based on data collected by IoT sensors without human intervention . As a result, even more benefits can be expected in terms of resource savings and reduction of operating costs. Integration of IoT with CMMS remains a key element of this transformation, giving companies better management tools and the possibility of further process optimization.