By allowing physical objects to wirelessly connect with one another, the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the world around us – and this revolution is particularly evident in the business world. From manufacturing to retail (and everything in between), I have found that above all, IoT is especially making its mark on 7 industries: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, Transportation, Government/Public Sector, Agriculture, and Environmental. This blog will provide some detail as to how IoT is transforming 3 of these industries, while Part 2 will cover the final 4 industries.
The first three industries being transformed by IoT:
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Manufacturing
Listed as number 1 for a reason, IoT is huge and will continue to grow by leaps and bounds in manufacturing as global companies gain the ability to monitor and manage their facilities around the world in real-time. Manufacturers are able to collect and assess better data, which inevitably leads to significant improvement in production times and output, plus safety measures for workers on the factory floor. Overall efficiency is improved when considering the following factors:
- Increased machine-to-machine (M2M) connections
- Reduced system downtime’s
- Lower maintenance costs
- Optimized inventory levels
- Prevention of unnecessary expenditures
Click to view full [Infographic]: How the Internet of Things is Transforming Manufacturing
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Healthcare
As in other industries, IoT allows healthcare operations to run more efficiently, particularly in the area of inventory. From pharmaceuticals to medical equipment, each item is right where it should be, ready to use when the situation warrants. IoT enables hospital staff to spend more time on patient care (as staff should be!), instead of administrative tasks, looking for medical supplies, and repetitive testing and questioning of patients.
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Retail
IoT facilitates data collection throughout all phases of the supply chain, including tracking the location and condition of specified items. In turn, retailers can assess and improve operations, implement changes to their process, and optimize costs.
As quoted by Nick D’Alessio, Global Retail Practice Leader of Zebra Technologies, “With the Internet of Things, retailers will be empowered with the intelligence to make strategic, informed business decisions that improve customer loyalty and associate effectiveness while creating exciting experiences for their shoppers.”
Do you work in manufacturing, healthcare, or retail? How has IoT begun shaping your profession? Let us know on Twitter @L-TronCorp.
About the Author:
Carmella Giancursio is L-Tron’s Public Relations Specialist & Content Editor. When she’s not working, spending time with her husband, or taking care of her 3 young kids, she can be found in the kitchen, channeling her Italian heritage! Email info@L-Tron.com with questions, or call us at (800) 830-9523