Internet of Things: The future of devices

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Internet of Things: The future of devices Table of contents

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3 2. How have different industries benefitted from the Internet of Things? .............. 3 2.1 IoT in transportation ..................................................................................... 4 2.2 IoT in retail: .................................................................................................. 5 2.3 IoT at the workplace: .................................................................................... 5 3. How will IoT shape industries in future? .......................................................... 6 3.1 Smart Cities: Cities of the future: .................................................................. 6 3.1.1 Smart-work centres: .............................................................................. 6 3.1.2 Energy saving/smart metering: .............................................................. 6 3.1.3 City infrastructure and municipal services: ........................................... 7 3.1.3 Private sector applications (retail): ........................................................ 7 3.1.4 IoT in education: ................................................................................... 7 3.2 Intelligent device application around the world: ........................................... 7 3.2.1 Home automation: ............................................................................... . 7 3.2.2 Elderly care: .......................................................................................... 8 4. Why do businesses need an IoT strategy? ........................................................ 8 5. In conclusion: .................................................................................................... 9 6. Annexure: ......................................................................................................... 10

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Internet of Things: The future of devices Introduction: Communication has come a long way from the time of smoke signals and carrier pigeons. The creation of the first functional telephone by Alexander Graham Bell ensured that instant communication over long distances was made a reality. This evolved further with the creation of wireless telecommunication technology, and the subsequent evolution of the internet. Mankind has always looked to simplify tasks. The creation of tools, weapons for hunting, implements for farming etc., show that there has always been a desire to simplify tasks. The creation of the first simple machines heralded a significant moment, as now, we could accomplish tasks without the physical labour required to finish them adequately. The industrial age saw improvements made, and a marriage between machinery and communications technology. The ‘Internet of Things’ is one of the better known outcomes of this marriage, and can be the next paradigm shift in our evolution.

So how does this benefit businesses? How sensor based information gathering and greater automation can be a boon for the average enterprise? This whitepaper will look at some examples which cover these and other aspects related to the influence of the telecommunications sector as a solution provider in the ‘Internet of Things’ market.

How have different industries benefitted from the Internet of Things? IoT can be used by various industries to meet their strategic and consumer-based goals. It is the way forward for most organisations across sectors. In this section we look at three examples from different sectors and how they have gone about using current day IoT to leverage their business

The ‘Internet of Things’, allows for devices or physical objects with sensors embedded in them to communicate and exchange data with operators or other connected devices. This data can either used to carry out a function or to aid in the carrying out of a function. Examples of this technological revolution are already evident, and with faster computing speeds and heavy investments being made, the ‘Internet of Things’ might serve as a game-changer in the way we interact with objects, other people and technology in general.

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needs and returns.

Internet of Things: The future of devices IoT in Transportation: Transportation is a sector that stands to benefit tremendously by implementing IoT solutions. Today, the world’s largest taxi company, operates completely on technology platforms. This giant has harnessed the smart phone’s power and using wireless internet and global position, created an on-demand cab service which has seen billions of dollars earned. This conglomerate identified an opportunity in the market, where potential customers looking for a taxi, and drivers who are free at that point of time, can communicate and find each other. This service allows drivers to work according to their convenience, and for

The cab booking process follows a similar algorithm and begins with the customer interacting with the service’s application on their smart device, setting up an account and entering their credit/debit card details to facilitate payment for their ride. The “request” in this context is the moment when the user of the service requests for a car. Once a pickup point is established the driver heads to the location by using GPS and map-based routing on a smart device. On the customer’s smartphone, the driver’s position can be tracked via the app, again via GPS, providing a real-time dashboard view, such as the driver’s position and the estimated time to the customer’s location.

customers to get a taxi ride to their destination, at their discretion.

Why is this IoT? IoT applications function in a certain manner, with processes defined and adhered to at all times.

Once seated in the car, the driver pays all the tolls and charges along the way till the customer has been dropped off at a destination. The transaction is automated and cashless. As soon as the ride is

• Requests from people or sensors are transmitted to a central cloud-server

complete, the customer’s payment option is debited with the cost of the trip electronically. A ratings system exists for both drivers and customers to rate

• A fast, decision making system uses the “context” provided by multiple sources of data, to analyse real-time information • Based on the information analysis and context, the system triggers action/s • Complex actions based on an individual’s inputs, feedback, ratings etc. can be used to trigger further actions

their journey. This data is essential as it helps improve customer satisfaction levels. If drivers have consistently low ratings, they can automatically be released from service, while they can also be rewarded for good ratings or travelling a certain distance. This service is currently one of the closest examples of using the power of Internet of Things, enabling a very high level of automation. With other technology giants aiming to bring in driverless cars, a truly machine-to-machine IoT model is not far from reality.

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Internet of Things: The future of devices IoT in retail:

Sensors placed strategically at work stations allow organisations to monitor their work-force’s

Recently, a leading e-retail giant, designed and

efficiency, while also letting stake-holders know

implemented a new solution that changes the way

when spaces are available so that they can get in

inventory management is handled by businesses

touch with replacements or other employees to

and individual consumers alike. Using an integrated

occupy those spaces. The entire process can be

system, the company offers customers the option of

automated and is already being used across the

either replenishing their stock by pressing a physical

world by a number of organisations to great effect.

button, or allowing an automated system to place

Manual intervention is available as well, to allow for

orders directly with the e-retailer when stocks are

error correction or conflicts.

low.

All these IoT implementations are used real-time,

Using built-in sensors these storage, vending and

alongside existing technology. With rapid

transport systems communicate with each other to

development in the fields of technology,

ensure that stocks are at optimal levels. Powered by

telecommunications and machine-to-machine

the Internet of Things systems, this model may soon

automation, the Internet of Things has made the

change the way many brands in different sectors

possibility of automated work, business,

function. For example, multinational restaurant

infrastructure and interaction – available and

brands can adopt this technology to manage their

already functioning.

inventory better, thereby reducing workforce, warehousing and transport costs.

IoT at the workplace: Hot-desking is another concept that has taken off globally to great success across numerous organisations. Hot-desking allows companies to maintain optimal space utilisation by their work-force, by dynamically allocating - physical working space, as per availability. Businesses that work around the clock, or those that work in shifts stand to benefit the most from this concept. This technology is powered by the Internet of Things.

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Internet of Things: The future of devices How will IoT shape lives and businesses?

One aspect of making the city smart, is to help ensure that low-income families have access to smart devices. To enable this, a program is in place where a tax rebate is provided to citizens who

IoT has the potential to revolutionise the way

donate their old devices, when they purchase new

everything functions. It can help fuel sustained

devices. The donated devices are distributed

growth while improving safety, living and working

amongst low-income families, making the features

conditions. It may usher in a large degree of

of the smart city

automatic sensor based data collection, information

Smart-work centres:

processing and decision making.

The Smart City Example:

Smart devices may also be integrated with smart-work centres for government employees, planned across the city of Seoul. This will allow

What is a ‘smart city’? The answer to this and other

users access to state of the art infrastructure,

questions on the subject of smart cities, is available in

computers and tele-conferencing facilities, ensuring

South Korea, where the incorporation of technology in

that long distance commutes are reduced and the

the daily lives of the inhabitants in the city of Seoul

employees’ quality of life is improved. The aim for

has already begun. The smart city project is being

the government is to ensure that at least 30% of its

incorporated by the government to ensure that all

workforce works from these remote smart offices

citizens receive opportunities and the means to live a

within the year.

life in relative comfort. Seoul, by almost all standards of reckoning, is extremely tech-savvy and tech-friendly as a city. It has consistently been at the top of the United Nations e-Government Survey since 2003. In 2011, an announcement was made for the launch of “Smart Seoul 2015” to prove Seoul’s credentials as a global ICT leader. It followed the initial u-Seoul project which brought about technological advancements in city infrastructure such as transport and safety. While u-Seoul improved services, it wasn’t necessarily

Energy saving/smart metering:

focused on people. ‘Smart Seoul’ has changed that,

Energy consumption has also been identified as an

with an emphasis on improving the lives of people.

avenue where the use of smart metering can save

accessible to everyone.

10% energy used in Seoul. A pilot test that started in 2012 yielded promising results, where smart

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Internet of Things: The future of devices meters were placed in a thousand homes, offices and factories. These meters provided real-time insights into resource consumption in terms of monetary units, while also providing data on energy consumption patterns. This will allow adjustments to be implemented to reduce consumption and increase savings.

City infrastructure and municipal services:

If a user wants to buy them they just need to interact with the billboard using their camera and the product is delivered to their address within the day. Money transfers and payments for services can also be made using NFC compatible devices.

Education: Schools also stand to benefit from ICT. School Newsletter apps allows parents to be clued in to the goings on, at their children’s schools. It also

In the Eun-Pyeong district, high-tech street lamps in

allows them to prepare in advance for any changes

the city, beam wireless Internet, play the radio and

in the academic curriculum for their children or of

also reduce energy use. Air and water quality are

items their children need to carry with them to

also monitored using sensors placed at strategic

school on the next day. Those integrated with

locations in and around the city. These sensors

Location Based Services, let parents know when

transmit data directly to the devices used by the local

the school bus is about to arrive and shows its

populace. Currently, the Seoul Metropolitan

real-time location.

Government offers access to 150 different services in

Home automation:

the areas of healthcare, education, infrastructure and even cultural tourism. Over 30,000 services offered by the government and its affiliates are expected to be available for the public via the online system being currently implemented.

Home automation is now a reality thanks to various organisations that have established themselves in the marketplace with offerings that are effective and allow for benefits in the long run. Intelligent smoke and intruder alarms, along with thermostats that keep learning and evolving the more they are used. Cameras which communicate over the internet to handheld smart devices are paving the way forward for home automation.

Private sector applications Retail: A privately developed app, HomePlusTM is also making waves in the world of retail. Electronic billboards display products at strategic locations across the city.

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Internet of Things: The future of devices Elderly care: The Internet of Things can also be used for effective elderly care. Wearable devices have shown huge potential in helping monitor the vitals and other health related aspects of the wearer. Wearable technology is already being used by healthcare professionals to monitor their patient’s health. Sensors positioned strategically for the elderly can help prevent accidents. For example, pressure sensing floor-pads, sensors in the patient’s beds and their wheelchairs help healthcare professionals

Small changes can reap big dividends and

identify if the patient needs to be shifted or if they

organisations can take incremental steps towards

have fallen. This reduces the costs for providers in

their integrating technology with their processes.

the long-term, as care professionals can now work

The process can begin identifying process which

with more people than they could have worked with

may be automated or enhanced, and incorporating

before, in a more effective manner.

IoT technology into it. For example, businesses that have factories can connect robots on the

Why do businesses need an IoT strategy?

factory floor to their back-end to improve their

Businesses tend to evolve over time to suit the needs

leads to increased efficiency.

of the market. A business that cannot evolve will tend

IoT also helps identify ways in which customer

to stagnate, and over time, become obsolete.

satisfaction levels can be improved upon. Data

Businesses and brands need to jump on the

driven insights can allow for anticipation of

bandwagon quickly as their competitors might get

customer buying behaviour. Agility of services may

ahead of them, because of emerging IoT

be enhanced with IoT supplying real-time

technologies.

information from supply chains, on competition,

Businesses also stand to gain by supplementing their

customer demand and on changing market

current IT infrastructure with IoT. Most IoT solutions

conditions. Strategies can then be devised to

are designed to blend with existing IT infrastructure

improve service and delivery models. By getting

to facilitate smooth inter-functionality. IoT combined

devices and systems to communicate with each

with business intelligence tools, can provide insights

other, businesses can identify and scale up

into the needs of the end user, the manner in which

processes that are consistently in demand, or have

products are used and consumed and the internal

the potential to provide increased and improved

production or service process.

revenues in the long term.

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production up-time. The simplification of processes possible with an integrated IoT strategy

Internet of Things: The future of devices To summarise: The Internet of Things can revolutionise the way people, systems and organisations communicate. Over time, this communication can help bring about a positive change for companies and individuals alike. Integration of technology into delivery of products or services, has become imperative, especially with consumer attention divided across competing attention grabbing devices. The right tools, service platforms and partner ecosystems can empower businesses to grow, and remain competitive. IoT solutions allow for seamless integration of existing IT infrastructure with newer, more effective solutions. Each solution may be tailor-made and adjusted to ensure that the needs of businesses across the spectrum, are taken care of. Businesses can implement an IoT solution to automate aspects that were not possible before thanks to breakthroughs on the technological front. IoT also allows them to make the jump into the future knowing that their business won’t just run; that they will have the potential to thrive in an even more competitive environment, allowing for focusing of attention on developing the business rather than putting out fires.

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Internet of Things: The future of devices Annexure https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things http://www.forbes.com/sites/oreillymedia/2014/04/18/ioth-the-internet-of-things-and-humans/ http://blogs.nasscom.in/the-internet-of-things-part-ii-uber-is-driving-to-where-iot-is-headed/ https://itunews.itu.int/En/4148-Smart-Seoul.note.aspx https://www.amazon.com/oc/dash-replenishment-service https://nest.com

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