The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of hardware devices that send and receive data over a network. IoT devices include sensors and embedded hardware connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, cables, or cellular data services.
The devices send and receive information in real time, allowing data collection and remote control. Smart home devices and automated vehicle safety systems rely on IoT technology, but many IoT advances focus on the business world.
Connected devices can monitor equipment and processes and automate controls. Sensors can collect information on operations and give decision-makers data to help them decide on changes or improvements. Real-time monitoring and controls have applications in areas like supply chain management, inventory, equipment tracking, and predictive maintenance for machinery.
Here’s a closer look at how IoT devices help business operations.
How Organizations are Using IoT Technologies
Companies use IoT technologies to be more productive, make data-based decisions, monitor operations, and automate tasks. These systems benefit companies by reducing operating costs, improving process management, and increasing productivity and efficiency.
IoT offers advantages in many industries. Connected and embedded devices are widely used in medical facilities, the transport sector, and the finance world. Here is a deeper dive into these three examples.
Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry relies on IoT devices for several functions. Providers can use wearable devices for remote patient monitoring. Sensors can send real-time data to healthcare providers on vital signs like heart rate, respiration, or blood sugar. Doctors can analyze data and receive alerts if vitals reach unsafe levels. Patients can also use the information to monitor their own conditions.
In clinical settings, sensor-based asset tracking lets staff know the availability of medical equipment and the location of patients or other staff members. This information can help streamline health care and shorten emergency response times.
The increased use of IoT and digital health records has led to an increase in demand for IT staff with specialized medical knowledge.Â
Transportation Industry
IoT devices have applications in personal and public transportation and the shipping industry. Vehicle tracking is an example of how companies deploy IoT technology. Sensors with GPS provide real-time location data that helps improve fleet management and delivery tracking. The information can also help fleet managers optimize routes and track fuel efficiency.
Other devices can monitor vehicles’ condition. They can provide alerts about maintenance and help technicians fix problems early before they lead to on-the-road breakdowns. This lowers downtime and reduces the cost of repairs. It also increases safety by ensuring vehicles are always fully functioning and able to respond to conditions on the road.
Finance Industry
IoT technology brings better security and customer experiences to the finance sector. For instance, point-of-sale (POS) terminals can send data to fraud detection software. The programs can use this information to identify suspicious activity and reduce cases of fraud, which can affect both banks and businesses.
Meanwhile, mobile payment terminals, real-time payment processing updates, and other services that depend on connected devices can help finance service providers enhance customers’ experiences.
Finally, connected devices can bolster cybersecurity. Finance company staff can monitor the devices connected to their platform and assess transactions and activities as they happen. With the help of cybersecurity software, staff can spot unusual activity or security breaches immediately and act to limit the damage of these cyberattacks.Â
Possible Career Options in IoT Development
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for software development professionals will increase by 25 percent by 2032. The Bureau says that the increased use of IoT devices is one of the main drivers of this demand.
Companies need experts to develop IoT software and hardware and manage the networks the devices use to transmit information. Interface designers and AI experts are also essential in IoT development and use.
The following five positions are critical for businesses as they deploy and manage IoT systems.
Network Architecture
A network architecture focuses on the system used to transmit data from IoT devices to databases or management platforms. Network architects plan, design, and implement these systems. They ensure performance, connectivity, and security. Other factors, such as network scalability and compatibility with multiple device types, are also crucial for these experts.
Without this infrastructure, IoT devices cannot send or receive information, rendering them essentially useless to businesses. Network architects may help with connection troubleshooting and devise improvements when connectivity issues or poor performance hamper operations.
Systems Integration
Systems integration is crucial for ensuring IoT devices provide the information and controls necessary to benefit a business. However, it is challenging to get diverse devices, software, and data sources to work on a unified platform. Systems analysts help companies ensure interoperability of all the hardware and software in their IoT network by choosing products, configuring them, and running analyses and tests.
Data Analytics
Data analysts assess information from IoT devices and discover insights to support decision-making, make forecasts, or measure performance. These specialists use software and algorithms to find patterns and trends in the information they collect from IoT sources.
This specialty is experiencing significant growth in demand as companies turn to data experts to get insights from the vast amounts of IoT data they collect. Analysts and data scientists usually need to visualize their findings or create reports to give to decision-makers so that they can use the information.
UI/UX Design
UI/UX design is a key component of IoT development. Users need dashboards to manage their devices and interact with databases and applications on the IoT platform.
UI/UX designers ensure users are able to understand and interact with these control systems. Interactive features are necessary for non-technical staff to use the information and control devices on the network.
Designers not only need to create intuitive, user-friendly dashboards, but they need to test them to guarantee that they work with all the components of the IoT system.
Application Development
Software and app developers create and test applications that connect with and control IoT devices. Programs need to interface with IoT devices and provide the necessary controls, analyses, or data collection functions. Some developers specialize in AI or automation products. In addition to regular development steps, application creators need to ensure all components of the network and system integrate with their software.
After delivering the initial application, developers remain vital to IoT operations. They need to continuously improve the software by addressing bugs, testing their products, and providing updates for functionality and security.
How To Prepare for a Career in IoT Development
A career in IoT development requires a combination of technical knowledge from classroom training and real-world experience. You can start by completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in computer science or a related field. After you enroll in such a program, consider finding an internship to gain hands-on experience. Networking with specialists in IoT and staying abreast of new developments, which happen quickly in this new field, can help you prepare for your job search after graduation.
More and more businesses are looking to IoT systems to streamline and automate operations and improve data-driven decision-making. As businesses adopt this technology, professionals with the right skills and education can find jobs working on IoT systems.