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This episode is full of acronyms. Here's a quick list for reference. A brief explanation of each Industrial Revolution follows the list.

CNC: Computer Numerical Control. It's a computer controlled machine that uses pre-programmed software to direct the movement of machining tools and 3D printers.

ERP:  Enterprise Resource Planning. The ERP system runs the entire plant.

HMI:  Human Machine Interface. It's a touchscreen on a machine that displays the data on that machine.

IIoT:  Industrial Internet of Things. IIoT is the extension of the Internet of Things (IoT) in industrial sectors and applications. The digitization and digitalization steps to use data to make good business decisions.

IIoTA:  Industrial Internet of Things Appliance. An appliance that easily connects IT and OT and transfers data directly and natively without the need for generic communications.

IT:  Information Technology. The Enterprise side where the data servers & databases reside.

KPI: Key Performance Indicator. It's a measurable value to illustrate effectiveness.

MES:  Manufacturing Execution System. MES is the manufacturing leg on the ERP system.

Modbus TCP:  Modbus is a data communications protocol. TCP is Transmission Control  Protocol.

OA:  Overall Availability. It's a process based Key Performance Indicator.

OEE:  Overall Equipment Effectiveness. Also a process based KPI.

OLE:  Object Linking and Embedding. Invented by Microsoft in the '80's. The OLE principles for process control begat OPC.

OPC:  Open Platform Communications. A generic, common language that runs in a PC environment and is used to communicate with PLCs on the plant floor. Some folks say stands for "Oh, Please Connect!"

OT:  Operational Technology. The plant floor. When talking about machines think operations.

PC:  Personal computer. In manufacturing when a PC is brought into the system, it becomes an IT asset. The IT Department must then protect it.

PLC:  Programmable Logic Controller. Controls the majority of manufacturing equipment. Capable of gathering and generating data from the machines on the plant floor, OT side.

The Industrial Revolutions in manufacturing:

Industry 1.0 - the mechanization of manufacturing with the introduction of steam and water power.

Industry 2.0 - the mass production assembly lines using electrical power.

Industry 3.0 - automated production using electronics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), IT systems, and robots.

Industry 4.0 - using "smart factory" autonomous decision making of cyber physical systems using machine learning and big data analysis. Interoperability through IoT and cloud technology.

During this episode, Brandon discusses:

• Each of these terms - what they mean and how they relate to an effective manufacturing grade IoT system.
  
  
• The differences between Digitalization and Digitization.
  
  
• The basic goal of most industrial IoT implementation.
  
  
• Some pitfalls that elliTek has been asked to solve.
  
  
• OPC and why some folks say it stands for "Oh Please Connect!"
  
  
• Quality data - what it is and some reasons for skewed data.
  
  
• How elliTek is able to overcome these industrial IoT struggles - The Trick!

Watch the "Two Minutes To Data" video. Read more about how an MES Gateway Appliance opposes OPC and industrial PCs.