New to the Internet of Things (IoT) and ready to find out how it could transform your business? We’ve got all the answers to your questions about making it work for you.

For a term that is now widely used, which describes a technological phenomenon that touches thousands of daily activities, and supports much of the daily fabric of life, IoT still struggles for recognition and understanding. 

At its simplest, IoT refers to billions of devices – the ‘things’ – that are connected to the internet. These aren’t the servers, PCs, laptops, tablets, or phones we normally associate with computer networks. These ‘things’ can range from everyday domestic objects to vast industrial equipment. 

The ‘things’ of IoT can be as simple as a smart lightbulb or thermostat that can be controlled from an app on your phone, or as complex as an entire electricity grid that connects thousands of physical assets and control systems. 

For example, IoT can track life-saving equipment in hospitals and make a difference in spotting potentially critical defects early on. An industrial plant can tell its operators what bit of equipment needs immediate maintenance, which equipment can run longer than predicted, and whether replacement parts are in stock. 

Almost any device or object can become part of IoT, provided it can be connected to a network. If you’re wearing a smart watch or fitness tracker, you’re wearing an IoT ‘thing’. In this sense, IoT is exactly what it says: a series of objects connected using internet technology.

In the UK, Ofcom expects the number of IoT-connected devices to reach 156 million in 2024 – up from 13 million in 2016; 70 billion things will be connected to the internet in the future.

Of course, once we look under the hood, the reality of IoT is a little more complex. 

It is more accurate to talk about many internets of things, rather than a monolithic network. Each device is connected only to a limited number of others. Something like an aeroplane, or an oil rig, which is already a collection of intricate, interconnected systems are likely to have several separate IoT networks within those systems. Although those internal networks will likely be able to ‘talk’ to each other – the plane will not be on the same network as the oil rig. 

Then there’s the actual technologies involved. IoT is not a single technology, but a collection of separate and necessarily interoperable solutions. 

The ‘things’ are enabled by sensors that harvest the relevant data and inform smarter decisions. Critically, the communication of this data to the user is central to the entire process. That data is transmitted through robust connectivity networks, protected by sophisticated cyber security measures. Control mechanisms determine when and where the data is to be gathered and distributed, while software reads and interprets it to create actionable, accessible, and accurate intelligence.

All this enables the ‘things’ to connect and – crucially – exchange real-time data with selected devices. That data is the real driver behind IoT innovation and adoption.

At its core, the principle of IoT systems is about providing deep insights and context with previously unavailable, or inaccessible, data. When that data is fed into advanced analytics systems, machine learning algorithms or artificial intelligence – invariably using cloud-based capabilities – builds even greater predictive capabilities. 

That enables domestic, commercial, and industrial users to make forecasts, prevent operational mishaps, increase efficiency and productivity of business operations, and make smarter decisions based on accurate, accessible, and actionable intelligence. To give four examples:

IoT-enabled monitoring can improve safety and security of personnel in the fleet or factory floor by supporting remote operations and immersive training. IoT-enabled asset tracking can improve inventory management, ensure compliant storage where required, reduce warehouse theft, and minimise insurance claims.

IoT-powered asset tracking and monitoring in hospitals ensure that the use of critical equipment and beds is optimised. AI-enabled video surveillance with computer vision keeps frontline workers safe, while home-based patient care can monitor and improve patient wellbeing.

IoT can also have implications for sustainability – the technology can be deployed in residential and commercial buildings to manage their energy demand and consumption to improve efficiency and occupant comfort. Reducing usage through demand-driven heating, lighting, and cooling is essential given the current rise in energy bills.

One survey found that 45% of people believe technology that monitors or tracks energy makes it easier to see the difference they can make. This will be key for businesses navigating these economically turbulent times and as we look to create the sustainable ‘smart cities’ of the future.

Manufacturers can slash the cost of production defects with rapid analysis of products and processes that ensure all assembly tasks are completed correctly. The move towards Industry 4.0, for example, has seen immense progress through smart technology and we are beginning to witness the potential of digital manufacturing. Smart factories will be able to better protect the production line by predicting early malfunctions, improving asset management, and streamlining production planning and scheduling.

Digitised data and access to data insights will also help to reduce unplanned downtime. Increased productivity will drive the digital revolution. The common theme is that many thousands of manual interventions – major and minor – and their associated risks and inefficiencies are removed. Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring become standard. The human environment becomes smarter, more efficient, more responsive – and consequently less wasteful.

With society facing major challenges around energy transition and the worldwide allocation of resources, these are extremely desirable outcomes.

The rapid expansion of IoT and related technologies undoubtedly delivers significant advantages. 

However, that rapid expansion has created some challenges. Almost every enterprise now has large estates of devices and sensors that need managing, connectivity that needs maintaining and data that needs protecting. They need a full portfolio of [connectivity and control products and tools either managed or stand-alone, so that the most appropriate solutions can be deployed.

Private 5G is a critical foundation for future industrial operations. Its coverage, reliability, throughput, ultra-low latency, and security enables a host of new applications to digitally transform operations, all supported over a single network, instead of needing to operate multiple different network solutions and the associated complexity and cost of this.

Over the past few years, there have also been plenty of organisations that have implemented IoT solutions without a sound business case or clear objectives. They now have to retro-fit use cases to the technology – a process which inevitably leads to sub-optimal results and potential benefits that have yet to be realised.

These organisations may now need external expertise to create value from investments already made, and to ensure that future expenditure delivers on expectations.

The IoT can be a transformative force for all kinds of businesses. By measuring, managing, and monitoring assets, and delivering insights, it helps reduce costs by uncovering hidden inefficiencies and increasing both agility and resilience. It not surprising that in Hewlett Packard’s The Internet of Things: Today and Tomorrow report,  83% of organisations say they have seen a significant increase in business efficiency and innovation with IoT technology.

As for where it goes next, we can expect IoT deployments to evolve into new areas and solve new problems. For example, as sustainability becomes more important to stakeholders and investors, we will see more IoT solutions used for environmental monitoring to improve energy efficiency, air quality and resource use. And, as sustainability improves, so does employee satisfaction.

We can also expect greater convergence of technologies: operational and information technologies (OT/IT) coming together into single pieces of smart equipment, connectivity capabilities being integrated into previously unconnected objects, and single multi-functional devices replacing multiple point solutions for further efficiencies. 

We will also see IoT solutions deployed on much a wider scale. There are plenty of current examples of individual networks deployed in cities – to manage traffic, public transport, individual buildings, and space usage, and to support vital care, health, and social services. Those networks are also likely to become more closely integrated for truly smart cities that adjust to the needs of inhabitants as they move through their day.

What’s more, bringing together multiple different information sources will gradually help businesses make even better decisions and foster an iterative process of innovation.

Whatever the future holds for IoT, each project will need rock-solid connectivity that is robust, resilient, and always ready. It will need security and data privacy, from the device to the data centre. It will be designed specifically for the location in which it will be used.

That’s why many of the UK’s biggest businesses work with BT.  We’ve got the expertise, data security, and network infrastructure to meet their goals.