There’s been a lot of talk about the Internet of Things, or IoT, being the Next Big Thing in technology. Many people don’t know what it is or what it can do, and they certainly don’t know that it’s already here.
The Internet of Things is the term that refers to the interconnectivity of everyday things using light sensors, network connectivity, actuators, and so on. If you have a ‘smart home’ device that lets you unlock the door to your home from your smartphone or remotely move your thermostat up or down, you are already using the Internet of Things.
One Step Ahead
Thinking about how you can use the IoT in your business will help you get a jump start on the technology, and could lead to a competitive edge. Consider the kinds of tasks your employees do and whether they could be done remotely or by a machine instead of a human. In a commercial cleaning business, for example, there are robotic devices that clean floors and carpets automatically, detecting when they are done and reporting back to the company if there’s a problem. They can even sense when they are approaching a flight of stairs, so they don’t f down it!
Saving Energy and Money
In property management, smart lighting can make a big difference in efficiency and convenience. In an office building, the lights could stay off outside of business hours, only turning on if someone approaches the building. If the person is authorized and enters, a ‘smart’ building could light the way to their office, leaving all the rest of the lights off. If the person isn’t authorized, the system could contact police and record the intruder’s image for evidence. At a mall, smart LED lights could point out empty parking spaces, eliminating the need for patrons to drive around looking for a spot.
Just as the Internet changed the way we do business in the mid-1990s, the Internet of Things is changing the way we do business in the mid-2010s. Before long, thousands of items we use every day will be able to connect to one another and gather, analyze and report on data. By understanding what it is and how you can use it, you can put it to work for your business, decreasing your costs and improving your efficiency. That could lead to a competitive advantage and a healthier bottom line.
Guest Blogger, Jocelyn Brown is a professional freelancer writer and mother. She loves the freedom that comes with freelancing and the versatility it allows her in covering many different topics and themes. When not at work she enjoys running, hikes in the country and making the most of the family time.
