What is The Internet of Things (IoT)

What it is and why it matters

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a vast number of “things” that are connected to the internet so they can share data with other things – IoT applications, connected devices, industrial machines and more. Internet-connected devices use built-in sensors to collect data and, in some cases, act on it. IoT connected devices and machines can improve how we work and live. Real-world Internet of Things examples range from a smart home that automatically adjusts heating and lighting to a smart factory that monitors industrial machines to look for problems, then automatically adjusts to avoid failures.

History of the Internet of Things

The term “Internet of Things” was coined by entrepreneur Kevin Ashton, one of the founders of the Auto-ID Center at MIT. Ashton was part of a team that discovered how to link objects to the internet through an RFID tag. He first used the phrase “Internet of Things” in a 1999 presentation – and it has stuck around ever since.

Ashton may have been first to use the term Internet of Things, but the concept of connected devices – particularly connected machines – has been around for a long time. For example, machines have been communicating with each other since the first electric telegraphs were developed in the late 1830s. Other technologies that fed into IoT were radio voice transmissions, wireless (Wi-Fi) technologies and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software. Then in 1982, a modified Coke machine at Carnegie Mellon University became the first connected smart appliance. Using the university’s local ethernet or ARPANET – a precursor to today’s internet – students could find out which drinks were stocked, and whether they were cold.

Today, we’re living in a world where there are more IoT-connected devices than humans. These IoT-connected devices and machines range from wearables like smartwatches to RFID inventory tracking chips. IoT-connected devices communicate via networks or cloud-based platforms connected to the Internet of Things. The real-time insights gleaned from this IoT-collected data fuel digital transformation. In the age of Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things promises many positive changes for health and safety, business operations, industrial performance, and global environmental and humanitarian issues.

Reducing Downtime So Truckers Can Keep on Trucking

By collecting streaming IoT data in real time from thousands of sensors on each vehicle, Volvo Trucks can monitor fault codes to know when anything is amiss with a major system, like the engine or transmission.

The Internet of Things in Today’s World

The Internet of Things has had significant effects on our world. Learn how IoT is affecting our lives today, as the volume and variety of big data streaming from IoT expands and analytics technologies evolve.

Non-geek’s A-to-Z guide to the IoT

Ready to read up on 101 common terms related to the Internet of Things? This guide is a primer on definitions relevant to the vast IoT and big data ecosystem, sans technical “geek speak.” It covers topics like connectivity, "things," industry applications, data, computing and analytics.

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iGA Istanbul Airport uses beacon technology with its iGA Fast Track services – particularly at entrance gates. In turn, they can seamlessly communicate with passengers’ mobile devices during the entry process. IoT-based real-time notifications of available services help enhance and personalize the airport experience.

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Who's Using IoT?

Many industries use IoT to understand consumer needs in real time, become more responsive, improve machine and system quality on the fly, streamline operations and discover innovative ways to operate as part of their digital transformation efforts.

Retail

IoT unites data, analytics and marketing processes across locations. Retailers capture IoT data from in-store and digital channels and apply analytics (including artificial intelligence, or AI) for real-time, contextual listening and to understand behavior patterns and preferences. They often use IoT connected devices like RFID inventory tracking chips, cellular and Wi-Fi systems, beacons and smart shelves in their Internet of Things strategy.

Manufacturing

IoT connects all phases of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) process – from supply chain to delivery – for a cohesive view of production, process and product data. Advanced IoT sensors in factory machines or warehouse shelves, along with big data analytics and predictive modeling, can prevent defects and downtime, maximize equipment performance, cut warranty costs, boost production yield and enhance the customer experience.

Transportation and Logistics

IoT with geofence-enabled location intelligence and AI, deployed across the value chain, can deliver greater efficiency and reliability for transportation and logistics companies. This technology can improve service quality, reduce downtime and boost customer satisfaction. It can also enhance safety and reduce costs by managing, tracking and monitoring connected vehicles, freight and other mobile assets in real time.

Health Care

IoT technology captures data streaming in real time from the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) – such as wearables and other medical connected devices that monitor exercise, sleep and other health habits. This IoT data enables precise diagnoses and treatment plans, improves patient safety and outcomes, and streamlines care delivery.

Government

IoT applications are used to address many real-world issues – traffic congestion, city services, economic development, citizen engagement, and public safety and security. Smart cities often embed IoT sensors into the physical infrastructure, such as streetlights, water meters and traffic signals.

Energy

The Internet of Things helps providers deliver reliable, fair-priced services and products. IoT connected devices and machines predict problems before they occur. Distributed grid resources like solar and wind are integrated through IoT. And behavior data – such as that collected from smart homes – improves convenience and security, and informs development of customized services.

We’re All Connected: IoT, Analytics and AI

Advanced analytics, including artificial intelligence (AI), is the way to harness value from the Internet of Things. Data management, cloud and high-performance computing techniques help manage and analyze the influx of IoT data from Internet of Things sensors. Insights from streaming analytics and AI underpin digital transformation efforts that result in better efficiency, convenience and security. See how connected devices, analytics and AI in the Internet of Things can make our world a better place to live.

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How the Internet of Things Works

Being connected through the Internet of Things – to send, receive and often act on data – results in many smart IoT things that we can use to build a more secure, convenient, productive and intelligent world.

Already, Internet of Things capabilities play a significant role in businesses’ digital transformation practices. When we combine IoT data with advanced analytics and AI – leading to the “Artificial Intelligence of Things” – the possibilities seem endless. Learn the basic terms that define the Internet of Things and see how IoT works in the real world.

IoT Market Maturity

Since 2012, major changes in sensors have led to rapid maturing in the Internet of Things market – fueling digital transformation for many businesses:

Sensors shrank. Technological improvements created microscopic scale sensors, leading to technologies like microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). This made sensors small enough to be embedded into unique places like clothing.
Communications improved. Wireless internet connectivity and communication technologies have improved, so nearly every type of electronic equipment can provide wireless data connectivity. This allows IoT sensors, embedded in Internet of Things connected devices and machines, to quickly send and receive IoT data over a network.

How IoT Works With Key Technologies

Data management and streaming analytics. The Internet of Things puts high demands on data management for big data streaming from sensors. Event stream processing technology – often called streaming analytics – performs real-time data management and analytics on IoT data to make it more valuable. Key capabilities include filtering, normalization, standardization, transformation, aggregation, correlation and temporal analysis.

Big data analytics. IoT is a major contributor to big data – the massive volume, velocity and variety of structured and unstructured data businesses collect every day. Getting value from big data in IoT requires big data analytics. Related techniques include predictive analytics, text mining, cloud computing, data lakes, data mining and Hadoop. Most organizations use a combination of these techniques to get the most value possible from IoT.

Artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence can multiply the value of IoT by using all the data from smart connected devices to promote learning and collective intelligence. Some of the core techniques that AI uses are machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing and computer vision.

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Next Steps

Dig deeper as you get started with the Internet of Things – from setting strategy to measuring IoT success.

SAS IoT analytics solutions

SAS^® Analytics for IoT

From the time you first access Internet of Things data to when you deploy models and trigger alerts, SAS Analytics for IoT helps you get more value from your enterprise IoT investments. Learn more about SAS Analytics for IoT or request a demo now.

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Based on interviews with 75 executives across Europe

While many studies still explore theoretical potentials of the internet of things (IoT), early adopters have already acquired valuable experience. This survey gives you access to the lessons learnt by 75 executives from various industries all across Europe. They give unparalleled insights in how to integrate IoT in operations and share experiences of recent projects.

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What is The Internet of Things (IoT)

What it is and why it matters

History of the Internet of Things

Reducing Downtime So Truckers Can Keep on Trucking