The IoT (Internet of Things) is the ever-growing collection of devices, from smartphones to sensor-equipped production robots, from home automation apps to remotely controllable pacemakers, that are interconnected via the Internet.
Thanks to this interconnection, they can send and receive data, facilitating a wide range of actions in everyday life and in the corporate and business world.
The IoT sector is so (rightly) popular that by 2025, analysts from the International Data Corporation (IDC) predict that there will be more than 55.7 billion connected devices on the market, 75% of which will be connected to an IoT platform.
What is IoT?
IoT, or Internet of Things, is a broad term that refers to many types of devices connected to the Internet.
These devices can be anything from shipping labels and speakers to cars and planes: an object that, despite not being a computer, manages to connect and talk to other devices, falls under the IoT umbrella.
Reflecting on this definition, we can already get a glimpse of the fundamental impact of this field in the industrial and B2B sphere.
Yes, because the IoT includes – among many examples – smart sensors, smart bulbs, security systems and heavy industrial machinery, medical technological instrumentation, automotive components, apps and management systems for logistics and transport: all elements that communicate with the Internet and work with it and thanks to it.
Industrial Internet of Things
There is also the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which refers to the same principles but is used in corporate environments and devices, such as production equipment.
IoT in companies can take many forms but often involves collecting data on behavior, production processes and organizational methods.
The impact of IoT on businesses
Considering the explosion of IoT-connected devices, you may be asking yourself, “How can the IoT impact my business?“
The short answer is, “In every way”.
The accessibility of big data sets, together with the autonomous collection and exchange of data, means that it is becoming easier to obtain information on aspects such as customer behavior, product performance and the performance of production and logistics systems.
IoT also facilitates the continuous optimization of business processes and influences employee engagement and performance. In some B2B sectors, IoT can even instruct systems to autonomously execute transactions in supply chains when certain conditions are met.
There are many exciting new technologies that make the future of IoT incredibly versatile. Some of these include battery-less sensors, a wide range of wearable technologies and tiny machine-learning microcontrollers.
There are also many network modifications that can be implemented to improve the performance of IoT devices. For example, network slicing can provide low-latency, high-bandwidth connections for greater reliability in mission-critical devices.
When combining IoT with technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G, the possibilities for businesses are endless. Entire cities are becoming IoT-powered, improving security, logistics and transportation.
Large manufacturing operations can connect every machine in the facility to a remote monitoring system.
Utility companies can collect data remotely via smart meters and connected infrastructure, and healthcare devices can use the IoT to communicate patients’ status to doctors. With IoT-provided analytics, farmers can optimize their harvest and make valuable predictions for future years.
This is a tremendous resource for many businesses.
In short, the IoT will enable companies to better serve their customers and manage their workforce more efficiently and optimally, as well as improve their products, services and production processes.
How IoT helped during the COVID-19 pandemic
With the dramatic events of 2020, which we all still remember, some of the latest IoT technologies were used to address the problems presented by the global pandemic.
● Smart buildings: secure facilities were vital in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and IoT helped control access and monitor environmental characteristics such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. The IoT can, in fact, connect to systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as to robots for cleaning and air quality monitoring, and much more, to provide the best possible maintenance of building health and sanitation.
● Touchless services: the limitation of physical contact between employees, customers and devices has been promoted with the help of the IoT. From new payment methods to automatic temperature and health screening at the entrance, the IoT can significantly reduce the need for contact.
● Monitoring: many facilities have used the IoT to monitor and track the risk of infection. For example, sensors have been used to assess the number of people in a specific part of the building, as well as tools to monitor the health status of incoming guests or management systems to better organize shifts, movements and crowding.
Overall, IoT and associated technologies have been an invaluable resource in the fight against the pandemic and can still prove helpful in dealing with unforeseen and otherwise tricky situations.
Are you looking for a reliable partner who can guide your company towards the benefits of the Internet of Things? Demiware is the right solution.
We add value to your decision-making and work organization through our IT expertise. Our challenge is to help you make your ideas a reality, in a simple and optimized way, through the support of technological innovation.
Here is how Demiware can meet the IoT needs of your industry:
- Web app/Mobile app: Web, iOS and Android apps
- Legal support: legal support for your IT department
- Augmented/virtual reality: AR and VR projects in the perfect environment
- 3D modelling/software: CAD/CAM, 3D printing, 3D model development
- Internet of Things: embedded systems and applications on customized devices
- Artificial intelligence BigData: chatbots, data warehouses and data analysis