Among the IT trends, we can single out one of the most promising – the Internet of Things. IoT simplifies many processes in different areas, from banking to healthcare. This article will guide you through the main Internet of Things advantages, so you’ll learn how to improve your business with this technology.
Internet of Things: The Essence and Features
To begin with, let’s figure out what the IoT is. So, the Internet of Things is a system of interconnected devices equipped with unique identifiers (UIDs) which can share data over a network without human intervention. It contains the following components:
Sensors
First of all, the system needs to gather information. So it operates various sensors that transmit the collected data to devices; for example, a motion sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and so on.
Connection
Another critical element that unites all the components into a single system is their connection. Therefore, IoT devices use some protocols to interact, which include:
- WiFi. This protocol is one of the most widely used and allows the transmission of large amounts of data. However, the range of interaction is usually limited to about 50 meters.
- Bluetooth. An excellent option for wearable devices. It allows sharing of small amounts of information over short distances.
- NFC. A Near Field Communication, which many people know as a contactless payment method, is also an excellent protocol for IoT. Although its range is limited to 10 cm, it offers increased security for data transfer.
- 4G/5G. This protocol is rapidly gaining popularity due to its advantages. These include a wide range, since mobile communications are available almost everywhere, and a high data transfer rate.
- ZigBee. It is one of the low-energy protocols. It can transmit small amounts of information with a high level of security.
Analytics
IoT systems are equipped with an analysis function to separate the necessary information. Thus, the system selects the most valuable data and transfers it to the management software.
IoT Impact on Business
The Internet of Things has a vast number of advantages for businesses. The main one is the automation of the main processes. So let’s discover how different industries can benefit from IoT implementation:
Healthcare
Using the Internet of Things in medicine makes doctors work
and patients’ lives much easier. The introduction of technology helps to save time and reduce risks. The most common are wearable devices. They allow monitoring of patient indicators, such as heart rate, weight, etc., showing all the information in special software. There are also a lot of smart medical devices, such as inhalers. Patients can track it by GPS and receive notifications if they have forgotten it somewhere.
Industrial Business
When it comes to manufacturing, there are many applications for IoT. For example, you can easily control the quality of the manufactured products to correct possible shortcomings at the stage of creation. Also, IoT technology makes it possible to control the condition of equipment and simplify interaction with it.
Agriculture
Agriculture needs smart solutions just as much. With the Internet of Things, farms can save time and costs without sacrificing efficiency. For example, IoT helps to automate watering, fertilizing, and crop control.
Education
In this area, the application of IoT also has tremendous promise. For example, using RFID enables registering students’ presence in the classroom, which helps save the teacher time. Also, a school navigation system and an effective security system can be implemented.
In addition, IoT devices can also be employed in the supply chain, in warehouses, in banking, etc.
Risks and Challenges of Implementing IoT
Although the Internet of Things has a considerable number of advantages, there are certain risks associated with this technology. Let’s learn how to deal with them.
Security. The IoT network may have some security gaps, which can lead to information leaks. There are two ways to avoid this: you can use a software vendor to build custom security solutions or implement a system from a top IoT company that offers high security.
Integration. Not all IoT devices are compatible. To avoid ending up in a situation where the network is not working correctly, it is worth implementing a whole Internet of Things system from one vendor.
Strategy. IoT implementation alone doesn’t guarantee instant success. You need a specific approach to achieve the best results. You can turn to outsourced software vendors who can implement the Internet of Things and provide complete consulting on the most compelling IoT strategy.
Wrapping Up
IoT is one of the leading technologies for business today. Implementing the Internet of Things is an excellent option if you want to automate most processes, reduce costs, and outperform your competitors.
