What is Internet of Things (IoT) and Why It Matters to IT

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a growing topic both inside and outside of the workplace. It has the ability to change how we live and how we work. Many are already on board with IoT, and global IoT revenues are projected to reach over a trillion dollars by 2020. If you’re not there yet, I’d like to talk today about what IoT is and how it’s being used.

Internet of Things, or IoT, is defined as a device that used to be a stand-alone device, but is now connected to the internet. Consumer based devices include Google Home, Alexa, Smart Watches, Fitbits and home thermostats. These products are already changing the way the owners of these devices live.

From a business standpoint, with the help of services like Azure IoT Hub, this gets much bigger, with a much larger impact on how people work. Large engine monitoring devices for trains and planes, for example, have millions of components that are being monitored all the time, therefore, showing real-time statistics about what is happening on those devices.

Chevron is using Microsoft Azure IoT Hub in the backend as they build out their IoT infrastructure for monitoring their oil, and deep well, drilling devices. John Deer is mounting IoT devices on their equipment that tracks things such as where, how far apart or how deep seeds are being planted, so farmers can get planting information right from these devices.

Yes, IoT is a big deal and it’s helping manufacturing and other companies, as well as consumers alike, by expanding the capabilities of things that are, or can be, connected to the internet. If you’d like more information on Azure IoT Hub and what IoT can do for your business, click the link below – we’ll help to get you on board.