Of all the jargon to come out of the Internet of Things technology in smart factories, “process efficiency” is gaining more recognition.  This is the act of taking the smart data generated by IoT technology and making critical operational decisions.  But what can it mean for your business?

“Smart” data is all about gathering information from a series of connected devices and using that data to make informed decisions about the way a manufacturer (or trucking company or medical sales, etc.) can improve operations.  Smart data can predict everything from impending equipment breakdown to consumer habits that affect inventory.  The industrial sector is so excited by the possibility of smart data, that at least one third of companies, according to a 2016 PwC survey, expect to achieve both efficiency gains and cost savings by more than 20%.

This is exciting news, particularly for highly competitive industries.  But there are other ways to increase your efficiency and bottom line in addition to smart data.  Taking a good look at your industrial processes also means looking at the way your business uses energy, such as with a steam heater, or the way the product is mixed together to create the end result, whether you are working with bitumen or plastics.  In many cases, converting over to a PVC, stainless steel or carbon steel static mixer can create more than 20% efficiency gains and cost savings.

This is because innovative design with such a static mixer means no moving parts, reducing sludge buildup and downtime for cleaning.  Innovative design also means it can be custom built to the factory floor, replacing outdated technology, saving or making the most of a small space.  The process is highly precise, so a “batch” of product will have consistent results every time, leading to less waste.  Oh, and did we also mention it saves energy?  By using just what it needs and no more, an innovative static mixer can make the most of the energy available without energy loss or waste, bringing costs down dramatically.

Ultimately, companies must take advantage of both data and innovative technologies to stay on top of mechanical issues and process efficiency in order to continue to advance in the marketplace.