In the previous part, we discussed how security and privacy must be built into IIoT systems from the ground up. But even the most secure architecture is just paper without the right people to design, implement, and maintain it. Industrial IoT isn't just about connecting machines. It's about connecting expertise.
Many organizations underestimate how different IIoT projects are compared to traditional automation or IT projects. They require hybrid expertise: engineers who understand production processes and automation systems, developers who know industrial protocols, and data specialists who can turn sensor data into competitive advantage. These skills are rarely found in one person, or even one team. The result? Promising projects stall at the pilot stage or fail to scale because no one has the complete picture and nobody can bridge OT and IT into a functioning system.
Successful IIoT projects are built on having the right expertise available at each stage. Rather than just defining roles, organizations should ensure they have, or can acquire, at least the following capabilities:
By acquiring these expertise profiles either internally or through trusted partners, organizations can build a foundation that supports continuous improvement and innovation.
While developing internal expertise is important, covering all IIoT capabilities through recruitment alone can be slow, expensive, and inefficient. Technologies evolve faster than recruitment cycles, and OT/IT hybrid specialists are scarce. Additionally, different expertise is needed at different project stages, and most companies don't have use for a full-time UX designer, for example.
Instead, leading organizations focus on their core competencies and supplement them with external expertise.
Leveraging specialized IIoT partners provides current knowledge, proven practices, and a scalable team while maintaining strategic control of the overall transformation.
At the heart of every successful IIoT project are people who learn, adapt, and collaborate across traditional boundaries. By combining internal learning with strong partnerships, organizations can move faster, manage risks better, and turn complexity into competitive advantage.
IIoT projects require a skilled and motivated team that masters multiple technologies and processes. When you get the right people together, the benefits are significant and you might be surprised how many working solutions can be built on top of your existing equipment.
Coming up next in the series: More Data to Decisions: How industrial information becomes business value
