Where the IoT is used today

The Internet of Things (IoT) is not only gaining ground in private households and large companies. IoT applications are also expected to play an important role for SMEs and start-ups in the future. In this blog post, we provide an overview of the Internet of Things, give examples of its use in the B2B sector and explain the connection between IoT and cloud computing.

Many market observers agree: After years of hype, the Internet of Things (IoT) seems to be on the verge of becoming mainstream for business applications. In the Swiss Developer Survey by swiss made software, IoT 2020 was classified by respondents as a "notable newcomer". IoT experts from the international consulting firm McKinsey estimate that the number of devices connected to the Internet of Things worldwide is expected to reach 43 billion by 2023, which would almost triple the number in 2018.

In this blog post, we show where the Internet of Things is already being used today in the B2B sector, why SMEs will also be able to increasingly use IoT applications in the future and how developers can easily develop, operate, test and scale new IoT solutions with the right IT environment.

What is the Internet of Things?

"The Internet of Things (IoT) is the process of connecting everyday physical objects to the internet. This includes general household objects such as light bulbs, healthcare products such as medical devices, but also wearables, smart devices and even smart cities," writes the US software company RedHat.

How does the IoT work?

According to RedHat, the IoT is "basically a system of physical devices that send and/or receive data over wireless networks with little human intervention". This is made possible by integrating computing devices into any system. A typical IoT system sends, receives and analyses data in a continuous feedback loop. Depending on the type of IoT technology, such analysis is performed either by data analysts or by artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).

Trend: E-health ensures rapid spread of IoT devices

A growing sector that is producing more and more IoT devices is e-health. Wellness and health awareness have become very important in the lives of many people. According to statistics platform Statista, the global health and wellness market was estimated at US$4.4 trillion in 2019 and is expected to reach US$6 trillion by 2025. Wearables linked to the IoT allow users to better track sports activities, sleep, heartbeat, body temperature or fluid intake. According to market research firm Grand View Research, the global wearables market was estimated at nearly US$33 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.9 per cent between 2020 and 2027.

Where the IoT is used today

For a long time, the Internet of Things was mainly known in connection with household objects such as lamps and refrigerators, wearables and smart devices. In this blog post, we would like to highlight B2B applications and therefore do not go into detail about IoT products for private households and individuals.

In the B2B sector, IoT solutions have led to a number of innovative solutions in Industry 4.0, logistics and transport, agriculture, smart living, connected cars and e-health. Below we show concrete examples of how companies can use the Internet of Things to increase efficiency.

Companies in the industrial sector, for example, have started to use IoT technologies to get direct connections to their machines and equipment. This constant monitoring enables predictive maintenance and improves equipment efficiency and uptime. In the logistics and transport industry, one of the first IoT implementations, according to RedHat, was the tagging of freight containers with RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification Devices) technology. Smart tags store data that is captured via radio waves. This allows logistics companies to monitor the movement of containers at specific RFID-enabled checkpoints, such as warehouses and shipping yards. Advances in IoT mean that logistics now use battery-powered tracking devices that continuously send data to IoT applications without the need for readers. This allows companies to analyse real-time data for deliveries anywhere in the supply chain.

The IoT has also revolutionised agriculture, for example through the use of moisture sensors. By using these sensors in their fields, farmers can now collect much more accurate data and plan irrigation. The moisture sensors can also be connected to IoT applications that control these systems, enabling automatic irrigation based on sensor data.

Why the IoT is on the rise

In this section, we list reasons why the Internet of Things is becoming more widespread:

• More affordable sensor technology: Sensor technology embedded in IoT devices is becoming more affordable.
• More computing power: In recent years, the computing power of computers and smart devices has increased massively. With the advent of 5G better mobile connectivity enables new applications around augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR).
• Connecting new devices: The IoT market will also grow because existing IT devices will be connected to the Internet of Things. Growth in traditional connected IT devices is admittedly moderate at around 2 per cent per year. However, more than five billion smartphones, two billion computers and one billion tablets around the world could already be connected to the IoT today.

IoT to play an important role for SMEs in the future

With business IoT solutions, companies can improve existing business models and build new connections with customers and partners. Just five years ago, it was too costly and time-consuming for a large proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises to implement IoT technology. In the future, however, IoT technology will be easier to implement, according to McKinsey's IoT experts, allowing more businesses to benefit from IoT applications. Although many large companies started investing significant resources in IoT technologies years ago, the beneficiaries of the next wave of IoT maturity will most likely be SMEs and start-ups. Even if they do not have the resources to carry out customised implementations, they can still invest in easy-to-use IoT solutions.

Would you as an SME like to try out new applications and solutions in a secure and stable cloud infrastructure? Book a demo now of the Xelon HQ or contact us!

IoT and the Cloud: How the Internet of Things and Cloud Computing Interact

The Internet of Things and cloud computing complement each other. The IoT generates new data and the cloud facilitates the central processing and storage of data. "Cloud computing in IoT works as part of a collaboration and is used to store IoT data. The cloud is a central server with computing resources that can be accessed on demand. Cloud computing is a simple transport method for the large data packets generated by the Internet of Things. Big Data can also be helpful in this process. In combination, IoT and cloud computing enable cost-effective automation of systems that supports real-time control and data monitoring," writes the British software company McKenna Consultants in a blog post.

This is how important IT infrastructure is when developing IoT solutions

IoT developers depend on a stable, secure and flexible IT infrastructure. It is essential that applications and the IT environment are always available. This is the only way to provide the development team with a functioning working environment. For innovative companies, it is also essential that the IT environment can be expanded within a very short time. Reasons for this can be new customers, additional projects or the hiring of new team members. With the purchase of cloud services, the required computing power can be continuously adapted as needed. In Xelon HQ, for example, new servers can be configured and more computing power activated within 60 seconds. Cloud storage space is usually billed monthly, so there is no need for large upfront payments.

With the right IaaS concept, IoT developers can concentrate on their main task

Only with the right concept can start-ups and developer teams exploit the full potential of the interplay between the Internet of Things and the cloud described above. Serious IaaS and cloud service providers elicit the individual needs of their customers in a personal conversation. How much performance is actually needed? What security precautions are required? Is the IT infrastructure to be expanded and extended in the foreseeable future? Do adjustments have to be made regularly? Are there load peaks? What about time and financial resources for the support of the IT environment? These questions need to be answered when creating a customised IT concept for innovative start-ups and developer teams.

Here you will find a checklist for choosing the right IT infrastructure provider.

Easily test new IoT applications with a cloud server

The cloud service provider ensures that applications run stably and reliably. Access to the rented cloud resources is possible from anywhere in the world and at any time, the only requirement is an internet connection. Servers in the cloud can be configured within minutes and are provided without a setup fee. Thanks to reliable hosting, software developers can access all files from a wide range of devices and easily test new applications. The cloud is accessible around the clock, which enables flexible working hours and minimises downtime.

Would you like to run, test and expand your IoT applications with our secure and stable Swiss cloud infrastructure? We offer attractive packages for start-ups registered in Switzerland. Book a demo now or contact us to find out more!