The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
LCCC hosts event on the Internet of Things
Local manufacturers gathered Dec. 20 at Lorain County Community College, 1005 Abbe Road in Elyria, for a presentation put on by Team NEO on how the Internet of Things can help their production.
Team NEO, a business development organization in Cleveland, discussed why businesses should consider connecting their devices and machines, allowing them to exchange data.
Team NEO CEO Bill Koehler said there is an opportunity for Lorain County.
“There is the potential for growth … looking at the area regionally,” Koehler said. “We want to embrace dialogue in the area and do what we can to educate local manufacturers on how to use the Internet of Things to increase productivity.”
Jacob Duritsky, vice president of strategy and research at Team NEO, said the Internet of Things pulls data from multiple places.
“The IoT (Internet of Things) features multiple sources sharing data ... the data is then analyzed to improve efficiency,” Duritsky said. “We hold interviews with companies to better understand the needs of the business in the region. This technology is game changing.”
David Knowles, digital transformation accelerant at Rockwell Automation, was part of a panel discussing the implementation of the Internet of Things for a business.
“I’m glad it’s something that is being brought to the forefront,” Knowles said. “I’m glad this raises awareness.
“Having devices connected is how businesses are going to be successful in this global economy. It’s imperative for a business to see how they can apply the Internet of Things.”
Knowles said the adoption of the technology does take time.
“Our business is only on the cusp; we’re not all there yet,” he said. “Businesses need to look at what problems they have that the technology can help solve.”
The other member of the panel, Ed Yenni, president of LogiSync, said the implementation feels like a start over, but it’s important for business growth.
“We recognize a need for such a tool,” Yenni said. “It’s the type of thing you would see from businesses on the coasts; it’s time for northeast Ohio to enjoy that level of economic prosperity.
“It starts with having people at the top of the company that are willing to adopt the technology, and having a plan of where the technology is needed.”
Marcia Ballinger, president of LCCC, said college is adopting the Internet of Things.
“As a higher education partner involved in creating the road map for the Internet of Things, our focus is on how we rethink educational programming in collaboration with employers,” Ballinger said. “This is a significant component to eliminating the skills gap employers are facing throughout the region.”