Four Proven Strategies to Simplify Industrial IoT Network Design

Four Proven Strategies to Simplify Industrial IoT Network Design

Industrial IoT (IIoT) systems are evolving rapidly, becoming more distributed and gaining new capabilities. Ericsson’s Mobility Report forecasts 20 billion connected IoT devices by 2023, underscoring the scale and complexity of today’s networks.

1. Understand the Unique Conditions of Industrial Deployments

Industrial networking differs markedly from enterprise or consumer environments. Application demands span transportation, manufacturing, utilities, and healthcare, ranging from relaxed to mission-critical. Physical conditions—such as those in agriculture versus deep mining—require tailored design. Operators must consider reconfigurability for adaptive manufacturing cells, mobile machinery, and long lifecycles that can span decades.

2. Stay Ahead of Rapidly Evolving Technologies

Networking infrastructure and the underlying technologies are in constant flux. New solutions expand connectivity, enabling assets to integrate with enterprise processes. Choices include fieldbuses, industrial Ethernet, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.15.4, and cellular options. Cellular is a key enabler: 4G/LTE and NB-IoT support large-scale deployments with relaxed latency, while 5G NR delivers ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) for mission-critical applications. 5G’s versatility lets it support diverse scenarios within a single system.

3. Leverage Proven IIoT Implementations

Mining has long employed wireless remote control and electrification to enhance safety, efficiency, and autonomy. The industry demands seamless, cost-effective connectivity as equipment moves across coverage zones. Standardized, integrated solutions are essential to maintain contiguous handoffs and support expanding fleets.

4. Tap Expert Ecosystems for Guidance

Successful IIoT networks link machines directly to enterprise information systems, boosting productivity. As automation and edge/cloud services grow, so does the need for robust network support. Organizations such as the Industrial Internet Consortium—whose members include Ericsson, Huawei, and Rockwell Automation—provide frameworks, best practices, and research to help architects design scalable, resilient ecosystems.

Jan Höller is a Research Fellow at Ericsson Research, responsible for IoT technology and research strategies. He founded Ericsson’s IoT research program a decade ago, led multiple EU research projects, and held roles in strategic product and technology management. Since 1999, he has overseen research groups and contributed to the IPSO Alliance board (established 2008). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of OMA SpecWorks and co-chairs the Networking Task Group in the Industrial Internet Consortium.