Internet of Things (IoT)
How small things change our (corporate) life
The idea of seamless communication between people, processes and things has existed for some time, but it is only in recent years that the Internet of Things has emerged as one of the central technologies of the 21st century. Nowadays, it is no longer a challenge to connect everyday objects such as cars, kitchen appliances, audio equipment to the Internet.
This physical world now meets the digital world and the two cooperate. This is because the devices are able to collect and share data with minimal human involvement. This data (Big Data) can then be analyzed and evaluated using computing solutions.
Machine Learning and Analysen (ML)
Machine learning and analytics, as well as access to diverse and vast amounts of data stored in the cloud, enable companies to gain insights faster and easier. The emergence of these related technologies is pushing the boundaries of IoT, and the data generated by IoT is fueling these technologies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Conversation
Neural networks have enabled Natural Language Processing (NLP) to IoT devices (e.g. Alexa, Cortana, Siri, SAP Co-Pilot) and made them attractive, affordable and usable for private use.
But access to low-cost and low-power sensor technologies is also enabling more and more manufacturers to produce products for IoT technology.
Thanks to numerous networking protocols for the Internet, connecting sensors to the cloud and other things is made easier and ensures efficient data transfer. Last but not least, the increased availability of cloud platforms allows businesses and consumers to access the infrastructure they need to scale up without actually having to manage everything.
How do I unlock new business value with IoT?
- New insights (using IoT-powered data) to better manage business processes.
- Increasing efficiency and productivity
- Networking the physical and digital worlds for rapid value creation
- Creation of new business models and revenue streams
What are IoT applications?
- Increase manufacturing efficiency by monitoring machines and product quality.
- Improved tracking of physical assets.
- Monitoring of environmental conditions.
- Unlocking new opportunities in existing processes.
- Enabling business process change
- Condition monitoring of machines and the initiation of service calls to perform preventive maintenance.
Which industries benefit from IoT?
In particular, companies that use or can use sensor devices have benefited from IoT processes in the past.
In Manufacturing:
- Production line monitoring
- Proactive maintenance of equipment
- Measuring sensors and detecting when production performance is affected
- Check devices remotely for freedom from errors
- Reduction of operating costs
- Improvement of operating times
In Transport and Logistics:
- Improved tracking
- Detour due to environmental conditions (e.g. weather, temperature)
- Warnings for possible damage for sensitive goods such as food (pharmaceutical industry, flowers or similar).
Retail:
- Improved inventory management
- Monitoring and optimization of customer satisfaction
- Improved availability of goods, as it is possible to react (proactively) to supply bottlenecks in good time
- With an optimized supply chain, operating costs can be reduced
- Weight sensors, smart shelves, RFID-based information
- Targeted offers and promotions
Public Sector:
- Improved service, especially with state utilities (water, electricity, sewage, garbage)
- Record the extent of an outage and provide resources
Healthcare:
- Localization and use of medical aids (e.g. wheelchairs)
- Accounting based on an accurate proof of use for physical tangible assets
What is the Industrial Internet of Things?
The application of IoT technologies in the industrial sector, especially in connection with the instrumentation and control of sensors and devices, which are based on cloud technologies are referred to as IIoT (4th wave or Industry 4.0). It describes a new level of automation (e.g. machine-to-machine M2M communication).
Possible areas of application:
- Intelligent manufacturing
- Preventive and predictive maintenance
- Intelligent energy networks (smart cities)
- Logistics 4.0 - Networked and intelligent logistics
- Intelligent digital supply chains
This is only an excerpt of possible application scenarios – we are happy to support and advise you on how your company can best benefit from Io applications.
