IIoT & Analytics Glossary
For Industrial Manufacturing
Even for experts in the field, IIoT terminology can be a lot to keep up with. Whether you need to refresh your memory or need a clearer definition on something, we’ve compiled this glossary of common terms and phrases for you to reference.
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Advanced Analytics
Advanced analytics is an umbrella term for a group of high-level methods and tools that are used to more fully and deeply analyze data. The predictive capabilities of advanced analytics can be used to predict trends, events, and behaviors giving organizations the ability to perform advanced statistical models such as “what-if” calculations and to better plan for various future aspects of their operations. Some of the areas that make up advanced analytics include advanced pattern recognition and machine learning, semantic and graph analysis, data and text mining, complex event processing, predictive analytics, data visualizations, and more. This area is constantly expanding and improving bringing about even more advanced analytics capabilities.
Aggregation
Aggregation is the process of collecting and summarizing data for statistical analysis.
Analytics
Analytics is the process of searching for and communicating about meaningful patterns in data with the goal of gaining insight to make data-driven decisions.
Application (Application Program)
Application (application program) is a software program that runs on your computer such as Web browsers, e-mail programs, word processors, games, and utilities. The word “application” is used because each program has a specific application for the user.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with humans. AI enables computers and machines to mimic the perception, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities of the human mind.
Asset Framework
Asset framework is a hierarchy tree depicting the high level assets, sub assets, and individual sensors at the leaf level of the tree.
Autoclave
Autoclave is a strong heated container used for chemical reactions and other processes using high pressures and temperatures, e.g. steam cleaning and sterilization.
Big Data
Big Data is the extremely large and diverse sets of data that is defined by its volume of information, its velocity or speed at which it is created and collected, and its variety or scope of the data points being covered.
Cloud Deployment Mode
Cloud deployment mode is the deployment of software on a cloud server outside an organization.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is computer data storage in which digital data is stored in servers generally located in multiple locations and owned and managed by a hosting company. These cloud storage providers are responsible for keeping the data available and accessible and the physical environment protected and running. People and organizations buy or lease storage capacity from the providers to store their data.
Context Data
Context data includes manufacturing process information about quality, maintenance events, operational events, environmental conditions, and process performance. This information typically resides in external business applications.
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Context Item
Context item is one specific piece of information about the manufacturing process.
Dashboard
Dashboard is a panel that shows operational and instrument vitals/readings and that helps process experts to monitor the most important production KPIs in one central point of access. It enables manufacturers to track and optimize the production quality and is a valuable analytics tool to manage all related manufacturing costs efficiently.
Data-Driven Decisions
Data-driven decisions are decisions made based on data/information, not experience, hunches, or intuition.
Data Lakes
Data lakes are centralized repositories of structured and unstructured data at any scale. Data is stored without having to first structure the data and then run different types of analytics. Data lakes are typically “cold storage” so not ideal for high performance direct IO applications.
Data Mining
Data mining is the process of turning raw data into useful information by using software to look for meaningful patterns.
Data Silos
Data silos are repositories of fixed data that remain under the control of one group or department and that are isolated from the rest of the organization.
Data Source
Data source is the primary location where the data that is being used comes from.
Diagnostic Analysis
Diagnostic analysis is a form of advanced analytics which examines data or content to answer the question “Why did it happen?”, and is characterized by techniques such as drill-down, data discovery, data mining and correlations. Diagnostic analytics takes a deeper look at data to attempt to understand the causes of events and behaviors.
Digital Transformation (Digitalization)
Digital transformation (digitalization) is the transformation and thus improvement of operations by implementing digital technologies.
Driver (Device Driver)
Driver (device driver) is a software program that enables a specific hardware device to work with a computer’s operating system.
Fingerprint
Fingerprint is the search capabilities of the TrendMiner software that can be used to find and overlay the optimal or suboptimal dynamic behavior, such as your best batches, transitions, start-ups, anomaly patterns, etc. With a click of a button, multiple periods representing the best performance can be combined into an envelope, or fingerprint. The fingerprint can then be used for process monitoring purposes.
Golden Batch Fingerprint
Golden batch fingerprint is the ideal production batch fingerprint against which all other batches are compared for a particular product, recipe, or grade.
Hard Drive
Hard drive is the device that stores all your data. It houses the hard disk, where all your files and folders are physically located.
Hardware
Hardware refers to computer hardware and is the physical parts of a computer and related devices. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and RAM.
Historian
Historian is a digital device used to store industrial manufacturing process data.
IIoT
IIoT is the acronym for “The Industrial Internet of Things” and refers to interconnected sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together in industrial manufacturing environments. This connectivity allows for data collection, exchange, and analysis that potentially facilitates improvements in productivity and efficiency as well as other economic benefits.
Industrial Manifacturing Analytics
Industrial manufacturing analytics is the process of searching for and communicating meaningful patterns in industrial manufacturing data with the goal of gaining insight for making data-driven decisions about industrial manufacturing processes.
Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is the name used to refer to the fourth Industrial Revolution and is the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology.
IoT
IoT is the acronym for “The Internet of Things” and describes the network of physical objects – “things” – that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet.
Machine Learning
Machine learning is the study of computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience. These algorithms build a mathematical model based on sample data, known as “training data”, in order to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed to do so. Machine learning algorithms use computational methods to “learn” information directly from data without relying on a predetermined equation as a model.
Meta Data
Meta data is a set of data that describes and gives information about other data.
On Premise Deployment Mode (on-prem)
On premise deployment (on-prem) refers to the deployment and availability of the software on the premises of an organization.
Operating System (OS)
Operating system (OS) is software that communicates with the hardware and allows other programs to run. It is comprised of system software, or the fundamental files your computer needs to boot up and function. Every desktop computer, tablet, and smartphone includes an operating system that provides basic functionality for the device.
Pattern Recognition
Pattern recognition is the ability to detect patterns in data that yield information about a given system or data set.
Pilot
Pilot is a small-scale test for using TrendMiner software and which will be used to apply on a larger scale.
Plug and Play Devices
Plug and play devices are devices that work with a computer system as soon as they are connected meaning that the user does not have to manually install drivers for the device or even tell the computer that a new device has been added. Instead the computer automatically recognizes the device, loads new drivers for the hardware if needed, and begins to work with the newly connected device. TrendMiner can be instantly downloaded and deployed and used immediately after installation. It fits seamlessly into your current IT landscape on top of a variety of historians, at a single site or across the globe.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics is the branch of advanced analytics which is used to make predictions about unknown future manufacturing events.
Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance are techniques designed to help determine the condition of in-service equipment to estimate the best time for when maintenance should be performed. This approach involves monitoring the condition of assets using sensor devices which supply real-time data that is in turn used to predict when the asset will require maintenance and to prevent equipment failure.
RAM
RAM is the acronym for “Random Access Memory”. RAM is a common hardware component found in electronic devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The amount of RAM in a device determines how much memory the operating system and open applications can use.
Root Cause
Root Cause is the most primary reason for a production line’s drop in quality or a decrease in the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) of an asset.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Root cause analysis (RCA) is the process of investigating the root causes of issues/problems in a manufacturing process.
Self-Service Analytics
Self-service analytics is the software/tool that is designed to be used by process experts who do not have a data science background to analyze industrial manufacturing data themselves in order to gain insight into industrial manufacturing data for making data-driven decisions.
Semi-Structured Data
Semi-structured data is data that does not reside in a relational database or any other data table, but that does have some organizational properties to make it easier to analyze.
Soft Sensors
Soft sensors are software programs which estimate a physical quantity using information from other sensors instead of measuring it directly. These virtual sensors can alleviate the need for more expensive hardware sensors because they provide accurate predictions and are relied upon heavily in the process industry.
Software
Software refers to computer software and is a general term that describes computer programs.
Structured Data
Structured data is data that has been organized into a formatted repository, typically a database with easier accessibility for more effective processing and analysis.
Time-Series Data
Time-series data is data that is captured/collected at specific time intervals. This captured information is recorded and often resides in plant historians but could also be stored in SQL databases or data lakes.
Unstructured Data
Unstructured data is any unorganized and raw data that does not have a recognizable structure.
Value Out of the Box
Value out of the box means that the value/benefits are directly seen. The out-of-the-box TrendMiner platform connects with your existing enterprise data infrastructure, enabling you to start analyzing your time series data almost instantly. Setup and integration are done through configuration rather than customization.
Quick Links
Blog Posts
The Best FactoryTalk VantagePoint Replacement: TrendMiner for Enhanced Data Analytics14 January 2025 - 11:22- Low-code and No-code AI & Analytics Solutions Yield High-Value Use Industrial Use Cases13 September 2024 - 15:19
- Building a Foundation for AI & Analytics with an Industrial Data Fabric30 August 2024 - 23:12
