Five challenges for future IoT technologies

Intel said a forthcoming new study shows that two-thirds of companies are working to deploy the Industrial Internet of Things, where sensors and connectivity can greatly increase productivity and security.

In a new report entitled "Accelerated Industry", Intel states that most Western industrial production training programs and government investment programs have failed to address the skills gap.

As edge data, connectivity, and processing power continue to grow, the Industrial Internet of Things has become more accessible. However, successful adoption is still prohibitive for many companies: Intel says that two-thirds of companies trying digital manufacturing solutions cannot roll out on a large scale.

The study mentions the first five challenges mentioned by interviewees that have the potential to derail investment in smart solutions in the future:

36% of respondents believe that the “technical skills gap” prevents them from benefiting from their investments.
27% believe that "data sensitivity" comes from an increasing focus on data and IP privacy, ownership and management.
23% said they lacked protocol, component, product and system interoperability.
In terms of current and emerging vulnerabilities in the plant, 22% of respondents mentioned security threats.
18% of references face challenges that require an increase in the amount and speed of processing data and understanding.
Digital technology from the factory floor to enterprise systems will greatly drive the future production environment. The report notes the increasing importance of the digital skills required to navigate and succeed in this new situation.

The study found that despite the high demand for digital transformation, 83% of companies said they plan to invest in smart factory technology, but most industry job training programs or related policy makers.

When asked about the most important features needed to support the digital transformation of manufacturing, research participants reported without hesitation that workers must be “lifelong learners”. Future skills cited by interviewees point to the need to go beyond the basics of programming to embrace deep learning. Understanding of digital tools, from data collection to analysis and real-time feedback.

The first five skills of the future are all about digital:

Deep understanding of modern programming or software engineering techniques
Digital flexibility, or the ability to leverage existing and emerging technologies to achieve tangible business results
Data science
Connectivity
cyber security
Manufacturing skills rank second in importance today and only later appear on key skills in the future.

A recent Deloitte / Manufacturing Institute study shows that the industry is entering a severe period of long-term labor shortages, and manufacturing shortages are expected to fill 2.4 million job vacancies by 2028, causing a US $ 2.5 trillion in US economy Negative impact. In terms of projected labor shortages, the situation is even worse in Germany and Japan.

Intel said today's leaders urgently need a future-oriented workforce that requires collaboration between universities, government and industry, and includes programs aimed at training workers in the manufacturing transition. iJUNCO Tracking Report