EVERYTHING & EVERYBODY CONNECTED
key digital trends, shaping our future
Working with technology calls for keeping up with its evolving trends and innovations. In this second post of my digital trends’ series, we continue with Everything and Everybody Connected.
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The world is experiencing a seismic shift towards connectivity, where everything and everybody is becoming interconnected. This trend is the main driver behind the current?4th Industrial Revolution (also known as the Smart Industry), we are all living through.
This trend is revolutionizing industries, fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth. By embracing connectivity, companies can unlock new opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.
We see three Dimensions of Connectivity:
??Machine-to-Machine (M2M): Connected devices and sensors enable machines to communicate and exchange data, optimizing operations and driving automation. For instance, in manufacturing, machines can automatically adjust production parameters based on real-time data, enhancing efficiency.
??Machine-to-People (M2P): Connected devices and applications allow machines to interact with individuals, enhancing experiences and convenience. Examples include voice-activated virtual assistants like Amazon's Alexa, which provide personalized assistance and control smart home devices.
??People-to-People (P2P) Collaboration: Connectivity facilitates collaboration and communication between individuals, transcending geographical barriers. Tools like video conferencing and project management platforms enable remote teamwork, fostering innovation and global cooperation.
In our personal lives, connectivity is evident everywhere. Our watches are connected, our fridges can access the internet, our TVs are "smart," and our radiator valves can be controlled via WiFi. Many of us use virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Home.
Large companies are also betting heavily on connectivity:
? Tesla: We all know Tesla, that has led the pack in automative, connecting all its vehicles. Its cars gather data on performance, battery life, and driving patterns, which is analyzed to improve functionality and provide over-the-air (OTA) software updates. And of course, with the aim of full-self driving.
? Airbnb: The Airbnb platform is a great example of a network of connections, that links homeowners with travelers, enabling the sharing economy. This many-to-many connectivity is driving the growth of the sharing economy, where ownership is becoming less necessary.
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? Microsoft: Collaboration tools like TEAMS (and competitive tools like WebEx, Zoom and Slack) promote P2P collaboration across organizations and industries, enabling virtual meetings and teamwork and driving productivity.
? Shell: In the oil industry, Shell is a great example of a company that employs connectivity to improve operational efficiency as well as safety. IoT sensors monitor equipment and environmental conditions in real-time, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing downtime. M2P connectivity allows remote monitoring and control of operations, ensuring swift responses to any issues.
? HEINEKEN: We see the same increase in connectivity we see across many different areas within HEINEKEN. Over 4,000 machines in our breweries are connected with IoT (Internet of Things) as part of the Connected Brewery programme, leading to 200 billion data elements that are streaming into our cloud. Next to that, hundreds of thousands of fridges and Draught Beer machines are integrated in our landscape to analyse equipment and consumer behaviours. And more recently we started to connect ePos machines (cash register data) to use information of transactions to give HEINEKEN insights and help the outlet owner with category advice.
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Some key Technologies that are enabling these different levels of connectivity are the following:
?? Internet of Things (IoT): Connects everyday objects, embedding them with sensors and enabling data exchange. IoT is used in supply chains, fridges, draught beer equipment, ePOS systems, wearables, and smart home appliances.
?? Cloud Computing: Manages massive volumes of streaming data from IoT. HEINEKEN, for example, has over 200 billion data records from the Connected Brewery alone.
?? Artificial Intelligence: Helps digest large amounts of data, enabling personalized recommendations, predictive analytics, and automation.
In the years to come, we will see increasing connectivity. Virtually every machine and every human being on the planet will be connected.
Becoming the best connected-brewer is about connecting everything and everyone. The data and insights gained will enable us to serve our consumers and customers better and drive productivity!
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I love to hear from the LinkedIN community! Please add examples of this trend or add new trends ?
#BestConnectedBrewer #EverythingAndEverybodyConnected #IoT #ePOS #Industry4
Change & Comms Lead @ Heineken | ex- Nokia, Verizon & Nestlé
7 个月Great article and absolutely agree with the trends! I would also like to mention other Industry 4.0 digital enablers such as: Real-time Observability of IIOT (including predictive maintenance), and Digital Twins of manufacturing facilities which can help identify ways to reduce cost/waste and to improve quality and efficiency without physically touching the manufacturing processes.
Data, analytics and AI | Strategy | Design Thinking | Innovation | CDO Hub | High Performance teams
7 个月Hi Ronald, I actually think that the connectivity in itself is not the trend, nor is the technology that enables it. The trend I see is more about the application of these possibilities that actually generate value. This is still very much at the beginning, where many people don't yet see how it might actually benefit them or the organisational needs, especially for people with less affinity for technology. It will be interesting to see how this gap will be bridged. Another translator role?