TECHNOLOGY
THE INTERNET OF Things ( IoT ) has come a long way from LG ’ s first ‘ Internet Refrigerator ’, which was unveiled in 2000 . As is the case with many technological advancements , while IoT has perhaps failed to reach its potential with consumers , business has grasped the nettle ( consider industry finding alternative uses for ‘ smart glasses ’ that were met with a lukewarm response on their much-hyped public release ).
So , while connected fridges have not hit the mainstream – yet , at least : the rise of devices such as Alexa could change all that – more practical uses for IoT have been derived from businesses looking to leverage the capabilities and potential of digitalisation .
Speaking to Supply Chain Digital , industry expert , Sergio Barata , General Manager for Europe , Middle East and Africa at Telogis , tracks the journey of IoT in industry , saying : “ The increasing number of use cases for the IoT have been driven by advances in mobile connectivity , making internet-enabled sensors much smaller and more affordable . These sensors , often the size of a hockey puck , can transmit vital information to other devices in a way could only be dream of back when the concept of the IoT was born .
“ The ability to analyse and make sense of the vast amount of data collected has also helped propel the adoption of IoT tech . While we are only on the cusp of the IoT revolution , forward thinking organisations are already starting to think about how it can streamline key processes and optimise the supply chain .”
Barata says there are five key ways the IoT is already helping to streamline the supply chain : firstly , increased visibility , where he cites the example of the technology enabling supply chain managers to connect their vehicles , equipment and devices and gain to-the-minute status updates on jobs .
This can offer a full picture across the supply chain , from the warehouse to different stakeholders and customers . For example , rather than seeing a job status listed as ‘ with courier ’ or ‘ in transit ’, managers can see the exact location , enabling more informed decisions to be made .
“ IoT plays a very strong role in offering that additional visibility , right down to the customer level . In the past , it was almost peer-to-peer or business-to-business visibility that was necessary . I think it ’ s now
24 November 2017