Predix

Predix. It is an industrial internet operating system developed by General Electric for the collection and analysis of data from industrial equipment. The platform was designed to enable digital transformation for industries such as aviation, power generation, and healthcare, providing a foundation for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. Its core functionality revolves around connecting machines, data, and people to drive insights through analytics and machine learning.

Overview

The platform was created as a cloud computing-based PaaS (Platform as a Service) specifically tailored for industrial applications. It integrates capabilities for asset performance management and operations optimization across a wide array of sectors. Key value propositions include reducing unplanned downtime, improving asset utilization, and enabling new service-based business models. The system is intrinsically linked to the broader concept of the Industrial Internet of Things.

Architecture and components

The technical architecture is built for scalability and security in demanding industrial environments. Its core includes the Predix Cloud, a global network of data centers compliant with standards like ISO 27001. Foundational services encompass the Predix Edge for processing data at the source near devices like gas turbines or MRI machines. The Predix Time Series service ingests and stores high-volume sensor data, while the Predix Analytics framework supports running models developed in R (programming language) or Python (programming language). Security is managed through the Predix Perimeter Security Service.

Applications and use cases

Deployments span major global industries, demonstrating its versatility. In aviation, airlines like Delta Air Lines use it to analyze jet engine data from CFM International products to forecast maintenance needs. Within the energy sector, companies such as Exelon utilize the platform to monitor wind turbine performance across wind farms. The Healthcare industry applies it to optimize the uptime and utilization of hospital equipment from GE Healthcare. Other significant applications exist in rail transport, oil and gas industry, and manufacturing facilities.

Development and deployment

The platform was developed internally by GE Digital, a subsidiary of General Electric. It supports application development through SDKs and APIs, allowing partners and customers to build custom solutions. Deployment models include both public cloud and on-premises implementations for sensitive data. A key ecosystem component is the Predix App Marketplace, where developers can distribute industrial applications. Major implementation partners have included Accenture, Capgemini, and Wipro.

History and evolution

The platform was first announced publicly in 2013 as a central pillar of General Electric's strategy to become a "digital industrial" company. A significant milestone was the 2015 formation of GE Digital to consolidate all software initiatives. In 2016, the company opened the platform to other original equipment manufacturers and developers. By 2018, it was reported to connect over 1.5 million industrial assets globally. Its development and market journey have been closely watched as a bellwether for IIoT platform adoption.

Competitors and market position

It operates in a competitive landscape with other major IIoT and industrial automation platforms. Primary competitors include Siemens with its MindSphere platform, IBM's Watson IoT, and PTC's ThingWorx. Other significant players are Microsoft's Azure IoT, AWS IoT services, and SAP Leonardo. Market analysts like Gartner and IDC frequently evaluate its position in Magic Quadrant and market share reports for industrial IoT platforms. The competitive dynamics are shaped by partnerships, such as those between Microsoft and SAP, and the deep domain expertise of industrial conglomerates like Siemens and ABB Group.