The internet of things is coming – are you prepared?

The internet of things (IoT) is about to make major changes in the way we live, work, and play, and if your company isn’t prepared, it could be left behind. Making sure your IT and IoT systems work together means putting in place extra network capacity and having qualified specialists take a look at your business’s systems. Keep reading to learn more about the impact IoT could have on your organization and the steps you can take to work with it – not against it.

What exactly will IoT be used for?

After constantly seeing news articles about how devices that talk to each other without the aid of humans or external computers will change the world, you might still be left scratching your head, thinking “what are the real-life applications?”

The answer could surprise you, as almost every piece of current business technology – whether it be a tractor, a blender, or a weather balloon – can most likely benefit from being connected to the Internet of Things. Here are just a few examples:

● Smart buildings will include self-monitoring and self-regulating heating and cooling systems, lighting systems, equipment monitoring and temperature monitoring for sensitive or secure areas, and fire safety and life safety systems monitoring and communication.

● Smart security systems have smart cameras/CCTV systems with intelligent video analytics with automated control over entrances and exits, internal doors and windows, and alarm systems.

● Smart vehicles: Company cars, trucks, and vans will boast accident and accident-risk monitoring, mileage and route recording, fuel efficiency, speed, and location data.

● Smarter computers: Networks and servers will become more automated (i.e. programmed to purchase more server space, speed or capacity if overwhelmed with data, programmed to rent out server space if underwhelmed, programmed to self-destruct data in the event of a security breach).

While we’re beginning to see many of these technologies being adopted right now, we are only witnessing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding the true potential of IoT technology in the modern world.

How to better prepare your business for the impact of IoT

When looking into preparing your business to meet the demands of IoT, wireless network design should be at the forefront of your plan. While many IoT-connected devices communicate with each other using Bluetooth or other networks, many, if not most, also communicate using wireless networks, and the number of devices competing for a limited amount of bandwidth will only increase as various IoT technologies and devices become more widespread. Some experts recommend business owners and IT specialists design their networks for 10x the amount of devices that are currently connecting.

Examine the specific needs of your business, and look at similar companies using IoT technology

Depending on the type of business your company is in, it may have more or less of a need to adopt early-stage IoT technology. This is one reason why it’s essential to look at fellow businesses in your sector, examine how they’re using the technology, and decide whether some of the solutions they’ve implemented could be useful for your organization.

For example, countless companies in the medical and manufacturing sectors have already begun to use lots of IoT tech on a daily basis – whereas many companies in other, less technical industries haven’t really seen much of the technology yet. This doesn’t necessarily mean that IoT won’t be a huge part of those sectors; it may just mean that the tech hasn’t yet caught up to its true potential.

No matter what kind of industry your company is in, it pays to understand the great potential that IoT has to impact each facet of your environment. From sales and marketing to advertising, customer service, security, and human resources, there seems to be no limit to what IoT might be able to do for companies throughout the world.

To learn more about how to leverage IoT and online strategy to increase your efficiency and bottom line, contact Creative Technology Partners today for a free consultation.