What Is Industrial IoT (IIoT) and How Does It Work with PLC and SCADA?

Most factories already collect data. IIoT makes it visible and useful from anywhere.

Factories already run PLCs, sensors and SCADA, but the data usually stays on a local screen. IIoT takes it out through an edge gateway (OPC UA or MQTT over TLS) to a server or cloud where it can be stored, analysed and shared.

• Sensors measure temperature, pressure, flow, vibration and current
• PLC/DCS runs the control logic locally
• SCADA/HMI shows operators what is happening
• Gateway forwards data outward, read-only in most designs
• Dashboards and analytics give remote monitoring, predictive maintenance and OEE tracking

Control and safety stay local. IIoT adds visibility on top, and OT and IT networks should be kept separate.