Internet of Things (IoT) in maintenance
How IoT/IIoT sensors deliver machine-condition data and how SimplyMobile turns it into work orders, KPIs and failure prediction — in the cloud or on-premise.
What IoT and IIoT are
IoT (Internet of Things) is a network of connected physical devices that exchange data with each other and the cloud through sensors, software and connectivity. In industry we talk about IIoT (Industrial IoT) — the same idea applied to machines, production lines and plant infrastructure, where reliability, security and real-time operation are essential.
In maintenance, IIoT means above all continuous machine-condition monitoring. Instead of waiting for a breakdown or relying solely on periodic inspections, the maintenance team sees the data live and reacts before a fault stops production.
Sensors we connect
More and more machines ship with built-in sensors and a ready API — then we simply read the data. Where sensors are missing, we install battery-powered wireless sensors. They do not require running power or network to every machine — they work independently, and only one central point needs a powered router that collects the readings.
- Vibration sensor — an early sign of bearing wear, imbalance and play.
- Temperature sensor — overheating of joints, motors and gearboxes.
- Current / flow sensor — load and operation of drives.
- Rotational speed sensor — deviations from nominal operation.
Such sensors can also be installed temporarily — to diagnose a specific problem — and then moved to another machine.
From data to decisions
Telemetry alone is just the start. Value appears when IoT data connects with maintenance context in SimplyMobile CMMS:
- Automatic work orders — crossing a threshold (e.g. vibration) creates a report and starts a workflow.
- KPIs and reports — meter readings feed KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, OEE) and usage-based maintenance (operating hours).
- Failure prediction — the Simply ML module learns from history and sensor data to predict failures of critical assets.
- Talking to your data — the SaMi assistant reads current measurements and history in natural language.
Integrations and security
To use IoT to the full, it is worth connecting several plant systems — SCADA, CMMS and ERP. SimplyMobile integrates with existing SCADA controllers and sensors through the integration platform, and processes data in the Microsoft Azure cloud (or on-premise, if your security policy requires it). Transmission is encrypted and access is protected by a granular permissions module.
Frequently asked questions — IoT
- What is the difference between IoT and IIoT?
IIoT (Industrial IoT) is the industrial variant of the Internet of Things — the same concept of connected sensors, but with a focus on reliability, security, operation in harsh conditions and integration with production systems (SCADA, MES, CMMS, ERP).
- Do I have to replace machines to use IoT?
No. New machines often have built-in sensors and an API, but older equipment can be retrofitted with battery-powered wireless sensors — without altering the machine and without running wiring to each one.
- How does sensor data get into the CMMS?
Sensors send readings to a gateway/router, from which the data goes to the cloud and into SimplyMobile CMMS. There it becomes KPIs, triggers work orders once thresholds are exceeded, and feeds the Simply ML prediction module and the SaMi assistant.
- Is IoT data secure?
Yes. We process data in the Microsoft Azure cloud (or on-premise), with encrypted transmission and a granular permissions system that controls who can access which data.
See SimplyMobile in action
Book a free, no-obligation demo — we'll show the system on your own processes.