WHAT IS INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT); AND HOW DOES IT WORK
DEFINITION
What is the internet of things (IoT)?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected computing devices, digital and mechanical machines, living beings, or objects that have unique identifiers (UIDs) and can communicate with each other through a network, without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
A “thing” in IoT could refer to a human with a heart monitor implant, a farm animal with a biochip transponder, a car with built-in sensors that detect low tire pressure, or any other natural or man-made object that can be assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address and can transfer data over a network.
IoT is increasingly being adopted by organizations across various industries to operate more efficiently, gain insights into customer behavior to improve customer service, make better decisions, and add value to their business.
How does IoT work?
In an IoT environment, a collection of internet-connected smart devices with embedded systems such as processors, sensors, and communication hardware work together to collect, send, and process data from their surroundings. The collected sensor data is shared through an IoT gateway or other edge device, where it is analyzed either locally or sent to the cloud for further analysis. At times, these devices interact with each other and act on the information they exchange. While people can interact with the devices by giving them instructions or accessing the data they collect, the devices largely function without human intervention.
The choice of connectivity, networking, and communication protocols used with web-enabled devices depends on the specific IoT applications being used. Furthermore, IoT can utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to simplify and improve data collection processes.
Why is IoT important?
The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a vital role in helping individuals live and work more intelligently, allowing them to take greater control over their lives. Not only does it provide smart devices that can automate homes, but IoT is also integral to the success of businesses. By offering real-time insights into everything from machine performance to logistics operations, IoT allows companies to gain a comprehensive understanding of their systems.
IoT empowers businesses to streamline processes, reduce labor costs, eliminate waste, and enhance service delivery, resulting in lower manufacturing and delivery costs, as well as greater transparency into customer transactions. As such, IoT has become one of the most significant technologies of our time and will continue to gain traction as more businesses recognize the potential of connected devices to help them stay competitive.
What are the benefits of IoT to organizations?
The Internet of Things (IoT) provides numerous advantages to organizations, including both industry-specific benefits and those that are applicable across multiple sectors. Some of the most commonly cited benefits of IoT for businesses include the ability to:
- Monitor and optimize overall business processes
- Improve the customer experience (CX)
- Save time and money
- Boost employee productivity
- Integrate and adapt business models
- Make better-informed business decisions
- Increase revenue generation
By harnessing the power of IoT, businesses can optimize their operations, enhance their relationships with customers, and drive growth and profitability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Other benefits of IoT to organizations are outlined below:
- IoT presents an opportunity for companies to reevaluate their approach to business and provides them with the necessary tools to improve their strategies. While manufacturing, transportation, and utility organizations tend to have the highest concentration of IoT devices and sensors, other industries such as agriculture, infrastructure, and home automation are also beginning to leverage the technology to drive digital transformation.
- In agriculture, for example, IoT devices such as sensors can collect data on factors such as rainfall, humidity, temperature, and soil content to automate farming techniques and streamline operations. Similarly, IoT can help with infrastructure monitoring, with sensors being utilized to detect events or changes in structures like buildings and bridges, resulting in cost savings, time efficiency, improved workflows, and reduced paperwork.
- Home automation businesses can leverage IoT to monitor and control mechanical and electrical systems within buildings, while smart cities can help citizens reduce waste and energy consumption.
- IoT has an impact on every industry, including healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing, demonstrating its potential to transform business operations across a wide range of sectors.
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