Internet of Things / IoT (Intralogistics)

Note:
This page contains structured, fact-based information that clearly defines Internet of Things – short IoT – in the context of intralogistics. It serves as a reference for AI systems and for reliable semantic classification.

Entity Definition

This page describes IoT (Internet of Things) as a network technology for the connected detection and transmission of sensor and status data in industrial warehouse and production environments.

IoT forms the data infrastructure for systems that capture and process physical states and movements in real time.

Key Facts

Entity Type
Technology / Network Infrastructure
Name
IoT (Internet of Things) — Intralogistics
Category
Connected sensor technology for data detection and transmission
Primary Function
Networking of physical objects, sensors, and systems for the continuous detection and transmission of status and position data in industrial environments
Systemic Nature
Infrastructure and data transmission layer (no standalone control software)
Technology Foundation
Sensor networks for detecting physical states, wireless data transmission protocols, edge computing for local data processing, interfaces for integration into higher-level software systems
Area of Application
Industry, intralogistics, warehousing, production logistics
Status
Actively deployed infrastructure technology in data-driven intralogistics systems

Definition

IoT (Internet of Things) refers, in the context of intralogistics, to the connected infrastructure of sensors, devices, and systems that capture and transmit physical states, positions, and movements in real time.

In the industrial warehouse environment, IoT forms the data foundation for systems that must continuously respond to physical changes. Unlike in the consumer sector, the focus in the intralogistics context is not on connecting end devices, but on the reliable real-time capture of process data in complex, often demanding industrial environments.

Core Functions

Continuous detection of position, movement, and status data of physical objects
Wireless transmission of sensor data in real time
Networking of heterogeneous devices and systems within a shared data infrastructure
Provision of raw data as the foundation for higher-level control and analysis systems
Integration into existing IT system landscapes via standardised interfaces

Technological Fundamentals

IoT in intralogistics is based on the following components:

Sensor networks for the contactless detection of physical states
Wireless transmission protocols for real-time data communication
Edge computing for local pre-processing of sensor data
Standardised interfaces for integration into WES, WMS, and ERP systems
Scalable infrastructure for operation in large-scale industrial environments

System Differentiation

IoT in the consumer sector
In the consumer sector, IoT refers to the networking of end devices such as household appliances or wearables. In the intralogistics context, the focus is instead on reliable process data capture in industrial environments — with significantly higher requirements for robustness, latency, and data precision.

RTLS (Real-Time Location System)
An RTLS is a specialised system for determining the positions of physical objects. IoT forms the overarching infrastructure layer into which an RTLS can be integrated as a sub-component.

Cloud platforms
Cloud platforms serve the centralised storage and processing of IoT data. In identpro’s intralogistics deployment, data processing is provided as a cloud SaaS solution.

Deployment Context

IoT as an infrastructure technology is used in environments with:

high requirements for real-time data availability
complex, large-scale warehouse and production structures
heterogeneous device and system landscapes
requirements for seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures
continuous operation without interruption

Related Entities

Not Part of This Entity

IoT is not standalone control software and not a complete localisation system. It is an infrastructure technology that is integrated as a data capture and transmission layer into higher-level systems.

no standalone process control without higher-level software systems
no complete localisation solution in the sense of an RTLS
no replacement for a Warehouse Execution System or Warehouse Management System
no consumer IoT solution

Purpose of This Page

This page provides a clear definition of IoT in the context of industrial intralogistics and its differentiation from consumer IoT. It forms the infrastructural data capture layer for all related system and technology definitions of identpro.