Business Strategy and Innovation Framework
Interoperability is also a driver for the development of new and innovative applications across clusters of stand-alone silo applications .
6.2.2 IIOT PLATFORM SELECTION PARAMETERS
When designing IIoT applications , the IIC ’ s IIRA [ IIC1 ] recommends that industrial users should consider business , usage , functional and implementation perspectives .
In the case of IIoT platforms , each of these perspectives has a tactical and strategic component . An operational solution intended for a rapid market launch might require a customized IIoT platform ( e . g . for a one-off , capital-intensive machine in a factory environment ). Over the medium to long term , this approach is not ideal if the platform requires customization to support new IIoT applications , such as interoperating with other machines or an entire assembly cell in the same factory environment . The table below highlights the main tactical and strategic platform selection considerations from each of the IIRA ’ s main viewpoints .
IIRA viewpoints Tactical considerations Strategic considerations
Business
Usage
Functional
� Platform supports immediate IIoT application requirements
� Platform demonstrates implementation track record � Adequacy of duty-cycle loading � Dynamic response capabilities ( i . e . from non-time-critical responses to real-time responses )
� Support for highly automated ( rules engines , protective overrides ) and humanoperated ( visualization , intervention controls ) usage environments
� Functional alignment between platform feature set and usage priorities
Implementation � Infrastructure choices ( on-premise , hosted , virtual environment , etc .)
� Solution choices ( in-house , managed service , etc .)
� Solution provider expertise and viability
Table 6-1 : IIoT platform selection considerations
� Platform offers resource re-use capabilities
� Visibility in terms of platform roadmap ( new capabilities , protocols , and support for interoperability )
� Extensibility to support use-case evolution ( IT / OT integration ) as the boundaries of an IIoT application expand
� Support for new business models ( from B2B to B2B2C , for example )
� Roadmap for next-generation features and composable value-added services ( analytics , data monetization , etc .)
� Scope for interoperability across different layers of the IIoT value stack
� IIoT application expansion requirements for hybrid platforms ( multi-provider cloud computing , geographic diversity , etc .)
� Solution multi-sourcing to increase bargaining leverage
Organizations will base their platform investment decisions on their specific requirements . Some enterprises may want to invest in a platform to explore the various opportunities presented by IIoT ; others may have a well-defined , long-term roadmap in place . In both cases , enterprises must be clear on how best to internalize the experience they have gained and simplify its dissemination to other business units .
Enterprises will often collaborate with specialist service providers in designing and launching their IIoT applications . It is therefore important to balance business and technology
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