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Who owns the data?


Finally the capital budget allows you to replace some very old equipment.   You can't open a trade magazine without seeing the latest news regarding the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).  Lucky for you the equipment manufacturers are offering an IIoT ready solution packaged with your equipment.  Suddenly your enthusiasm turns to confusion as you review the details of the quote.  What the hell is that subscription fee?  Isn't this equipment mine; lock, stock and barrel?  You mean to tell me that I need to pay the manufacturer, every month,  to give me the luxury of accessing data produced by the equipment I just purchased?  The only explanation has to be new math, at least as a child this is what my parents told me when I asked hard to answer questions.



It's amazing how history repeats itself, we are starting to see manufacturer specific data languages appearing in their "smart" equipment.  Didn't we learn our lesson twenty years ago that holding the customer hostage with access to automation code, parts, and now IIoT data is not a sustainable plan?  We must keep in mind that most of the information presented is a by-product of sensors required to efficiently operate the equipment, great, well done.  If I had a crystal ball I would have the following predictions:

  1. 2018 the allure of IIoT data is a point of differentiation for the manufacturer allowing them to sell products at a premium
  2. 2021 IIoT data will be the ante to even sell equipment, IIoT data will be used as a loss leader following the successful "fremium" licensing model.  Did HP and others make ink jet printers to sell printers?  No way, they wanted to sell printer ink.



Hold your ground, if you are the end user or the service provider, purchase equipment from those allowing access to all data points (not just the ones that are appearing on BacNET point sheets).  Turn the tables and allow the manufacturers to access the data and outcomes that you are creating through your IIoT initiatives.  We have always said the one that turns the wrenches wins; however, I would add the one that owns the data has created a new annuity stream.



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Next post:  from the field to the office

Thoughts?  feel free to leave replies or direct message

See all of the "last mile worker" posts here:  http://lastmileworkersolutions.com

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