Published on the 03/11/2016 | Written by Fiona Hanlon
Networks and sensing devices set scene for proof-of-concept and production solutions…
Could the Internet of Things (IoT) be the future of technology in business? According to a convincing IDC analyst, speaking at Conferenz’s event in Auckland this week, very much so. Hugh Ujhazy said the IoT has moved on from the component parts to the connection of endpoints data contributors which are improving business processes and lowering the cost of commerce.
Just like fighter pilots need acute situational awareness, Ujhazy said operators in today’s business environment need to be similarly vigilant; he suggested that the IoT can deliver the necessary sensing network to keep a close eye on rapidly changing environments where opportunity, risk and challenges constantly shift. With better warning systems, business can prepare and respond in timeframes which minimise disruption, with a view to reducing costs, improving customer experience and being more competitive. This he summarised by the operational tenet “availability is key” as IoT seeks to bridge the divide between IT and operational technology.
One of the major developments in delivering working IoT solutions is the introduction of low power wide area networks (LPWAN). iStart has previously reported on the introduction of two such networks in New Zealand, including LoRaWAN and SigFox; these networks are, in effect, the missing link for true IoT deployments, providing a dedicated network for low-power, SIM card-free devices which can be powered by a single battery for up to a decade. It is this technology which could revolutionise sectors including facilities management, agriculture, healthcare and logistics.
‘Fog’ was another development that got airtime. Essentially, fog computing is the premise of aggregating and/or removing noise close to the source and producing exception monitoring whereby more useful data is fed in to a decision-making system – the opposite of garbage-in garbage-out if you like.
There was a long list of the good and the bad in IoT, with the good including developments in smart buildings, traffic monitoring with intelligent routing and sensory clothing. The bad, on the other hand, included the internet-enabled crock pot, Fitbark for dogs and sensor nappies. These applications for IoT might be considered a byte too far.
While the IoT is no doubt upon us, the real job seems to be turning all that data into useful, accessible decision making tools for businesses at an operational, tactical and strategic level. For early adopters, advice from the experts is start small with proofs of concept; don’t boil the ocean, and understand that some benefits won’t be obvious until experiments are underway.
