Industrial wireless solutions are transforming the way many businesses operate. The shift from traditional wired systems to advanced wireless options is currently a major force behind cost savings for various industries, including manufacturing and warehousing. Understanding the context of cost efficiency can help leaders make educated decisions about implementation.
Simplified installation
Installing wired systems includes expenses for cabling, conduits, and additional hardware such as signal repeaters and multiplexers. These costs can quickly add up, especially in large industrial facilities.
Industrial wireless solutions cap these expenses significantly, eliminating the need for extensive cabling.
Possibility of remote monitoring
The ability to monitor industrial processes and equipment remotely through wireless systems can lead to substantial cost reductions across various operational areas.
Minimized labor costs
Remote monitoring reduces the need for on-site personnel to observe and manage equipment continuously. This results in significant labor cost savings.
Automation and sensor data relayed wirelessly enable a smaller on-site team to oversee operations from one central location, thus streamlining the workforce and cutting expenses.
Prolonged equipment life
Continuous remote monitoring also supports predictive maintenance. It simplifies the timely identification of potential issues with machinery. This proactive approach leads to a longer lifecycle for equipment, reducing the frequency of replacements or repairs which can be major drains on operational budgets.
Reduced downtime
Predictive maintenance and remote condition monitoring combined don’t just extend the lifespan of expensive equipment but also reduce the frequency and duration of downtime due to maintenance and repair.
Equipment breakdowns can be costly – not just in terms of repair expenses, but also in lost production time. A wireless system that alerts you to potential issues before they become critical decreases downtime and its associated costs significantly.
Easier diagnostics
Technicians can often diagnose and sometimes even repair equipment issues remotely, reducing the need for physical inspections and onsite repairs. This not only saves on direct labor costs but also minimizes the indirect costs associated with downtime and travel.
Minimal interference from manual operators
Human error is a common cause of operational disruptions. Wireless systems allow for automated processes where human intervention is minimized. This reduces the potential for errors that can lead to bottlenecks in production and the associated loss of revenue.
Streamlined processes
Automation brought about by wireless technology enhances the precision and consistency of industrial processes. This results in fewer errors and lower production waste, translating to direct cost savings.
Speed and agility
Wireless systems allow for a more agile response to dynamic production needs. The ease of reconfiguring wireless networks to accommodate changes in the production line means you can adjust operations rapidly without the extensive downtime associated with re-wiring.
Reduced storage costs
The space that would traditionally be used to store excess wires and components can now be repurposed or eliminated, potentially reducing overhead and freeing up valuable square footage.
Health and safety
The reduced presence of personnel in hazardous locations, due to the remote monitoring capabilities of wireless systems, can lead to lower medical and insurance costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses.
Expansion opportunities
For businesses looking to grow, wireless solutions open up new horizons.
Improved adaptability
Market changes and production innovations require adaptability. Wireless networks are inherently more adaptable, enabling businesses to pivot more quickly to new operational strategies without being constrained by the limitations of a wired infrastructure.
Scalable costs
Wireless systems offer a level of scalability that wired options can’t match. The ease with which new devices can be integrated into a wireless network allows for a more cost-efficient scaling process. It means you can start small and grow your wireless infrastructure as your business expands, with minimal additional expenditure on infrastructure.
The future of industrial wireless with IO-Link Wireless
The ascension of wireless solutions is linked to the burgeoning field of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
IO-Link Wireless is a global standard standing at the forefront of industrial wireless technology. It allows remote communication between multiple devices in various industrial settings. The implementation of this standard is key to reaping the cost-cutting benefits of wireless tech.
Beyond cost efficiency
Wireless solutions like IO-Link Wireless are not just about reducing costs. They are about enabling growth and progress in the industrial sector. The ease of integrating new technologies under the Industry 4.0 framework via wireless systems allows businesses to adopt smart manufacturing practices in a future-proof manner.
Industrial wireless solutions are more than just a technological trend. They are becoming a staple for forward-thinking businesses. The long-term cost benefits, operational flexibility, and strategic advantages they deliver underscore their indispensable role in modern industrial environments.
As technology continues to evolve, the potential for wireless solutions to drive cost savings and enhance operational efficiency will only grow. Organizations that recognize and capitalize on these advantages will be well-positioned to lead in their industries.
About CoreTigo
CoreTigo enables faster and more flexible manufacturing by providing high-performance machine digitalization, wireless connectivity, and edge solutions for machine builders, system integrators, and industrial equipment manufacturers. CoreTigo’s products enable the design and retrofit of machines and production lines that were not possible before. These solutions increase flexibility, adaptivity, and modularity, resulting in cost-effectiveness, increased productivity, and downtime reduction. Embraced by industrial leaders, CoreTigo’s solutions are based on the IO-Link Wireless global standard, which is fit for harsh factory environments and motion control applications, providing the most reliable wireless connectivity for millions of sensors, actuators, and industrial devices worldwide.
Featured image credit: Gilles Rolland-Monnet/Unsplash
