Short history – In the early stages of the internet, web content was created by only a few authors. Since 2002, the interaction of users and websites changed to an “Internet of people” (also known as Web 2.0), where content is created and consumed by various user groups. In the last decade, more and more devices are connected to the internet and continuously contribute data. Every connected thing becomes content provider. Smart things continuously generate data and (many of them) respond to requests. Things have brought the next evolution of the internet: the “Internet of Things” (short form IoT).
There exists many definitions what IoT is. In my opinion, the following statement is a very good definition of IoT:
The “Internet of Things” describes a vision where objects become part of the internet: where every object is uniquely identified, and accessible to the network, its position and status known, where services and intelligence are added to this expanded internet, fusing the digital and physical world, ultimately impacting on our professional, personal and social environments.
(Source: Louis Coetzee and Johan Ekstee: The internet of things – promise for the future? An introduction)
Similar to the time back, when the internet and Web 2.0 changed how we interact online, the Internet of Things introduces major changes. Those who occupy with IoT will find new interesting chances. Those who ignore it, can risk a lot – up to loosing all their customers.
Devices connected with the internet provide new opportunities for customers and the manufacturer itself.
Until now, products were produced and sold to customers. A manufacturer normally has never seen the sold product again. Questionaries were used to collect information how the products were used. This method produced high costs and error prone results. With IoT enabled devices, manufacturers get continously accurate data from the devices. This is an absolute new way of collecting high quality data. This data allows to make accurate analysis on product usage, for example which functionalities are used and which not, or which problems occurr. This allows to focus on important functionalities and build more customer loved products.
Connected products, like connected car, can trigger actions based on current happenings. For example car incident triggers an emergency alarm. This alarm notifies an emergency doctor and the street signs adapt such that subsequent cars get proper instructions.
Another examples are bridges eqiupped with sensors to measure the quality of constitutens of the bridge. Only in case, suspicious data is measured, an expert inspects the bridge on side.
Have a look over the edge and see the chances IoT provides you!
IoT is a complex, multidimensional transformation, demanding new skill sets, technologies, and business models. Assemble the right team to work on your IoT journey so that you don’t risk failure because no experts were involved.
IoT experts know the pitfalls of IoT, the concepts, standards and constraints that have to be considered when realizing your IoT vision.
I have seen many projects where the IoT product or solution was developed like any other software project. The result were for example thermostats that control the temperature only when they are connected to the internet – during a cold winter storm people were not able to switch on their heating because the internet was not working. Another similar example I have seen in a smart city project where street lamps switch on or off when they get a corresponding command from the server.
Imagine, your IoT devices are hijacked and used for DDoS attacks. Or the IoT data from your smart devices used by your customers are leaked. Non trusted parties that have access to this data can get a lot of insights based on this data.
These are only few example about what can go wrong in an IoT project. With experts on board mistakes like this will not happen.