Basics Of IoT: Everything you need to know about the Internet of Things

What Is The Internet of Things?

Internet of Things refers to the billions of devices connected to the Internet and sharing the data. The inception of computer chips and wireless networks has made it possible to turn anything into a part of the Internet of Things. Connecting up all these smart devices and adding sensors to them embeds digital intelligence. This enables them to communicate real-time data without involving a human. IoT is changing the fabric of the world around us by merging our digital and physical lives.

Let’s take the case of a light bulb. It can be switched on using a smartphone as an IoT device. IoT devices can be as simple as a child’s toy robot to a jet engine. Some larger objects may be composed of smaller IoT components. On a bigger scale, smart city projects are filling the entire region with sensors to understand the environment better. The term IoT is mainly used for the devices that are connected to the Internet and can perform certain actions without any human assistance.

We have seen what IoT is. Now let’s check out how BIG the Internet of Things is!

How Big Is This IoT

If you have a look, there are above 10 bn active devices In 2021, that are connected to the Internet. It is also predicted that the number of IoT devices will easily surpass 25 bn by 2030. This insight highlights the fact that the number of IoT devices is increasing every day.

Big-big and bigger – the network of connected devices is getting bigger every day!

The security devices and equipment in the form of intruder detection and web cameras will be the second big use of IoT devices. Apart from that, building-lighting, smart POP designer lighting systems and the automotive sector will be the biggest users of the Internet of Things.

This article also suggests that the total number of IoT devices is increasing every day.

Components Of The Internet of Things

So it was all about the Internet of Things. Let’s now dive deep into the composition of IoT. We’ll outline every component and also walk you through how they come together to form a complete IoT system. 4 main components form an IoT system.

Sensors/Devices

Very first, the devices gather data from the environment. Multiple sensors or devices can be connected to be a part of the device. However, whether it is a standalone device or a complete one, data collection is the very first function it performs.

Connectivity

Data is collected but it requires a medium to get there. The devices can be connected to the cloud through a variety of methods including Bluetooth, WiFi, and WAN networks. Each option has range, bandwidth, trade-offs, and power consumption. Selecting the connectivity option is not difficult as every option gets the data to the cloud.

Data Processing

Once the data gets onto the cloud, the software then processes it. In case of an error or any sign of intrusion, the user hops in to take control.

UI

This is the final component where all the relevant information is made available to the end-users. This information is generally in the form of email, text, notifications, etc. Through an interface, the end-user can proactively check in on the system.

Advantages Of IoT

The main concept of IoT is characterized by two important features:

Automation

IoT involves direct communication between two different devices and other hardware without human interference. Automation is a huge part of this tech.

Connectivity

The enhanced connections in a network on a huge scale provide easy access to information.

Let us learn how these two features add up to the advantages of the Internet of Things.

Improved Staff productivity

IoT can easily handle all the mundane operations and automates them effectively. This way, the human resources can be efficiently deployed to perform more complex tasks that require personal skills including out-of-the-box thinking and decision-making activities. In this way, the number of workers can be minimized to cut down the operation costs and other overheads of the organization.

Effective Operation Management

Another vital advantage offered by the interconnection of smart devices is automated control over multiple operation areas such as inventory management, spare parts management, shipping tracking, and more. This approach is quite effective and finds good usage in scanning the RFID tags to track the location of goods and equipment in real-time.

Efficient Asset Management

The automatic monitoring implemented with the help of interconnected sensors enables efficient resource management. The motion detectors may save huge amounts of money in terms of water and electricity bills. This is eco-friendly and cost-efficient for both small and large businesses.

Cost-Effective Operations

With IoT, operations are streamlined so different tasks and processes are simplified. These operations include:

Efficient supply of raw materials

Reduced downtime periods

Controlled and scheduled maintenance

The IoT devices greatly facilitate management within the individual departments and across the enterprise structure.

Increased Safety At Work

Scheduled maintenance is also advantageous for ensuring operational safety in the organization. Safe working conditions at the organization attract more investors, business partners, and better talents and this improves brand reputation. Smart devices also reduce human error during several stages of business which contributes to a higher level of safety. Additionally, the network of IoT devices such as motion sensors, surveillance cameras, and other monitoring devices can be utilized to ensure the security of an enterprise.

Deep Marketing & Business Development

Smart devices, especially voice assistants and other appliances that can directly communicate with the end-users, provide valuable information for business analysis. Internet of Things also helps enterprises by gathering huge volumes of user-specific data for developing business strategies that may be targeted for advertising and marketing operations.

Increased Customer Service

Smart devices help businesses gather valuable data which can be used to improve customer experience. IoT improves customer experience by facilitating follow-up after-sales service such as automatic tracking and reminding the customers about the required maintenance of the product.

Better Business Opportunities

Due to its increased usefulness, the organization that uses IoT solutions can offer a wider range of business solutions and services. The organization that implements IoT always has the upper hand to offer quality comparison at the same price. As a result, such a company may perform challenging tasks in terms of production and quicker issue resolution. In short, the use of smart devices makes an enterprise more competitive as a potential business partner.

Better Image & Brand

An organization that offers high-tech solutions and services, especially IoT and automation, makes a positive impression on the customers, investors and business partners. It is easier to attract experienced staff and consultants who are aware of the Internet of Things. Apart from that, the safe environment in the organization improves the work culture and all this helps in building the brand.

IoT: Connecting Automation & Future

As the price of communication and sensors continues to decrease, it becomes more cost-effective to add more devices to the IoT network. At an early stage, most businesses and companies are engaging with IoT only at a trial-stage now. The technologies such as sensor technology, 5G, machine-learning, and powered analytics are at an early stage of development. There are so many competing platforms, standards, vendors and device manufacturers who want a huge portion of the IoT pie.

It is still not clear which of those will win out. Without standards and with several security issues lurking around, we are likely to see bigger IoT security issues in the new future. But one thing is sure that as the number of connected devices increases, our lifestyles will change and become full of smart products. Most of us are already happy with Alexa and Siri as our assistants. This is changing everything and gone as the days when a chair was just a chair.