IoT applications: between disruption and opportunity. How should your business adapt to keep its relevance (insights by industry)

How do you perceive IoT applications in your industry? As disruptive? Or as an opportunity? Changes generate disruptions – that’s for sure! IoT applications as part of the digital transformation process are challenging projects. Not all development companies have the experience to take over these types of projects. On the other hand, developing IoT projects, it’s a must and a valuable asset for your business.

And here’s why…

What is IoT?

Connecting physical objects to virtual apps (with minimal human intervention) transformed the way consumers perceive the world today and how they set their expectations.

Beyond the mirage regarding the power of the internet, IoT apps – the Internet of Things – made possible an incredibly rich set of data provided by sensors.

If you asked me “What is IoT?” five years ago, I would probably be tempted to give you an elaborate and more informative answer (“the network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet” source: Wikipedia)

Today we are all familiar somehow with the IoT concept, being that kind of thing we’ve started to interact more often.

So, a nowadays answer for “What is IoT?” would be: The very next step companies and people must embrace to keep up with the dynamic reality.

IoT impact during pandemic (and beyond it)

The IoT prerequisite is to improve life (in both homes and workplaces) and to increase potential (for extending existing businesses and creating new ones, as well).

In the past years, the main promise of IoT applications referred to a cleaner environment (e.g., used for reducing waste), fewer costs (by reducing tasks volume and replacing humans on specific activities), and more productivity (allowing people and companies to keep a better focus on core objectives).

Resuming the impact expected with IoT applications, there are several levels at which its effects are more obvious:

• security – real-time monitoring of connected devices;
• communication – simplified and remote communication;
• efficiency – less human intervention, more dynamic tools;
• analytics – instant access to relevant data.

As was expected, during pandemic, IoT applications proved as key tools for responding to urgent needs. From facilitating remote work to providing more safe and healthy work environments (e.g., ensuring air quality, sanitation in buildings and transit systems, etc.) IoT helped both people and companies to adapt fast to the new reality.

What IoT for business means

IoT for business is different from IoT for consumers.

While IoT for consumers is focused mostly on increasing life quality, IoT for business is more about streamlining processes and tracking behaviors.

Some examples of what IoT applications change in a company’s environment:

• business processes;
• employee engagement and performance;
• number of activities completed by humans;
• behavioral data volume;
• monitoring capabilities;
• safety and security;
• communication and interconnectedness.

And our focus at Roweb, is on delivering end-to-end projects for companies. Being aware that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, we offer custom developments to respond to each company’s needs differentially.

IoT and its applications (by industry)

Transportation

E.g., #1 – Real-time monitoring vehicles through sensors. Using these IoT apps, the fleet managers have access to smart reports and trackings for geographical location, drivers’ profile, drivers’ behavior in the car, arrival/departure time, etc.

E.g., #2 – Smartphone app connected with physical devices increasing comfort in the driver’s cab by providing efficient control over 3 devices: e-fresh, season sleeper, and the liftable bed.

Agriculture

E.g., – Sensors and apps work together for identifying and regulate the climate in the greenhouses.

Logistics

This industry is developed IoT apps for tracking and managing locations and routes and managing and tracking inventories.

Retail & distribution verticals

E.g., #1 – IoT applications based on sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, or any other indicator considered relevant for spaces where goods are traded or stored (e.g., used in warehouses).

E.g., #2 – IoT applications for tracking customers’ behavior and preferences.

Building management

From the smart office concepts (able to simplify remote work, increase productivity and provide a safe workplace) to automated technologies to reduce environmental impact (e.g., reducing energy consumption), IoT applications became a valuable asset for every company.

Beyond standard solutions, IoT developments for building management must be approached as specific ones (taking into account several types of buildings).

Custom developments are recommended especially for:

• industrial buildings;
• historical buildings;
• educational buildings (schools);
• cultural buildings (museums, art galleries, churches, etc.);
• commercial buildings (mall, retail gallery, etc.);
• touristic buildings (hotel and apartments).

Smart cities (energy metering or public transport monitoring)

Relating the smart city concept to IoT is top of mind for most people.

A Smart City is defined through the application of a wide range of Internet of Things (IoT) like:

• sensors and digital technologies placed in communities and cities;
• applications for buildings performance;
• smart technologies for managing energy consumption;
• urban waste management;
• apps for public lighting management;
• public transport management.

IoT trends: How should your business adapt to keep its relevance

IoT story is far from being over. In fact, the greatest boom is yet to come. Take a look at what stats say about how the IoT market will evolve:

• 30 billion – estimated number of IoT device connections by 2025 (IoT Analytics, 2020);
• 11.7% – the 2020 market share of IoT application software (IDC, 2020);
• The amount of data generated by IoT devices is expected to reach 73.1 ZB (zettabytes) by 2025;
• By 2025, there will be 152,200 IoT devices connecting to the internet per minute.

How should your business adapt to keep its relevance? It’s essential to develop what fits best for your company’s needs – so, when it comes to IoT, a custom solution it’s a must. If you manage a non-tech business or your teams have no experience developing projects for IoT, the wisest approach is to find a reliable IoT development company to work with.

IoT opportunities: why choose IoT applications for your business?

• Competitive advantage: a customer-centric business approach;
• Data value: turn raw data into valuable insights for making business decisions;
• Results: more profitable actions – less operational costs;
• Tech trends: modern technologies for better services;
• Safety and security: improved workplace security/safer trading environment;
• New business model: modernized business model and more revenue opportunities.

IoT projects: how we turned ideas into reliable IoT solutions

Why develop IoT solutions with Roweb

Roweb is a custom software development company, started in 2004 with offices in 4 major cities: Bucharest, Pitesti, Craiova, and Râmnicu Vâlcea.

With our 130+ IT professionals’ experience and the latest software development technologies, we focus on building Enterprise, Web, Mobile applications, and E-commerce solutions.

We work with companies from all over the world, and we understand the needs of and provide solutions for companies of all sizes ranging from start-ups to large enterprises.

Custom services and complete IoT development teams for turning your ideas into innovative end-to-end solutions.

IoT development services we provide:

• IoT consultancy;
• Hardware programming and interfaces;
• Networking and communication;
• Security systems;
• IoT analytics;
• IoT integrations;
• IoT Apps Development;
• System Design and implementation.

Technologies we use for IoT projects: LPWAN, GPRS, Microsoft Azure IoT: IoT Hub, IoT Edge, Stream Analytics, .NET, C#, NodeJs, Angular, SQL, NoSQL

What our clients say about working with us

External references