In Pursuit of Digital Transformation - Benefits and Strategy

Internet of Things: Challenges for the modern enterprise

Posted By: Nikki Johnson,

The Internet of Things is said to trigger the third major technological revolution in history after the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s and the Internet Revolution of the 1990s. The ability to harness data from any and every kind of device in the system, and exploit the data to achieve a larger outcome, is changing the way we live our lives or run our businesses.

Although various kinds of sensors are being used from a few decades, the combination of data gathering and analytic softwares, which IoT services represents, is relatively newer. It offers unlimited possibilities for extracting real-time information, and build superior systems or manage business better. And Aloha Technology is at the forefront of IoT innovation and business process adaptation.

Common challenges faced by ISVs

  • From a data architecture point of view: With more and more organizations implementing BYOD or ‘bring your own devices’, the data architecture for an IoT system must factor various devices, instruments and a host of softwares, along with their native operating systems. This gives the system the flexibility to gather or capture data from any source, anywhere in the enterprise.
  • From an infrastructure point of view: The above point implies that data-gathering devices must be liberally embedded all over the offices and physical infrastructure of the organization. Aloha Technology offers IoT integrations in the form of RFID tags, Bluetooth beacons, and a host of sensors to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, movement, etc.
  • Server-side programming languages:
    • Fleet Management: From cargo-ships to an assortment of vehicles used on the road, every vehicle can relay its position to a cloud-based system using sensors
    • Preventive maintenance:  Vehicles and hardware equipment such as instruments or devices can be monitored for the possibility of breakdown or the need for repair
    • Retail business While RFID tags can monitor customers’ movements; facial recognition software can analyze their expressions. This is then used to drive discounts or offers
    • Farm Productivity: By monitoring climatic data, farmers can be advised on when, and how much to irrigate their fields

Implementing an IoT System: Requirements and Challenges

  • Infrastructural preparedness: Public and private infrastructure remains the biggest hurdle for most business organizations around the world. An IoT system generates a lot of data which must be relayed to the cloud or to other systems through the internet. This calls for robust, high-speed internet connections and a mature communications infrastructure. Metros in India and most countries are adopting 5G which offers high data speeds required to maximize RoI from an IoT system.
  • System and Data Security: An IoT-based system generates and interacts with a lot of data, some of which are sensitive, such as facial recognition information, bank and financial transactions, movement or availability of humans in a particular environment, etc. Such data can reach the hands of hackers and criminals who may use it for harmful intent. We at Aloha Technology believe that it is then imperative that security is thoroughly planned and executed before commissioning an IoT-based system.
  • Component Visibility: The above point automatically implies that administrators of an IoT-based system have clarity on which are the devices plugged into or not plugged into the system at any point of time, to weed out unauthorized devices or users.
  • Lack of standards and best practices: Despite its widespread use, IoT is still in its infancy, so standards and best practices are yet to evolve. By partnering with Aloha Technology, organizations can overcome challenges with calculated experimentation while making innovations easier to integrate and use.

Looking ahead

The earliest adopters of IoT have been Healthcare, Energy, Utilities, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Hospitality and Agriculture. Other industries will follow suit with the IoT market getting crowded. There are more than 400 IoT platforms and by 2020, funding for IoT-related ventures is expected to reach USD 290 billion. This will create a vibrant ecosystem for business organizations, end-users, solution providers and third-party vendors who will add value in various ways, thereby enriching the IoT ecosystem. Talk to Aloha Technology and see how you can integrate IoT into your business strategy.