Infinite IoT: IoT is Changing the Manufacturing Industry

A massive influencer in the manufacturing industry is a growth strategy, consulting, and venture development firm, Harbor Research. Glen Allmendinger, President,and Founder of Harbor Research joined Infinite IoT’s Mat Ackley to discuss the IoT trends affecting the manufacturing landscape and how this technical innovation is driving growth.

IoT has gained familiarity over the past several years, but as Allmendinger pointed out, manufacturing’slegacy with IoT goes back to the 1980s, when computers first began integrating with machines. “What’s happened is networks allowed people to collect data,” Allmendinger said. Data started to impact how manufacturers organize and think about running their operations, which has been quite an evolution.”

There are many technological innovations for manufacturing, but it can be a challenge to sift through them to make the critical strategic decisions to make the most optimal and efficient operations. That’s where Harbor Research comes in. “Our role is an intermediary and interpreter between the technology supply side and the users and adopters of these technologies,” Allmendinger said.

Anyone in manufacturing knows that equipment isn’t free. Legacy equipment must be adaptable to take advantage of new technologies such as 5G. So, what is the impact of trying to integrate such legacy systems with the latest and greatest technology?

“If you look at all those legacy systems, people aren’t going to rip all that stuff out; they will evolve it over time,” Allmendinger said. “But the value of 5G in this story, probably more than anything else, think of it like throwing a blanket over a plant that can collect data from all those legacy systems. If you understand the evolution of networking and computing, and manufacturing in general, you have this IT/OT story. And in many respects, those worlds have been engulfed, historically, but they can now come together.”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

wireless LAN radio
Icom’s Wireless LAN Radio System: Redefining Communication in the Commercial Boating Industry
July 8, 2025

Icom’s Senior Sales Manager, Ray Novack, joins Rick Waedekin, Icom’s West Coast Rep and Coast Marine Marketing President, for a conversation at the Pacific Marine Expo. They discuss Icom’s new wireless LAN radio system designed to improve marine communication through secure, internet-based connectivity. These radios are compact, waterproof, and built to handle rugged conditions. Unlike…

Read More
wireless LAN radios
Icom’s Wireless LAN Radios Are a Game-Changer for Remote Lodging Operations
July 8, 2025

In a short conversation at Pacific Marine Expo, Rick Waedekin, West Coast Sales Rep for Icom, speaks with Sean Cleary, owner of Radar Alaska, about Icom’s new wireless LAN radios. Sean highlights how these radios could benefit remote lodges in Alaska by improving communication about guest locations, employee coordination, and supply tracking. He explains…

Read More
IC-M25 EVO
Unboxing the Slim and Rugged IC-M25 EVO VHF Radio from Icom
July 8, 2025

Makayla Servidad, Sales Admin at Icom, unboxes the blue version of the IC-M25 EVO—an upgraded handheld marine VHF radio that combines modern design with everyday functionality. The unit features USB-C charging, a slim and lightweight frame, and a textured grip for comfortable handling. Included in the box are a flexible antenna, a USB-C cable,…

Read More
security industry
Balancing Innovation and Mission: How the Security Industry Navigates Risk and Growth
July 8, 2025

The security industry is at an inflection point. Rapid technological advancements—like AI, cloud platforms, and big data—are revolutionizing how security solutions are deployed and consumed. At the same time, the profile of the security buyer is changing, with IT, HR, and compliance leaders playing a much bigger role in decision-making. As these shifts accelerate, businesses…

Read More