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IoT
8 minutes read

How Enterprises can Benefit from IoT

By Jose Gomez
By Jose Gomez
IoT
8 minutes read

It is incredible how we take technology for granted. It is so easy to connect devices with one another that we often forget how life used to be before the Internet of Things. Smart devices have changed how we do everyday tasks. 

Just consider a common example: smart homes. Regulating room temperature, adjusting the lights, or even looking at your energy consumption are few of the things that can be done directly from our mobile phones thanks to powerful apps. IoT is so easy-going that at Koombea HQ we even use it to open doors and activate the elevator through our own access mobile app. 

Throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic, and especially after it, we at Koombea expect that IoT will gain more relevance. No matter the scenario, the future belongs without a doubt to IoT. However, even with all its benefits, there’s still one thing about IoT that puzzles me. 

The IoT Challenge

The one thing that puzzles me about IoT is the relatively slow rate of adoption on behalf of big companies. As with many other technologies, one would assume that enterprises are the perfect early adopters. They have the necessary resources to benefit in every possible way. Manufacturing plants, public utilities, transportation companies, all of them and more can directly benefit from IoT, but surprisingly, the adoption rate seems to be lagging. Although some brands are making use of it, there is still a lot of room to grow. 

This might be because of a lack of knowledge on the topic, or because everyone is so busy with day to day things that innovation ends up being left aside. Whatever the case is, I firmly believe there is nothing like a good read to motivate the innovator in you. 

Since I know many companies would like to use state of the art IoT technologies in their companies, here are a few practical ideas on how it can be implemented. These ideas do not reflect any industry in particular. They are easily adaptable to any company or process. 

If you are wondering how the pandemic will affect IoT, let me tell you that it will only accelerate the inevitable digital transformation. As a result, I highly recommend you read this if you want to stay relevant in your industry. 

Data Points & Better Decisions

This is at the top of the list for one reason: IoT is all about data. Thanks to IoT’s capabilities, companies now have the possibility of collecting real-time data in numerous ways. By installing special devices in critical data points, companies can measure all sorts of workflows. Only by doing so can complex processes be optimized. As management guru Peter Drucker used to say, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” 

Having real-time data becomes essential as companies need to make critical decisions without wasting time. In the post-pandemic future, resilience will be the norm for those companies that wish to stand out. Thanks to IoT, it is now easier to adapt to changes. Nonetheless, to do so, processing the data you’ve collected into more user-friendly insights will be necessary.

The best way to retrieve information and get a grip of it is through easy to use apps. Implementing IoT may not be a walk in the park depending on what you plan to do, but using it at least does not require expensive and difficult to use enterprise software. Apps have the potential to retrieve information collected by devices and present it in a friendly way, and the best of all, you can use them from your mobile phone.  

Asset Management

One of the most impactful ways in which IoT can help you obtain relevant data from your processes is by implementing it directly into your assets, specifically your machines and equipment.

By installing the right devices in the right places you can have access to critical process stats. This empowers you to easily identify if something is operating at a suboptimal level or if something is urgently needing maintenance. IoT lets you focus on a prevention first strategy to keep your equipment up to date and running smoothly

Managing your assets through IoT solutions is particularly useful for companies that have huge inventories scattered through different locations. Companies involved in high-quality products also have much to gain from this technology. The same can be said of companies that are required to comply with regulatory requirements. 

Remote Cloud Management

Having real-time information available is great, but being able to remotely change your system’s parameters is even better. Lucky you that IoT allows you to have both. Companies that implement IoT are able to manage their systems in a fully smart way. Thanks to the cloud, it is possible to manage certain device functionalities in a remote way

Remote functionalities are not only related to risk management issues. Many daily operations can be done without the need for physical presence. Just as you can manage certain features of your house through your phone, you can also do the same within your company. There is still a long way to go before everything goes fully remote, but the current state of technology is a major advantage. 

Some companies are combining IoT, data and Artificial Intelligence to create what some have called The Intelligence of Things. This has the potential to automate certain processes. 

Supply Chains

Managing a supply chain poses many challenges. Transportation requires guaranteeing the appropriate conditions for supplies to be in optimal conditions. However, it is impossible to have control of those conditions because companies usually rely on third parties for logistics. Even when they don’t, having the relevant information at hand is difficult.

Thanks to IoT, your company can now have greater control over supplies. You can monitor them in real-time, so you don’t have to worry about something going wrong after it’s too late. You can even identify which stage of the supply chain poses the most important challenges and requires your attention. 

Customer Relations

In the current pandemic situation, the world might be moving towards less physical contact, and this will undoubtedly affect customer relations. B2C companies can show their customers they care by making their experiences easier through mobile devices rather than through physical contact. 

If your company manufactures products that are destined for end consumers, IoT is a great choice of technology. Take for example the case of how MedTech uses IoT to help patients. Patients and doctors can monitor important biometrics to know how a given treatment is evolving. It can even be implemented for things as simple as helping patients take their medicines through smart pillboxes. 

Why Koombea

By now you might have noticed that there seems to be no ceiling on IoT’s potential for your company. However, I am aware that all of this is easier said than done. That’s why I’d like to tell you some important facts to consider. 

From my experience, the number-one success factor in any IoT project is having a great team. Whether you are designing your IoT system from scratch or implementing it, you will be needing someone who knows how to work things out. 

Another important factor that guarantees success when working with IoT is the quality of the software you use. Having the best hardware is of no use if there is no way you can process and use your data effectively. That is why having a world-class app becomes a necessity, not a luxury

It so happens to be that at Koombea we meet all of these requirements. So if what you’ve read seems like something your company can take advantage of, then you should consider contacting us to develop your IoT app. Koombea has more than a decade of experience developing great apps for all sorts of industries. 

Our case studies show that we take our clients and their needs very seriously. That is because, in our IoT projects, we prioritize security and functionality to assure optimal operations. Bringing your idea to life is also part of our app development process. Through ideation workshops, we refine your ideas, even if they are in an initial phase. This guarantees that they will have the maturity to be developed into a great app and succeed. 

Don’t let a day go by without having IoT implemented in your company. The first step of the journey might be the hardest one, but it’s also the most exciting one.

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