Want FREE Templates on Strategy & Transformation? Download our FREE compilation of 50+ slides. This is an exclusive promotion being run on LinkedIn.







Flevy Management Insights Q&A
How is the rise of IoT (Internet of Things) influencing Jishu Hozen practices in smart factories?


This article provides a detailed response to: How is the rise of IoT (Internet of Things) influencing Jishu Hozen practices in smart factories? For a comprehensive understanding of Jishu Hozen, we also include relevant case studies for further reading and links to Jishu Hozen best practice resources.

TLDR IoT is revolutionizing Jishu Hozen in smart factories by enabling Predictive Maintenance, providing real-time data for Continuous Improvement, and empowering operators, aligning with Operational Excellence goals.

Reading time: 4 minutes


The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) is significantly transforming the landscape of manufacturing, particularly in the realm of Jishu Hozen or autonomous maintenance practices within smart factories. This integration of IoT technologies into manufacturing processes is not only enhancing efficiency and productivity but also revolutionizing how organizations approach maintenance and equipment management. By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, IoT is enabling a more proactive and predictive maintenance strategy, which is a cornerstone of the Jishu Hozen philosophy.

Enhanced Predictive Maintenance

The primary influence of IoT on Jishu Hozen practices is the shift towards enhanced predictive maintenance. Traditional maintenance strategies often rely on scheduled checks and reactive measures, which can lead to unnecessary downtime and increased costs. IoT technologies, however, facilitate a more nuanced approach by continuously monitoring equipment performance and predicting failures before they occur. Sensors embedded in machinery collect data on various parameters such as temperature, vibration, and pressure, which, when analyzed, can indicate the imminent risk of failure. This allows for maintenance to be conducted just in time to prevent breakdowns, aligning perfectly with the Jishu Hozen principle of preventing equipment deterioration.

For instance, a report by McKinsey highlights that predictive maintenance enabled by IoT can reduce machine downtime by up to 50% and extend the life of machines by years. This not only ensures higher availability and reliability of equipment but also significantly reduces maintenance costs. Organizations are now able to shift from a cost-center view of maintenance to one that contributes to Operational Excellence and value creation.

Moreover, IoT-driven predictive maintenance supports the Jishu Hozen practice of empowering operators to take care of their equipment. With IoT, operators receive actionable insights and early warnings on their machines' health, enabling them to address issues proactively rather than reacting to breakdowns. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement and ownership among the workforce, which is central to Jishu Hozen.

Explore related management topics: Operational Excellence Continuous Improvement Value Creation Just in Time Jishu Hozen

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Real-time Data for Continuous Improvement

The IoT revolution in smart factories provides an unprecedented volume of real-time data, which is instrumental in driving Continuous Improvement—a key aspect of Jishu Hozen. This data, when properly analyzed, offers deep insights into the performance and efficiency of manufacturing processes, highlighting areas for improvement. For example, IoT can help identify patterns of wear and tear on equipment that are not immediately obvious, enabling fine-tuning of operations to mitigate these effects.

Accenture's research underscores the importance of real-time data in manufacturing, noting that organizations leveraging IoT for real-time insights can achieve up to a 30% improvement in manufacturing efficiency. This efficiency gain is achieved through the optimization of production processes, minimized equipment failures, and the elimination of unnecessary maintenance activities, all of which contribute to the Jishu Hozen objectives of eliminating losses and inefficiencies.

Furthermore, real-time data analytics support the Jishu Hozen pillar of autonomous management by providing operators and frontline managers with the information they need to make informed decisions quickly. This democratization of data empowers individuals at all levels of the organization, fostering a sense of responsibility and enhancing the collective ability to maintain and improve equipment and processes.

Explore related management topics: Data Analytics

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

Several leading manufacturers have successfully integrated IoT with Jishu Hozen practices to achieve remarkable results. For example, a prominent automotive manufacturer implemented IoT sensors across its production lines to monitor equipment performance in real-time. This initiative led to a significant reduction in unplanned downtime and a 20% improvement in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The organization was able to identify subtle signs of equipment wear and perform maintenance activities during scheduled downtimes, thereby avoiding costly disruptions.

Another example is a multinational food and beverage company that utilized IoT to enhance its maintenance strategy. By analyzing data from IoT sensors, the company could predict equipment failures with high accuracy, allowing for timely maintenance interventions. This proactive approach resulted in a 25% reduction in maintenance costs and a 30% decrease in downtime, directly contributing to improved production efficiency and profitability.

These examples underscore the transformative potential of integrating IoT with Jishu Hozen practices in smart factories. By enabling predictive maintenance, providing real-time data for continuous improvement, and empowering operators, IoT is not just enhancing the efficiency and reliability of manufacturing processes but also fostering a culture of proactive maintenance and continuous improvement.

The integration of IoT into Jishu Hozen practices represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of smart factories. It not only enhances the effectiveness of maintenance strategies but also aligns with the broader goals of Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement. As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of the digital age, the synergy between IoT and Jishu Hozen will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of manufacturing.

Explore related management topics: Overall Equipment Effectiveness

Best Practices in Jishu Hozen

Here are best practices relevant to Jishu Hozen from the Flevy Marketplace. View all our Jishu Hozen materials here.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Explore all of our best practices in: Jishu Hozen

Jishu Hozen Case Studies

For a practical understanding of Jishu Hozen, take a look at these case studies.

Autonomous Maintenance Initiative for Electronics Retailer in Competitive Landscape

Scenario: A mid-sized electronics retailer with a wide-reaching store network is facing challenges in maintaining operational efficiency due to ineffective Autonomous Maintenance practices.

Read Full Case Study

Autonomous Maintenance Advancement for Electronics Manufacturer

Scenario: The organization is a mid-sized electronics manufacturer specializing in high-precision components, facing challenges in maintaining equipment efficiency and reducing downtime.

Read Full Case Study

Operational Excellence in Power & Utilities

Scenario: The organization is a regional power utility company that has been facing operational inefficiencies within its maintenance operations.

Read Full Case Study

Autonomous Maintenance Initiative for Maritime Shipping Leader

Scenario: The organization, a prominent player in the maritime shipping industry, is grappling with inefficiencies in its Autonomous Maintenance program.

Read Full Case Study

Autonomous Maintenance Transformation for Beverage Company in North America

Scenario: A mid-sized beverage firm, renowned for its craft sodas, operates in the competitive North American market.

Read Full Case Study

Autonomous Maintenance Enhancement in Telecom

Scenario: A telecom firm in North America is struggling with its Autonomous Maintenance program.

Read Full Case Study


Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies

Related Questions

Here are our additional questions you may be interested in.

How can Jishu Hozen principles be applied to enhance customer satisfaction and experience?
Applying Jishu Hozen principles improves customer satisfaction and experience by empowering frontline employees, enhancing product and service reliability, and engaging customers through Continuous Improvement. [Read full explanation]
What role does organizational culture play in the successful adoption of Autonomous Maintenance?
Organizational Culture is crucial for Autonomous Maintenance success, emphasizing Continuous Improvement, Empowerment, and Proactive Behavior, with leadership and strategic alignment playing key roles in overcoming challenges and achieving Operational Excellence. [Read full explanation]
What strategies can executives employ to align Jishu Hozen initiatives with global supply chain resilience?
Executives can align Jishu Hozen with global supply chain resilience by focusing on Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Employee Engagement, Training, and leveraging Technology for predictive maintenance and enhanced visibility. [Read full explanation]
What metrics should be used to evaluate the success of Autonomous Maintenance programs?
Evaluating Autonomous Maintenance programs involves metrics like Overall Equipment Effectiveness, Mean Time Between Failure, cost reductions, and cultural change indicators such as Employee Satisfaction, highlighting their contribution to Operational Excellence. [Read full explanation]
How does Autonomous Maintenance drive continuous improvement in the context of Operational Excellence?
Autonomous Maintenance empowers operators to maintain their equipment, driving Operational Excellence by reducing downtime, improving productivity, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. [Read full explanation]
What are the challenges of aligning Autonomous Maintenance practices with Reliability Centered Maintenance principles?
Aligning Autonomous Maintenance with Reliability Centered Maintenance involves challenges such as balancing operator empowerment with specialized knowledge, data integration, Strategic Alignment, cultivating a supportive Organizational Culture, and effective Change Management. [Read full explanation]
How can Jishu Hozen be effectively integrated with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) to enhance asset reliability?
Integrating Jishu Hozen with RCM creates a resilient maintenance framework that improves asset reliability, reduces downtime, and increases productivity through employee empowerment and strategic analysis. [Read full explanation]
How can Jishu Hozen be adapted for service-oriented sectors beyond manufacturing?
Adapting Jishu Hozen for service sectors involves empowering employees for process improvement, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of ownership and continuous improvement for enhanced customer satisfaction. [Read full explanation]

Source: Executive Q&A: Jishu Hozen Questions, Flevy Management Insights, 2024


Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials



Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.