One of the current buzzwords in the IT world is “The Internet of Things” or “IoT.” This term is used to describe the new trend of connecting a wide range of objects to devices that have access to the internet.
Think computerized cars, home security systems, smart thermostats, wearable devices, and even toy dolls that talk back (yes, that’s a real thing that your children might be asking you for soon!).
Market analysts predict that the IoT market, along with the related machine-to-machine communications market, will account for nearly $500 billion in revenue by 2019.
Gartner predicts there will be 21 billion IoT-connected devices by 2020, which means that the internet of things is going to become a huge part of our lives.
Currently, IT companies are conducting research and experimentation in a race to find practical applications for these technologies.
This new technology will obviously have a big impact on our way of life, but how will it affect business workflow?
IoT will serve as an extension of mobile devices, providing new ways to enhance productivity. The increased mobility it will provide will create new opportunities to grow relationships and profits. However, the greater influx of devices will present new challenges for businesses.
IT departments will have to deal with increased workloads to deal with more devices that must be purchased, maintained, and kept secure. Enterprise Mobility Management will be essential for this task and to support IoT in a variety of ways, including the following:
• Allowing for easy customization, troubleshooting and optimization of IoT devices
• Helping maintain standards and regulatory requirements
• Tracking energy consumption
• Automatically tracking updates and patches
• Monitoring plant equipment and ensure business continuity
• Monitoring processes, communication and social systems to enhance security and safety
• Supporting “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) trends
In the near future, it will become increasingly important to manage the growth of the IoT. As more businesses rely on the IoT for problem-solving and business solutions, how devices are secured and managed will be the difference between frustration and successful IoT management.
The IoT is happening, whether you’re prepared for it or not.
So, why not be ahead of the curve?
Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Kelley Technology Group to learn more about how enterprise mobility solutions can help your business support IoT.
