What is the Key Difference Between IoT and IIoT? A Detailed Walkthrough

IIot (Industrial Internet of Things) is the subset or part of the IoT (Internet of Things) or you can say that IIoT comes from the IoT. The one which is basically designed to focus and improve the standard of the industrial environment through automation. 

With this innovative technology, you can enhance the level of your industrial environment such as manufacturing plants, energy grids, and supply chains. Additionally, you can leverage functionality like process optimization, operational efficiency, and automation of your industrial environment by adding the IIoT into it.

Whereas, IoT (Internet of Things) is a border coverage of the technology that drives the automation in your professional and regular existence. IoT is the network of physical devices that allow you to do any task automatically without having your intervention.

This blog post will outline the difference between IIoT and IoT quickly and will solve the thirst of your knowledgeable query.

What is IoT?

IoT, the abbreviation of Internet of Things these are the physical objectives. IoT devices are embedded with sensors, technologies, and softwares, and are connected to the internet to perform automated tasks. Alternatively, you can you that IoT is the network of innovative technology or gadgets that enable a task to get done automatically without human intervention.

This network of connected devices communicates with each other over the internet to adjust the temperature when a person enters a room and exchange data. Furthermore, these objectives also activate the security system when the home is unoccupied and perform the actions autonomously.

IoT can be the devices, from smartphones to home appliances that allow you to send and receive information wherever it’s required or automatically. Here, you’ve gained enough knowledge on What is IoT, to expand this understanding be continue on this blog.

In the current era, IoT devices are used in various sectors, such as home automation, healthcare, transportation, and agriculture to provide convenience, automation, efficiency, and user experience.

Also Read – How IoT Works: Mechanics Behind Smart Technologies

Example of IoT

If you are using a smart home system then you can consider that an IoT device. Apart from this, there are multiple advantages of IoT devices such as smart thermostats, lighting systems, and security cameras that allow users to control tasks remotely via apps are examples of IoT. Here, we expect that from your query on the difference between IoT and IIoT, you have been well aware of Iot. Let’s move to have a detailed view of IIoT.

What is IIoT?

IIoT is the abbriviation of Indutrial Internet of Things. This technology is designed to monitor and optimize the performance of machines and systems across various stages of production in industrial environments. 

The core focus of this technology is to integrate IoT technologies with industrial processes, systems, and equipment. It allows you to connect machines, IoT sensors, and control systems within the industrial environments to improve efficiency, enhance automation, and reduce operational costs.

IIoT is mainly used in industries such as manufacturing, energy, logistics, supply chain management, and so on. IIoT is embedded with data-driven solutions that enhance productivity, and monitor equipment health to drive predictive maintenance and overall safety improvement.

Along with this, this innovative technology will help in improving resource allocation, energy consumption efficiency, overall production, and a list of others.

Example of IIoT

If you’re using a smart sensor for your machinery or using any wearable safety device you can consider that an IIoT device. Along with this, devices for monitoring performance, conditions and other aspects that allow you to enhance efficiency, predict maintenance needs, etc in industrial environments are examples of IIoT.

The key difference between IoT and IIoT

S.No.	Features	IoT (Internet of Things)	IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)
	Purpose	The main focus of IoT devices is to serve customers with automated functionality by providing auto-convenience.	The main focus of IIoT devices is to optimize the industrial process and equipment with full safety and automation.
	Use	Generally, you can use this technology for any of your tasks. However, it is designed to automate the personal and home-related tasks.	IIoT is mainly developed to automate tasks in factories, power plants, and other industrial settings and to drive optimized performance.
	Network Requirement	IoT requires standard consumer-grade networks like 4G and 5G.	IIoT requires Industrial-grade networks like 5G and private industrial networks.
	Data Volume	IoT devices are allowed to cover medium and small volumes of data	IIoT devices are allowed to cover a large volume of data
	Device	Here, devices are equipped with smart thermostats, IoT actuator, fitness trackers, and smart speakers.	Here, devices are involved like industrial machines, sensors, wearable safety devices, and automated systems.
	Impact	IoT drives the impact of personal convenience and lifestyle to improve it.	IIoT drives the impact to increase operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance safety in industries.
	Security	IoT devices carry a basic security system for personal use as these can be hacked and accessed by unauthorized users.	IIoT carries an advanced security system that measures to safeguard the critical infrastructure of the operation.
	Connectivity	IoT uses consumer-grade networks such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or else.	IIoT requires high-reliability, low-latency networks to serve in the industrial environments.
	Typical Application	IoT devices are smart home gadgets, wearable objects, connected cars, and appliances.	IIoT devices are like manufacturing, predictive maintenance, energy grids, and supply chain management.
	Data Handling	IoT devices handle small to medium data data which is often less complex.	IIoT devices handle large-scale data in real-time that basically are complex for operational insights.

Here, you will get the multiple and point-to-point differences between IoT and IIoT that will make you a pro in choosing the right one for your needs.

The similarities between IoT and IIoT

As IIoT is the subset of IoT technology so there are few similarities between IoT and IIoT. As a consequence, let’s reveal them separately. 

• Connectivity: 

The connectivity level of IoT and IIoT is the same as they both rely on internet connectivity to automate devices to exchange data and communicate with each other.

• Data-Driven Insights: 

As both, IoT and IIoT systems gather and analyze data to provide actionable insights to level up the decision-making status, so, data-driven insight is also the same.

• Automation: 

IoT and IIoT, both systems drive automation by allowing devices to perform tasks autonomously based on data or preset conditions.

Final Thought:

IoT is a broader application that is used for personal and business purposes whereas, IIoT is designed specifically for industrial operations. IIoT systems allow businesses to maximize their efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the safety level in high-stakes environments. In this blog post, we have explained the key differences between IoT and IIoT systems along with their similarities. So, let’s have a quick look at the article without any further ado.