Wouldn’t it be cool if businesses could operate entire manufacturing units virtually? Sounds surreal, right? Interestingly, this has been possible for quite some time with the Internet of Things (IoT). It enables factories to run 24x7 with minimal human intervention, which is why such units are also known as ‘dark factories'.

The phrase ‘Internet of Things’ gets thrown around a lot. But few outside tech circles can grasp its potential and what it actually means. We are here to break this down for you!

Simply explained, IoT interconnects several electronic devices and makes the transmission of information practicable. It is an umbrella term to describe any ‘thing’ you see around which is embedded with sensors, software, and applied sciences to connect and exchange information with other devices over the internet. This network is developed to eliminate human-to-machine interaction as much as possible.

IoT In Daily Life

Knowingly or unknowingly, everyone has made the Internet of Things a crucial part of their day-to-day lives. Check out the list of IoT-enabled devices you might be using daily:

* Smart appliances like stoves, washers and dryers, slow cookers, etc.

* Smart security systems help control lighting, home heating, and cooling appliances.

* Smart voice-based assistants like Alexa and Siri.

* Smart scales, fitness trackers, and the list goes on and on and on!

IoT And Its Industrial Usage

From providing valuable insights into the machine performance to calculating the supply chain and logistics operations, IoT-enabled smart devices help to enhance the productivity of businesses in unimaginable ways.

Companies find this technology useful as it can be used to reduce the workload of employees and also to come up with new business models. Regardless of the nature of your company, you can use these tools to increase safety, stimulate innovation and bring a greater return on investment in real time.

How Is IoT Useful?

As discussed earlier at tech expos in Dubai, IoTs target reducing labor costs while improving service delivery. It makes business processes less expensive and provides clarity to customer transactions. Here is a list of a few benefits that IoT has to offer:

Helps In Better Decision Making

Being sensor-sensitive, IoT-enabled devices can gather a significant amount of data from different sources; more data means that you will be able to calculate better and make effective decisions for a wide range of purposes.

Enhanced Monitoring & Troubleshooting

IoT-enabled systems bring a wide range of benefits for businesses, whether it’s inventory management, asset tracking, supply chain management, and downtime reduction. But that’s not all. This tech also ensures that you have an idea of the health and condition of the smart devices which are for your personal use. For instance, many people miss out on getting their HVAC units serviced because of their hectic schedules. What if the systems themselves let you know that it’s time for a quick pick-me-up with timely reminders? This way, you get to increase the lifespan of your devices and know when replacements are needed.

Wrapping Up

The Internet of Things has made inanimate objects “come alive” by blurring this distinction between the real and the digital world. While it promises to make our lives easier, one must remember there are also significant disadvantages and security concerns that come with it.

As consumers, it is important to be aware of the good as well as the ugly side of emerging technologies so that we can keep ourselves safe. Technology conferences, such as the Internet 2.0 Conference in Dubai and Las Vegas, will offer a peek into best practices as well as emerging concerns in this field, so do attend them if you’re interested!