IoT stands for Internet of Things. With IoT technology, physical devices can be connected to the internet and to each other. An IoT device can be practically anything, such as a smartwatch, a car, or a home appliance. It can also be a sensor that monitors the position, temperature, humidity or other measurable traits of another physical object.
What is IoT used for?
IoT is part of our everyday lives. It allows devices to work independently, or as part of a larger system. Google Home and Amazon Alexa are IoT devices that are already familiar to many people.
IoT solutions are also widely used in business operations. Consider, for example, the Finnish Postal Service’s parcel machines. When a package is ready to be picked up, the recipient is sent a text message notification. They can open the locker and pick up their package using the code from the text message. IoT technology adds the “smart” to smart devices.
Another example of IoT is the rentable electric scooters that can be found in many cities. When someone wants to rent a scooter, they use a smartphone app that can communicate with the computer inside each scooter. The app can unlock the scooter, send a warning if the user goes outside the allowed geofenced area, and charge the user for the right number of minutes used.
What are the benefits of IoT for businesses?
IoT solutions are widely used in various sectors, such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and construction. IoT solutions can save time and money by increasing work efficiency. IoT can enable significant cost savings by automating processes and making them faster. Here are some examples of IoT solutions in different sectors:
- Logistics: tracking shipments. Monitoring the conditions of heat-sensitive cargo, such as food. Asset management.
- Industry: monitoring workers to improve work and safety at work. Equipment locating and maintenance based on usage time Production processes, energy consumption management and access control.
- Construction: locating equipment, materials or workers. Monitoring ambient conditions on the site. Tracking work progress Water damage detection in buildings
- Healthcare: locating hospital beds and other equipment. Monitoring physiological data and activity levels of seniors in care homes.
IoT can be used to solve a wide range of other problems as well. You can read more blog posts about different IoT solutions here.
Interested in improving your business operations with cost-effective IoT solutions? Kaltiot offers IoT services to companies in Oulu, around Finland, and worldwide.
