According to Forbes, 81% of CEOs see mobile devices as an important strategic aspect of their business. But it’s more than just the opinion of few CEOs. Last year, mobile internet usage exceeded desktop usage for the first time ever, and the trend is continuing upward.
According to a report from Smart Insights, over 80% of internet users operate a smartphone. In a report provided by Accenture, it was stated that the Industrial Internet of things could have a potential value of around $15 trillion by 2030. So what does all of this mean for manufacturing?
The increasing use of mobile devices and advancements in mobile technologies isn’t limited to just social media, fitness devices, and online shopping. Mobile is already having an effect on manufacturing, and it will only continue to influence the industry.
Mobile will change how manufacturing is done. We’re now more connected than ever before. We can stream movies from a campsite in the woods, or check emails on a highway in the desert (preferably not while driving). Connectivity is becoming increasingly valuable to consumers, and manufacturers will have to accommodate that.
With this greater connectivity comes greater communication. There will be increased customer responsiveness and increased speed at which this communication is taking place. There’s no longer an impenetrable wall between the consumers and the manufacturers. Customers will have the ear of manufacturers and manufacturers will have to make adjustments accordingly.
Many manufacturers are already choosing to monitor performance from mobile devices. They can see whether machinery is operating efficiently, and receive maintenance notifications and perform maintenance scheduling remotely.
The Internet of Things, specifically the Industrial Internet of Things, will be big in mobile manufacturing. The meaning of machine-to-machine communication will change with more machines becoming mobile.
Mobility means improved logistics and supply chain coordination. For example, you could have shelves in a supermarket that are in contact with delivery drones, which are in contact with a distribution center, which is in contact directly with the manufacturing plant. This level of connectivity can maximize efficiency and help meet customer demands.