The Internet of Things – so what?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a computing concept that describes a future where every day physical objects will be connected to the Internet and be able to identify themselves to other devices. In recent years, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) has been the technology most closely associated with IoT but it may also include other sensor technologies, wireless technologies or QR codes.

Why is this significant? Because an object or device that can represent itself digitally becomes something greater than the object alone. When many objects act together, they then offer massive potential for advanced analytics leading to faster decision-making outcomes. Ultimately, the Internet of Things is an environment where the physical world is becoming one big information system.

This has many implications for the design, implementation, and use of devices, computers, software and what some call “ambient intelligence”. Most businesses are focused on getting products to market more quickly, adapting to regulatory requirements, increasing efficiency, and most importantly, continuing to innovate. Modern workforces demand anytime, anywhere business tools. An IoT platform can help. The opportunities presented by the IoT far outweigh the challenges. The connection of devices, machines, and things allows you to dynamically generate, analyse, and communicate intelligence data, increase efficiencies, and devise new and greatly improved business models.

This potential has even caught the attention of the UK Government with the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announcing in his budget £40m for the internet of things, allowing devices to be controlled by smartphones and tablets. The world of smart metering, already underway in the UK, embraces the IoT in a very logical way, allowing consumers and businesses to have real time information on energy consumption in a way that was never before possible. Imagine the possibilities of that when it comes to the peaks and troughs of the supply chain and the more efficient and cost-effective management practices to manage it.

Critical to all of these “pipe dreams” is a well-designed, flexible and accessible computing platform to enable concepts to be built, tested and proven. Here at New Signature, we embrace the Microsoft Cloud technology stack, in all its forms from SaaS (Software as a Service) to IaaS (Infrastructure) and PaaS (Platform). One of the key advantages of this strategy is the fact that the IoT is already at the heart of that platform.