Locomotive of progress
IoT technology encompasses all the objects that are capable of communicating without human involvement via the internet. The devices gather and analyze data autonomously, and the wireless internet is the air they breathe. Of course, smart gadgets have been around for some time, but we are breaking new ground in terms of their prevalence and connectivity.
The number of connected devices is going through the roof and is forecast to reach 50 billion units in 2020. Travel, transportation, and hospitality sectors lead the business pack in terms of investing in IoT. A global wearables market is growing at an unprecedented rate as well, but this does not mean that things are rosy.
The ever-growing streams of data put a strain on the present infrastructure and cast a shadow of doubt over future IoT development. The IoT also has a potentially disruptive influence on cloud computing, telecommunications, and cable and broadband. Their synergy is still to be facilitated and used as a driving force behind development.
The information age
The non-hardware dimension of infrastructure includes data analytics, software platforms, data storage, processing, security solutions, and access. Platforms involve a number of services, cloud computing, nodes interoperability, IP networking, device management, and applications. As for processing and storage of data, it is carried out via cloud solutions.
Here, established services, like Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Azure, compete for the market share and offer a direct access through IoT applications. Furthermore, data analytics are right at the center of IoT development, together with emerging big data. A wide array of players, big and small, is present in this dynamic field, as they develop tools for data mining, predictive and streaming analytics.
Rock-solid foundations
On another level, we come across the physical components of the IoT. First off, advanced computing patterns that take place in the IoT environment demand a framework of devices with powerful processors. Consequently, system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology is being developed by tech industry giants, like Intel, and they will soon have the processing power of today’s smartphones and laptops.
Indeed, infrastructure providers are in a commanding position when it comes to benefits from IoT proliferation. On the other hand, many internet service providers will have to step up the game. They ought to follow the example of leading companies that waste no time dwelling in the past. Reputable AT&T U-Verse providers, for instance, are doing their best to satisfy the consumers who need to connect TV and other devices to the web.
Finally, municipalities and local governments will have to stay on top of population and urbanization pressures. Namely, they are under increasing pressure to network the public infrastructure in order to boost its efficiency. Take the example of networked security cameras that should bring down the crime rates and help police departments immensely. This application, though, is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is possible.
The future is now
The IoT is a fundamental game changer. The benefits that can be reaped are immense, but they are not just there for the taking. Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, but its real-world application is inevitably lagging behind. The transmission of data through the device network puts pressure on the internet and it is the IoT infrastructure companies that are really paving the way into the future.
Guest article written by: Dan Radak is a marketing professional with eleven years of experience. He is currently working with a number of companies in the field of digital marketing, closely collaborating with a couple of e-commerce companies. He is also a coauthor on several technology websites and regular contributor to Technivorz.