What You Need to Know About the Internet of Things (IoT)

The world is continually getting smarter and more connected as technology infiltrates nearly every aspect of our lives. Internet-connected devices are now in virtually every room of our homes and offices and are helping to collect data, take in information about their surroundings, and communicate via the Internet of Things.

Often simply referred to as the “IoT,” the Internet of Things refers to the worldwide network of physical devices that are now connected to the Internet and connecting/transmitting data. It has been said that this revolutionary network will have the biggest technological impact on our lives since the development of cloud computing.

From thermostats and sensors to light bulbs and refrigerators, any object can be turned into an Internet of Things device if it can be connected to the Internet. The enormity of this topic can often lead businesses wondering how it will affect them and what exactly they need to know about IoT in general.

Here are just a few things to consider about the Internet of Things:

• IoT is not just a gimmick. – It is easy to see how current consumer Internet of Things goods can come across as a fun marketing scheme, but this does not mean that all IoT devices are not truly helpful choices for businesses. When you consider the technology used for your business, think about how interconnected devices and insightful data could help you better achieve your goals.
• Connected devices offer real insights. – IoT can offer businesses access to data about their own products, internal systems, processes, and procedures so that they can make changes that offer real results. Companies are already using sensors and devices to collect information that helps make their supply chains and systems more efficient or responsive. There are two main segments of IoT for businesses: industry-specific offerings (i.e. specialized sensors for certain products) and generalized IoT devices (i.e. smart thermostats).
• The benefits are real. – The Internet of Things promises to make our world smarter, more measurable, and more united. While it is primarily promoted as something to improve efficiency, IoT implementation can also offer sustainability, enhanced customer and user experiences, improved business insight, higher levels of employee productivity, and many other benefits. Data collected from said devices can be used to tell business owners and leaders how their company is doing to allow them to make quicker, more informed choices for the future.

While the benefits and offerings of the Internet of Things are truly remarkable, they are not totally foolproof as with anything connected to the Internet. The increasing amount devices mean that organizations need to understand the terminology and concepts of IoT to support and manage devices within their environments.  IT professionals must have a baseline knowledge of developing, operating and managing considerations unique to IoT ecosystems in order to manage systems and make decisions on IoT implementations.

At CertNexus, we have developed our Certified IoT Practitioner training to help participants gain the foundational knowledge of IoT concepts, technologies, and tools that will enable them to become a capable practitioner of the Internet of Things. To learn more about our training, click here!