IoT (Internet of Things)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices embedded with sensors, actuators, and connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange operational data. In the PLM context, IoT is the data source that feeds the digital thread with as-operated product data — temperature, wear, cycle counts, failure events — closing the loop between as-designed and as-maintained product states. Industrial IoT platforms from PTC (ThingWorx), Siemens (MindSphere, now Insights Hub), and AWS IoT Greengrass are commonly integrated with PLM systems.
Why it matters
Without IoT data, the digital twin is a static model that diverges from reality the moment a product enters service. IoT is the mechanism that keeps the digital twin current: sensor data feeds into the as-maintained configuration record in PLM, which in turn enables predictive maintenance analytics, field-failure driven design changes, and service-BOM accuracy. PLM vendors that lack a credible IoT integration story cannot close the digital thread; it is why PTC acquired ThingWorx and Siemens acquired MindSphere.
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Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “IoT (Internet of Things).” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/iot-internet-of-things