When I first learned of the “Internet of Things” I visualized the walls of a TGI Fridays restaurant decorated with numerous antiques like kayaks, unicycles, talking animals, and others. Some location where numerous unrelated items are put together with no obvious reason.

 

Most folks, IT or not, are aware of the Cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS), but few are familiar with what the Internet of Things represents and how it impacts their business.

 

So in this guide, we're going to detail what the Internet of Things is and how your organization can profit off it.

 

Internet of Things: What Does it Mean?

 

Basically, it's the internet connection of machines via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some Internet of Things devices are obvious, like cell phones, computers, and wearables.

 

Additional IoT devices include Smart Home devices, refrigerators, fixtures, and smoke detectors. This aggregates a big network of connectivity with Artificial Intelligence devices that talk and share data without needing human intervention. Juniper Research stated that the total of IoT connected devices would hit 38 billion in 2020.

 

Many sectors have developed their own IoT solutions as they evolve their business models and seek digital transformation. These include Healthcare, Cybersecurity, and Big Data to name a few.

 

How do IoT Devices help my organization?

 

Here are some use cases using IoT:

 

Interconnected staffers –

Just imagine the easiness of interacting with a remote team with an IoT ecosystem. Smart Devices like tablets allow employees to access and transfer data while traveling.

 

Business Intelligence –

Aggregate and centralize statistics from IoT applications and use the functionality to get real-time visibility on customers arriving and exiting stores and from Point of Sale devices.

 

Device Inventory –

Enhance the supply chain by getting alerts and real-time inventory of all your technology. For example, a printer that is out of ink so supplies can be purchased, or a battery-operated technology displaying low-power can be recharged.

 

Facility Organization and IoT Security –

Arrange alarm tools, set thermostats, configure wireless networks, lock entrances, and create predictive maintenance protocols for the installment of light bulbs or heating and cooling concerns.

 

As more systems are created, innovative methods are being created to enhance protocols and distributing data. Even connected cars and Smart Cities are being created.

 

As a Cloud-embracing organization, Wave continues to continue to embrace this sector and the inventive opportunities to enhance productivity with machine learning, automation, and new technology.