According to the latest study by IDC, most companies in Germany are currently still busy with research (20%), evaluation (30%), planning (20%) and pilot projects (9%) on the subject of IIoT. As a result, IIoT usage in German industry has remained at a low level for around two years.

Despite the propagated benefits, IIoT is only slowly gaining acceptance in Germany. According to IDC, this is partly due to the economic situation in recent years, which has been characterized by crises. Key business figures such as profit and costs (40%), productivity (38%) and customer loyalty (29%) have become the focus of business. However, the reasons for the low level of IIoT adoption are less to do with a lack of will or interest and more to do with the challenges of implementation itself. Skepticism, a lack of know-how and outdated technologies are at the forefront. According to IDC, these challenges for IIoT can be overcome with the help of five recommendations:

1. develop a holistic data and analytics strategy

Only just over one in ten (13%) German industrial companies have already created a holistic data and analytics strategy to integrate all IIoT projects. At 58%, the data and analytics objectives are aligned with a short-term business strategy. Just under a quarter (23%) focus on isolated projects. However, a comprehensive strategy is absolutely central to the success of digital transformation in the industry.

2. accelerate IT/OT integration at all levels

IIoT extends from the sensor on or in the industrial device to the central data centers and cloud environments of IT. IT and OT teams must therefore work together to ensure that IIoT applications are implemented with the required quality. However, in 28% of German industrial companies, the IT and OT teams are still completely separate. Nevertheless, this proportion is expected to fall to 5% within 12 months and the proportion of companies with close collaboration between OT and IT is set to rise from 17% to 33%.

3. define responsibilities for cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is central to IT/OT integration. The most common concern for 28% of respondents is the lack of communication between IT and OT about common threats. Accordingly, the proportion of companies where IT and OT share responsibility for cybersecurity will rise from 12% at present to 29% in 12 months' time. If implemented correctly, IIoT can be a significant benefit for OT security: it increases transparency and detects unauthorized access.

4. define goals, measure success, establish decision-making rules

Of the companies that are implementing at least IIoT pilot projects, only a third are currently measuring success metrics. A further 22% of them are at least evaluating initial key figures and their suitability. "There is a lot of catching up to do when it comes to measuring success and managing projects so that valuable IIoT budgets don't go to waste," summarizes Marco Becker, Senior Consultant at IDC and head of the study.

5 Realize synergies by combining IIoT and sustainability

Through sustainability, companies not only benefit from a better reputation and fewer risks, but also from direct savings. Two thirds (67%) of those surveyed see the reduction of waste, raw materials, energy and CO2 as a win-win scenario. Almost as many (65%) believe that sustainability promotes innovation. In addition, 55% believe that sustainability has a positive impact on their own business, even in the short term. According to 61%, IIoT is essential for the success of industrial sustainability initiatives.