How the Internet of Things (IoT) is Changing Our Lives

We live in a digital era where everything around us is being integrated and connected, simultaneously sending and receiving huge amounts of data. While devices are becoming smarter and making the things we do easier, a challenge still remains.

We have access to all of this useful information, but we don’t have a centralized solution to take advantage of it. The transition to interconnecting our world is precisely what the “Internet of Things,” or IoT, is all about – collecting and sharing data between devices to use them in a more efficient manner. IoT is meant to collect data in a single location so we can become more aware of what is going on around us. It is estimated that by 2020, nearly 30 billion devices will be connected wirelessly to the Internet of Things!

Connecting Multiple Aspects of Our Lives

There are many practical applications for IoT. One example is in the world of manufacturing, where there are countless devices on the plant floor pumping out data. For instance, conveyor lines are tracking the number of parts going through per hour, while robots are reporting non-compliant products, and furnaces keep track of core temperatures. Plant management uses these stats to learn more about their operations, with the goal of improving overall plant efficiency.

The Internet of Things has also entered our homes. In-home care has made great strides in recent years! We now have the ability to equip the homes of our loved ones with a multitude of sensors to monitor activity. These sensors learn, detect, and then make assumptions and decisions on what is happening inside the home. For instance, if your mother gets out of bed in the morning, but never makes it to the kitchen, you can be sent a text message notifying you that she might have fallen and needs assistance.

IoT is also changing how we look at and analyze network security. In the past, security was thought of as how well businesses controlled the devices connected to their networks. As people integrate more smart devices into their lives, there is a stronger need for unified computing architectures. This means shifting away from the security of a single device, such as a computer, to the broader idea of protecting and controlling access to data at every step in the process.

The Bottom Line…

The Internet of Things is on its way. The key is to think forward about how you can integrate this technology to improve your business, personal, and family life. If you have questions about IoT and how it can change your business for the better, feel free to contact us today for a no-obligation conversation. 877.377.SWIP