Internet of Things in Business: We are going through a period of significant changes due to digital transformations, which have come to revolutionize the reality of the whole world.
Several technologies have emerged and gained strength in all spheres of society. Among them is the internet of things (IoT), which can interconnect the most diverse devices to the internet and each other.
What Is IoT?
Despite being a term much talked about in recent years, many people still have doubts about what IoT means. It is nothing more than a network of devices equipped with sensors, in this case, called “things,” which are connected to the internet.
A typical Internet of Things system works by collecting and exchanging data in real-time to make its operation clearer. For this, you need:
– intelligent equipment equipped with sensors, from domestic objects such as televisions and refrigerators to vehicles, security cameras, and industrial machines, which receive computing resources;
– IoT applications are services and software that integrate data from various devices, using technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze this information and make decisions. These are communicated back to the device, which intelligently responds.
– graphical user interface, which serves to manage IoT devices. These can be, for example, apps or websites that are used to record and control “things.”
In general, the purpose of this technology is to facilitate people’s daily lives and optimize company operations and results.
How Can IoT Be Used In The Corporate Scenario?
There are now numerous applications of IoT within industrial and corporate scenarios. Technology can be of great value to the business and can be applied in different areas of companies in different segments. Check out some of them:
Industry
In factories, the internet of things can assist in predictive maintenance through sensors installed in machines to reduce costs with corrective care and downtime. In addition, wearable devices such as helmets and wristbands can improve operators’ safety by alerting them to potential hazards via notifications.
Vehicle Manufacturing And Maintenance
IoT increases efficiency in car maintenance and manufacturing. Industrial sensors provide real-time 3D images of the vehicle’s internal components. Thus, diagnosis and troubleshooting can be made much more quickly, while the IoT system automatically requests spare parts.
Retail
Retail is one of the sectors that most benefit from the IoT. It can be used in intelligent stores to optimize the consumer experience and better understand their journey, creates personalized promotions, automate inventories with demand control to meet physical and online channels, and transport products (tracking and route optimization, for example):) And many other applications.
Health
In healthcare, there are three main groups of intelligent devices. The first is external devices with biosensors in contact with the skin to monitor the user’s health. Internal devices are implanted to replace or support an organ or biological structure that is in trouble. And finally, fixed appliances are machines and devices in clinics and hospitals, operated by specialists and used by patients under medical supervision.
These are just a few examples of sectors already using the internet of things to optimize their operations and increase results.
IoT Benefits For Businesses
Now that you understand more about the IoT, it’s time to list some essential points that show why your company can only gain from investing in technology. Check out:
Business Insights
Connected devices in industries, aviation, supply chain, agriculture, healthcare, retail, and many other areas create more data flows and analytical potential. This means that organizations can gain much more robust insights into their operations, the customer journey, and how they use their products or services.
Best Customer Experience
The IoT directly impacts the relationship between consumers and companies, as the thousands of data generated can predict changes and trends, leading them to anticipate and prepare for new possibilities.
Another aspect is that the information obtained can boost service personalization in an increasingly efficient and assertive way, reflected in increased sales, loyalty, and profitability.
Cost Reduction
Optimizing processes and reducing costs is one of the significant challenges for managers, who need to avoid waste and maintain their competitiveness in the market. IoT is of great value in this scenario and can be used in several ways.
Some examples are smart grids, sensors installed in the water distribution network to detect waste points before they cause damage, predictive maintenance in industries, remote energy metering, remote security, building management systems that manage all installed features, and business and home automation.
How Can Companies Implement IoT In Their Operations?
There is no magic formula for implementing IoT in a business. This is because each of them has its characteristics and needs. However, some common points must be analyzed before implementing the technology. Are they:
– define priorities to implement strategies little by little, according to the main demands;
– identify external factors through an analysis of the competition that indicates which actions are bringing benefits and possible differentials that can be applied;
– evaluate the best way to carry out the actions, including aspects such as network infrastructure, types of access, connectivity, and systems, among others;
– start implementing through tests for a certain period with devices equipped with IoT;
– from the tests, evaluate the effectiveness of the resource, points that can be improved, what worked best, what inputs and investments will be needed and what are the following steps to start the strategy;
– continuously monitor the results to optimize the application of IoT in the company increasingly.
In this scenario, one of the fundamental points is to count on specialized partners, who can direct the most efficient systems according to the demands and guide the company to succeed in this new endeavor.