IoT, or Internet of Things is a buzzword you hear a lot when people talk about cloud computing. But do you know what it means? If you don’t, don’t feel bad. It’s a term that has a lot of confusion surrounding it. Put simply, IoT is an ecosystem of connected devices. These devices create and share data to help people make smarter decisions. It is the next step in digital transformation for many, after web, mobile and cloud.
Are you asking yourself, “wait, digital transformation, what the heck is that?” In short, digital transformation means connecting technology across all areas of your business. This leads to changes in your processes and how you deliver value to your customers. Since technology evolves rapidly, a digital transformation requires a cultural shift as well. Specifically, being open to change and willing to challenge the status quo.
Still a bit confused about what IoT is? Here’s a short video from Microsoft that might help.
Trouble seeing the video? Here’s a
Some of the example uses for the Internet of Things mentioned in the video might seem a little odd. But, IoT is fast becoming a critical part of the way many companies do business. It has many practical business uses. Take the retail or distribution industries, for example.
In the retail industry, IoT helps with things like point-of-sale (POS) systems & signage. A few benefits are:
- Increased customer engagement
- Less reliance on cash
- Improved transaction security
- Improved customer service
In the distribution industry, it helps with things like container monitoring & fleet management. A few of the benefits are:
- Better visibility and insight
- Automated data collection and management
- Improved operational flexibility and performance
- Improved customer service
Want to learn more about IoT and what it can do for your business? Please . Interested in starting your Internet of Things journey? Please . We will be happy to discuss your needs and show you how connected technology can help.
By: Laura Schomaker, Intelligent Technologies, Inc., a North Carolina-based cloud services provider.
