Skip to main content

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.



-----

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

-----




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

why transform?

Why do I want to change, who said anything was wrong with my stack of papers and sea of Excel files?   We solve problems, that is a key characteristic of any successful service organization, if it isn't broke why fix it?   Often, when discussing a transformation from paper or cobbled together systems to a cohesive digital approach, folks struggle with the gap between what they currently do and how digital tools can help.   You really need to look at where the pain points are in your organization and how these compare to your business objectives.   Consider writing down these points on the whiteboard in no particular order, spend a few days shuffling and consolidating into a prioritized list.   Once you have the "why" and the "what" identified, the old remaining step is "how".   Some of the most popular observations over the years have been; Slipping through the cracks :   you know, not the major muscle movements, instead those little i...
Post a Comment
Read more

entusiastic about preventative maintenance

Why do I really care if my field technicians are enthusiastic or not? When you look at a person's work output, as directly related to workforce sciences, you come up with three primary ingredients required to achieve your desired results.   These ingredients are; attitudes, attributes, and capabilities and when mixed properly with enabling tools can yield unbelievable outputs. So what does any of this have to do with routine maintenance? If your maintenance routines actually become way too routine then pretty soon performance will be replaced with complacency. In order to keep any piece of equipment running as trouble-free as possible the maintenance performed, and the thoroughness of the inspection and tasks at hand, have a direct impact on the asset's life expectancy.   There are some strategies that help service organizations keep the enthusiasm at all-time highs. Switch techs from time to time :   One of the best ways to ensure maintenance is being performed...
Post a Comment
Read more

show me the money

This could definitely be one of those topics where you may be hearing voices. One voice, used when speaking with others, is telling folks that your career and the ability to make a difference is much more important than what you are being paid. While on the other hand your other voice, and I have noticed this voice gets louder and softer depending upon your age and circumstances, may be screaming get as much as you can for the work you're currently performing.   Isn't it really all about purpose?   How else can you explain schoolteachers, police and firemen, and the United States Military; all driven by the visceral desire to help and change people's lives. We certainly know, with the exception of a few in the aforementioned careers, they are not in it for the money (indeed, something seems very backwards here).   Evidence exists (@mercer) that shows if you are paying a worker within the normal range of income for their position then it is likely that being motivated ...
Post a Comment
Read more