The Internet of Things: Success or bust?
Posted by Information Age on September 13, 2017:
The Internet of Things is beginning to transform how a range of industries operate. The increasing volume of data flowing through these internet-connected devices is growing every day, influencing decisions and optimising processes. But how far can the IoT really go?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most talked about and impactful emerging technology trends that is redefining both business and society. There are three broad areas of IoT investment: consumer, industrial and enterprise. The last of these is being implemented on a smaller scale for the time being compared with the others, which are in a more mature state.
In these spheres, the IoT – a growing network of internet-connected devices that collects an incredible amount of data – is helping organisations glean greater insights, drive more efficient processes and transform the relationship between the consumer and the enterprise (and the collaboration between internal departments).
The explosion of data being generated and connected through IoT devices, anything from industrial machines to smart fridges, is leading organisations into a period of necessary innovation. The more devices there are, and the more data that is collated effectively via analytics, the more effective and transformative this innovation will be.
Many companies are excruciatingly aware of the power of the IoT, but do not implement an effective IoT strategy.
'A successful IoT strategy,' suggests Ben Boswell, area vice president for Europe at World Wide Technology, 'is one where you bring together individuals from the business, from IT and from the day-to-day operations of the type of business process that you're trying to solve.'
Those companies that take a holistic approach – that look at problems that need solving – are those that are most likely to succeed in implementing an IoT strategy in order to meet various business goals.