The Power Of The Internet Of Things Is Greater Than You Think – Here’s Why

Whether we knew it or not, data has been collected about our lives for decades. Think about it. For over 30 years, we’ve made purchases on credit and debit cards. And of course, there’s the government gathering tax and census information on a consistent basis. Then, everything changed when the world’s first connected device – other than a computer – was a modified Coke machine at Carnegie Mellon University that reported inventory and temperature of loaded drinks. Okay, maybe it didn’t change everything, but it was the start of a new era where everything we do and say leaves a digital fingerprint. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Internet of Things (IoT).

Since that first invention at Carnegie Mellon, the IoT has evolved into a sophisticated network of devices and machines designed to make businesses run simpler. Within the next five years, it’s estimated that there will be 50 billion connected devices. Over 80% of those devices will enable machines to talk to each other – allowing businesses to respond to real-world events and consumer preferences and make the adjustments necessary in real time to stay competitive.

Talk about simplifying operations! No more guesswork and gut reactions. Businesses now operate in a world where data is highly accessible and analyzed for insights that can mean the difference between market leadership and failure.

The Internet of Things is not just about simplification – it’s opportunity, too

When most people hear of the IoT, they focus on the gadget side. They think of a future with automaton robots, connected cars, and automation of every simple, redundant item on our “To Do” list. However, that’s only a small part of its full potential.

All of this connectivity represents a new opportunity for companies move from only selling products to delivering a full-range of services along with the initial product offering. In fact, market-leading companies such as John Deere and BMW are already capitalizing on IoT technology to transform their brand, operations, customer experience, and, even sometimes, the entire industry.

Consider a scenario when sensors are embedded throughout the production lifecycle. Sensors in machines on the production floor can measure industrial parameters such as time, RPMs, vibration, temperature, humidity, and geolocation. All of this information can stream into mobile devices – even wearables – so that managers and workers can make real-time decisions that reduce instances of downtime, breakdowns, and defects. When the product is ready to be inventoried and shipped, warehouse workers can use Google Glass – rather than a handheld device – to scan pallets while keeping their hands free and increasing productivity.

Of course, this is just one example of a whole host of real-life stories that show how The Internet of Things can simplify business, give rise to new opportunities, and enable your workforce to accomplish more with feeling overburdened.

For more insights into The Internet of Things and how to get your organization ready to realize its full potential, check out the article “Is your system ready for 50 billion connected things?“

The Power Of The Internet Of Things Is Greater Than You Think – Here’s Why