Now that cloud computing has made its mark, CEOs and CTOs of IoT enterprises who want to evolve toward even greater efficiency should explore using and promoting fog computing to harness the Internet of Things (IoT). This concept helps conserve resources by getting data from the “edge” of a network. Here are reasons why learning about such IoT solutions expands your business model:

Understand the Evolution of Computing

The best way for CEOs and CTOs of IoT companies to understand fog or edge computing is to view it on the timeline of how business technology has evolved. At one time, large mainframe computers did all the computing. Then once everybody owned their own computer, computing became ubiquitous with the spread of personal devices. Now, there are sensors everywhere for computing data that can be placed outside of servers. Between the servers and the sensors is fog, which can deliver data faster than going to the data source.

The amount of available bandwidth is the key issue associated with the degree of efficiency you are capable of achieving. By utilizing the fog between the cloud and IoT devices, you can overcome bandwidth limitations. Bandwidth performance actually improves when a computer is moved closer to a device in which it has established communication. This concept corresponds with smartphone communication improving the closer the sender and receiver are to each other.

Bottlenecks in the Cloud

Even though the cloud has helped CEOs of IoT companies cut costs dramatically, bottlenecks and minor latency issues can affect business productivity. Businesses that rely on agility as a selling point need to overcome these issues while others may be able to live with occasional slowdowns.

The trend toward the cloud being a haven for big data will continue to be a viable solution across all industries. But for firms that need more agile IoT solutions, edge or fog computing is the next phase of fine-tuning for greater efficiency and productivity. Since IoT data is created at the edge of a network, fog computing can be thought of as a medium for delivering data to the cloud. Furthermore, fog computing can determine what type of data can be analyzed locally.

Closer to the Sensors

The key to strengthening a system designed to collect big data is to move the devices that collect data as close as possible to the sensors that generate IoT data. By moving communication devices closer to sensors, you can bypass unnecessary communication about minor details with cloud resources to make data collection more efficient. This form of data collection can be considered decentralized, which suggests that technological development can be analyzed in repeating cycles over long time frames.

One way to visualize how the cloud relates to the fog is to picture the cloud as a data center in the center of a circle. Outside the perimeter of this circle is the edge where sensors collect data that can then be accessed by the cloud.

Conclusion

Fog computing is what connects global endpoints with IoT where data is generated. It’s a place where you can limit communication with other resources and conserve bandwidth. Consider this— along with other IoT solutions you already have— for your clients so that they can keep pace with the latest
internet technology.

IoT devices are downright pernicious today. They’re anywhere and everywhere, and it looks as though this trend will be growing, rather than decreasing. For a company providing IoT solutions, this is actually very good news— even if you don’t necessarily provide it for traditional items that people might use. Did you know there are devices which have been configured to send status updates to smartphones concerning the freshness of eggs? The problem is, devices like that which really only have one purpose and are likely a little bit costlier than the worth they bring aren’t likely to be as necessarily profitable as they could.

However, there’s a way to bridge the gap, here. The technology in the egg-maintenance IoT can easily be transferred to the fridge in which it rests. Most refrigerators have a section primarily devoted to eggs. If a system is incorporated into the fridge which monitors eggs, then the utility in the singular device can be transferred to the larger device— the refrigerator itself. Accordingly, the larger device becomes more valuable, as it can do more, and so it has an additional selling point.

Considerable Lessons

Now, this is an object example of a potential marriage between IoT devices for greater value. When you can optimize a refrigerator in terms of value, you’re likely to sell it over competitor options. Well, likewise, as an enterprise specializing in IoT, one thing you should be doing is figuring out how to maximize IoT tech. Consolidation of devices allows you to reduce production costs and expand profit while providing the clientele you serve greater value, accordingly stimulating your operation’s competitiveness in the marketplace.

As you already know, IoT is here, and barring any globe-spanning apocalyptic disasters which disable all satellites and halt modernity’s technological forward march, IoT is here to stay. What that means is that there are companies in the burgeoning stages of operable establishments now which will be institutional industry leaders in the very near future. Innovating and maximizing profit as well as cold email outreach will be key factors in that institutional establishment.

Considerable Steps to Take

What you should be looking at now is what kind of IoT is selling and where legitimate case-studies demonstrate added value. Additionally, you should look at common issues with IoT and how to address them in your company. One of the biggest issues right now is security. Unfortunately, this kind of devices open entry points for underhanded cybercriminal elements. While there are means of protection, presently nothing is quite so effective as to totally dispel the threat. Developing more secure devices will definitely be something positively definitive about a given company specializing in such tech.

Comprehensive Products

Other factors to consider include battery life, repair, lifespan, resilience, and operational consistency. You want the IoT solutions you provide to last long, need as little repair as possible, continue working for many years, and do their work consistency. IoT is a bit of a hybrid in terms of technology. You’ve got to replace most servers and computers every three to five years, but IoT devices are often in positions where they’ll never need exceptional computing power. Conceivably, some such devices could last decades. Ideally, your devices should be of this variety.

The Age of Big Data

IoT technology, as facilitated through the cloud and big data innovations, is totally revitalizing business at virtually every operational level. It’s easy to see why when you get some perspective. IoT tech can be applied to essentially all machined aspects of operation, from assembly line robots to trucks, and just about everything in between. Naturally, that’s a lot of information to parse, but cloud arrays which link over a million servers together can process terabytes in essentially real time. This provides visibility where previously such visibility was impossible, allowing businesses to take advantage of key optimization tactics.

For CEOs or CTOs that run enterprises which specialize in IoT, focusing on such advantageous benefits in marketing seems essential. Key areas that can be explored include:

Optimization of Route

IoT technology can provide enough visibility that routes can be plotted, optimized, refined, and managed. Between road construction, weather, accidents, holidays, sporting events, and other traffic hassles, visible real-time route optimization can truly be a game-changer.

More Comprehensive Evaluation of Risk

This goes hand-in-hand with route optimization: when a business has a total IoT solution facilitating real-time visibility across a supply chain, risks can be identified and dealt with more effectively. Instead of nasty surprises, IoT can help operations properly redirect and avoid potentially risky situations.

Total Automation

Another prime selling point involves automation. IoT application facilitates nigh-total automation of supply line management. That’s an important selling point and can really save clients seeking IoT implementation a large sum of money. Perhaps emphasize case studies to potential clients or conduct some on your own if none are available.

Contextualization of Data

One of the most important things you’ll need to emphasize as you help clients make the IoT switch involves data contextualization. If you don’t offer any services of this kind, it would make a lot of sense to. When there are terabytes of data coming in, if there is no means of contextualizing that information, then it’s essentially useless. Contextualization acts like desalination of water for healthy drinking. When there’s an ocean of salty, unorganized data, a refreshing drink of visibility is difficult if not impossible to find. But when you can contextualize the information IoT devices make available through the cloud, suddenly the ocean of data becomes a reservoir of actionable possibilities.

Again, use of case studies makes sense if you have them. Commissioning them may be a good option. When you can plug some numbers into an equation’s variable position, then you can quickly and reasonably put a number on the value which a supply chain IoT upgrade may bring to clients.

A good suggestion might be to apply such protocols to your own production in terms of IoT. Then you can certainly show where supply chain management among your own operations reduced costs by “X” percent.

Conclusion

Those in IoT today are likely savvy of the market’s nigh-exponential growth. IoT technology is expected to continue similar rates of growth well into the next several years. It’s likely to become an integral, status quo component of operations in the very near future. Refining your IoT enterprise now can help make your operation a sustainable institution.

Facility managers are finding it increasingly important to use IoT solutions to make the workplace more efficient. In order to maximize workspace, businesses must capitalize on innovative ways to use data to save time and money. Using tracking devices to locate coworkers in real-time is an important way to reduce waste. Here are some of the trends in which IoT is playing a role in reshaping modern businesses.

Traditional vs. Digital Workspace

Due to the increasing popularity of mobile devices in the workplace and the convenience of the cloud, many company leaders are integrating IoT solutions into their business models. Traditional business culture is being challenged by the cost-cutting and morale-boosting advantages of mobility and cloud computing. Consequently, many businesses feel the pressure to move toward the digital workspace, which offers a more agile and productive work experience. Managers can gain deeper insight from analytics on which areas of operation need more or less attention.

Improving Flexibility and Productivity

Flexibility and productivity are driving forces in today’s economy. The more mobile a workplace becomes, the more likely workers will share workspaces, since digital environments do not require that individuals be associated with specific machines. Using indoor positioning system (IPS) technology that combines the strengths of IoT and mobility, managers can locate employees and assets in real-time. An effective location technology depends on the accuracy of information delivered through multiple sensory inputs. Here are some key benefits of IPS technology:

• Increased mobility and productivity
• Less operating costs
• Ability for seamless collaboration among team members
• Allows for better office space efficiency

By embracing IPS technology, CEOs and CTOs of IoT enterprises can take leadership roles in pioneering the transition toward using big data as a tool to streamline a business. One of the most effective ways to improve a work environment is to encourage collaboration. IPS applications help employees meet in specific rooms by sharing locations in real-time.

IPS technology is useful in large facilities such as hospitals and campuses because it can speed up scheduling and bringing people together. The software provides a GPS experience, allowing people to find their way more quickly to meeting places. It reduces the time wasted on trying to find a destination. This cloud-based solution can be managed from an easy-to-use dashboard with the ability to customize maps and directories. You can quickly find up-to-date data on the dashboard about employees and assets.

Creating a More Mobile Workspace

One of the first practical steps that CEOs/CTOs can take to implement an IoT strategy to streamline operations is to partner with a location-as-a-service vendor to handle hardware and software maintenance issues. The next step is to set up a “bring-your-own-device” policy that allows workers to use their personal mobile devices. This strategy can cut enormous costs on hardware and maintenance while giving employees a greater sense of comfort and choice. It allows for workers to communicate and collaborate from different locations.

Then you need to decide on IPS technology with an indoor mapping engine that can be used to schedule specific times in meeting rooms. Once you deploy an appropriate positioning platform, you can then monitor analytics and decide on further integration.

Conclusion

Leaders of IoT companies have various IoT solutions to choose from to make their workplaces more efficient and productive for employees. IPS software can cut down on wasted time by allowing team members to find each other more easily based on location technology that tracks sensors. Using IPS along with a cloud-based mobile workforce allows for a more flexible workplace that doesn’t rely on workers staying trapped in cubicles. Improving internal communication is an important building block to creating a loyal and comfortable business atmosphere.

IoT technology has taken the world by storm. These devices already outnumber people, and that trend is set to increase. It’s not just that IoT is a convenient novelty, either. This technological innovation can save money, increase security in certain respects, and generally optimize the operations of your clientele, making their tech experience much more satisfactory. As a CEO of an IoT enterprise, you want to emphasize positive aspects of IoT solutions to help clients understand this innovation’s full potential. Several customer experience focus-points include:

Facilitation of Competitiveness

IoT technology can make client business more competitive in relation to peers, and it can additionally help clients increase their level of competitive ability— which may even be better in the long run. If they’re doing better, they’re going to expand, which means they must necessarily purchase more tech from you. It’s an “everybody wins” scenario facilitating an upward spiral for both of you. Show clients how IoT facilitates competitive edge.

You’ve got to be adamant about security protocols and be diligent to properly apply them. This will also require some level of client education. Likely, you’ll need to proactively monitor client operations as well— more on that in a moment.

Client Personalization

IoT gives you the ability to more comprehensively personalize the IT solutions you provide for clients. Say, for example, you’re working with clients who run a production facility and are looking to streamline operations by shaving off hidden redundancies only visible through IoT application. This has a term: “smart” manufacturing. Every production facility will have its own idiosyncrasies and IoT devices of different kind and purpose can be put together such that they describe a sort of “form-fitting” arrangement for such a client. The same is basically true for any client with whom you work. Personalization is additionally a great selling point and another “everybody wins” scenario. The more they personalize, the more services and products they buy from your MSP. So, show them how— if you haven’t— they can personalize their IoT.

Prevention of Emergency

An IoT solution helps clients avoid emergencies. Consider the smart manufacturing facility. An IoT-enabled machine can continuously send data that can benefit your clients. They can monitor varying machines to ensure they are within safe operational limits. This will allow them to maximize their lifespan. Show clients how you’ve maximized other operations through machine lifespan enhancement. Clients get their fullest investment from such a strategy and you get the fullest profit from your clients, all while preventing emergencies.

Monitoring and Support of Operations Via Data

With the Internet of Things, you’re likely going to be monitoring client operations closely. This will help you to identify anomalies more quickly, stopping negative trends before they’ve got a chance to “metastasize” and become toxic to their business. When you stop something, tell the client— show how your company’s IoT provisions saved their bacon. In terms of security, proactive monitoring and support is a very recommendable service in today’s environment regardless. Oftentimes, catching anomalies, tracing them, and curtailing them represents some of the best cyber security. When you can do the same thing with the productive machines your clients must use daily, you increase your value to them.

Something else you can do with IoT in terms of monitoring and data is to show your own usefulness directly. You can demonstrate to them that you aren’t just a novelty upgrade, but that you have actually been making them money through reducing operational expenses, increasing competitiveness, maximizing tech investment, and helping them remain cutting-edge. Being cutting-edge is essential to business today for more than the convenience of operations and competitiveness: as technology marches on with no denouement on the horizon, remaining contemporary becomes essential. If you’ve got a floppy-drive computer today, good luck using it for… anything. The same will be true of today’s technology in 15 years.

IoT technology will make clients more successful than they could be otherwise by facilitating increased competitiveness, personalized data and tech application, emergency prevention, and proactive support solutions. Harnessing IoT and showing clients the ropes communicates value, improving customer experience.