Essential Elements of Internet of Things Strategy

May 08, 2017

The Internet of Things is all about new creating a world of opportunities. But with opportunities come challenges. The long journey of Internet of Things requires careful planning and evaluation of objectives to ensure your business can leverage IoT opportunities.

Before installing sensors, deciding on the infrastructure, working from the cloud and analyzing data, organizations should pause to deeply consider what IoT means to them and how it can work to the highest potential. The journey requires innovative thinking and technological breakthrough.

Here are essential elements of Internet of Things Solutions strategy:

Evolution & Planning phase

A strategy begins with idea and scales to new heights over a period of time. To put it in simple terms a strategy begins with just the basics. It could be the stage of gathering information, planning and strategizing. The rough vision provides a first-hand idea of what could be achieved. Once you have a rough vision it is about time to validate and incorporate ideas into prototype. The validated strategy provides a roadmap for final strategy. This will be the strategy document for any additional IoT projects in the future.

Select the Right IoT Platform and Solution Provider

IoT is a complex system requiring running of multiple systems. Beware of the pitfalls of complexity that come with running multiple systems based on multiple point solutions. Experts recommend partnering with an Internet of Things development company and IoT platform vendor or for a seamless experience for all your project requirements.

Many midsized-to-large enterprise software vendors have ventured into the IoT market in recent years, offering IoT products, but few are complete IoT platforms that solve objectives. With a robust platform, there might be need to depend on different partners to deliver IoT products and services. This will increase level of complexity and costs, as well as expanding capabilities.

Getting Smarter with IoT

IoT and smart home automation system developers need to think about the big picture. IoT is about making lives of users smarter, healthier, safer and more comfortable. Whether it is home automation, energy monitoring, entertainment automation, or security automation, it is all about understanding consumers and making their lives simpler. The home devices need to connect to the cloud, understand home-related tasks to efficiently meet the needs of the residents, ensuring their comfort and security.

Driving Operational Efficiencies

The value of IoT is clear. It should drive operational efficiencies and reintroduce new business models. Your IoT strategy should provide effective way to improve cut costs and improve the possibility of adding revenue streams. By using computers, devices, sensors and real-time data, organizations can move to a data-centric approach.

Conclusion

While IoT is in nascent stage, many challenges remain. Customer expectations are hard to gauge and millions of endpoints need to be integrated. This is a humongous task considering security and reliability. Users are now becoming more aware about controlling their personal data and concerned about tracking of information, as well as vulnerability of the devices and clouds that make up the IoT.

In such scenario, companies and perhaps some highly regulated industries might be unwilling to share data in an IoT context, especially given the ambiguity about stability and security.

Written by Albert Smith

Albert Smith

Albert Smith is Digital Marketing Manager at Hidden Brains. An experienced search engine specialist, content, social media marketer and a technical enthusiast, Albert frequently writes on diverse topics such as social media marketing trends, web & mobile app development best practices. He has worked with some of leading brands to build their online presence and scale their businesses.