Harnessing IoT to Navigate the Modern Industrial Revolution

Donna Prlich, chief product officer at Pentaho, shares insights on how IoT can help businesses thrive in an era of rapid technological change.

Just as Emily Brontë used a stark narrative to expose Victorian hypocrisy, IoT data can reveal hidden opportunities in today’s turbulent economic landscape.

With uncertainty dominating global markets, the only certainty for companies is that they must be prepared for multiple outcomes. IoT’s vast data‑analysis capabilities provide the visibility needed to navigate these waves rather than be swept away.

Unlocking IoT’s Full Value

According to a McKinsey study, interoperability among IoT systems is essential to capture 40 % of the technology’s potential value.

When IoT data is combined with big‑data analytics, an additional 20 % value can be realized. Yet most IoT deployments still leave a significant portion of collected data unused.

For insights to be actionable, IoT data must be blended with complementary information in near real‑time—data that is no older than a few minutes or days. Below are two examples from low‑margin industries that illustrate the impact.

Optimizing the Sugar Supply Chain

A global sugar manufacturer has invested in a fully automated refining line that captures sensor data throughout production. The challenge lies in managing the inherent variability of raw sugar sourced from different regions—Peruvian sugar tastes sweeter than its U.S. counterpart.

By integrating qualitative metadata—geographic origin, sugar concentration, and shipping route—with sensor feeds, the company achieved precise quality control and improved demand forecasting, unlocking a competitive edge in a commoditized market.

Reducing Maritime Drag with Predictive Analytics

Cat Asset Intelligence has been monitoring fleets for the U.S. Navy, foreign defense, and commercial sectors. The platform analyzes sensor data from critical vessel equipment to predict failures before they occur, enabling proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime.

Seeking further cost savings, the company examined additional sensor streams, such as fuel consumption, hull drag, and sailing angles. They discovered that barnacles and marine growth create significant drag, driving up fuel costs.

By increasing hull cleaning frequency from once every two years to twice yearly—leveraging Asset Intelligence insights—one customer saved $10 million over two years across eight vessels.

Whether you’re chasing metaphorical heights or tangible performance gains, the lesson is clear: context turns data into a masterpiece.

The author of this blog is Donna Prlich, chief product officer at Pentaho