The Internet of Things: Connected Devices,People, Data and Processes: Renaissance Once Again!

Towards the end of the 14th Century, Europe and the world witnessed the discovery and exploration of new continents, the establishment of  Copernican heliocentric theory, the growth of commerce,  invention of paper, printing, the mariner’s compass and many powerful innovations sowing the seeds for an interconnected world.

Seven centuries later, we are on the verge of another re-birth where  a set of core technology game changers and Internet of Things is set to play the most important role.

Internet of Things: What does it mean?

First of all let us go back to our basic definition of Internet. Essentially, Internet started as globally interconnected set of computers enabling people and organizations quickly access data and programs from any site across the world. Now , the internet is not just limited to interconnected computers, rather, it is expanding to a network of things like mobile phones, tablets and wearable devices.  All objects, machines, devices, cars, oil wells, deep dark coal mines can now be connected to the internet  by putting a small mobile computer in the form of a chipset on just anything in the world including home appliances, cars and consumer electronics. The IoT is in fact the meeting point of various things like efficient wireless application protocols, faster processors, affordable cheaper sensors, a number of startups and established companies developing  software for managing volumes of data, an essential byproduct of IoT and which makes the whole concept of IoT mainstream.

Five Key Ingredients and Verticals that IoT wave will impact the most.

Connected wearable devices, Connected cars, Connected homes, Smart Grids and Industrial Internet are the five verticals where the IoT really matters.

Smart wearable devices like smartwatches, fitness bands, health monitor bands, smart glasses are leading to emergence of new categories of customers and markets alike.

Connected cars are making carpooling, safe navigation, fleet management etc. efficient  and optimal parking a convenient and fuel efficient reality. Perhaps, an early adoption of IoT by VW could have saved it from the recent disgrace and immense losses.

Connected homes and commercial buildings could be the test bed and proving ground for IoT. It will lead to the emergence and adoption of new lines of products and services in areas like surveillance cameras, automated thermostats and lights, garage doors, TVs, speaker systems, washing machines, kitchen appliances and  help individuals and organizations reduce their energy use, costs and Carbon footprint.

Advanced Meter Infrastructure, Smart meters and the grid network lay the foundation for connected cities. Smart meter adoption enables grids to achieve efficient grid management, minimize power outages, reduce commercial and technical power transmission losses, replace aging and energy inefficient devices and equipment and reduce carbon emissions.

IoT in industrial sector can be actually equated to the industrial revolution itself. IoT enables the seamless establishment of networks between machines, humans and the internet. IoT adoption in industrial sector may appear to be in  a nascent stage now, but, very soon, as more and more equipment get digitized and there are powerful software and analytical tools available to decipher and draw intelligent insights from data collected by these digitized and connected equipment, the industrial IoT will experience a significant leap. In the industrial sector IoT will impact three major areas, namely, building automation, manufacturing, an optimized supply chain and resource management.

Essentially, IoT is not just about connecting people, devices, industries, processes and data. It’s about improving the way we live and  preserve our environment.