In previous blogs, we discussed the benefits of embracing the Internet of Things (IoT) for business. In fact, many companies are already using IoT technologies to save on resources, optimize operations, and cut costs. Some examples include the use of real-time data collection and alerts to let municipal workers know that a garbage bin is full, or running real-world A/B tests by using networked cameras and sensors to detect how customers are engaging with specific products. But how does one manage the abundance of data coming in from each “thing”?
Sure, from a business perspective, the answer is an easy: hire more employees and store any data collected in a data centre. But what about the consumers? Take a moment to count the number of emails, alerts, messages, and updates you receive on just one of your devices – your cell phone, for example. Now add in all the data that you could receive, like an alert from your smart home informing you that the furnace filter needs to be cleaned, or an email from your car to let you know that the oil needs to be changed, or even a reminder from your plants to water the garden.
The vast amount of incoming information can overwhelm consumers, and it’s likely that buyers will hit a ceiling of what they’re willing to babysit. Once the “cool factor” of a new IoT device subsides, the chore of responding to all the incoming messages can set in, leaving users frustrated and exhausted. In addition to responding to all the incoming information, users will then need to decide how they will manage and store the data. Typically, homes don’t come equipped with a built-in data centre. Therefor, consumers will need some type of system in place to help them respond, manage, and store the information provided by their IoT devices.
This is where we find the hole. There doesn’t seem to be a holistic solution in the market today that can help users efficiently manage their data and devices. Sure, there are companies soliciting the cloud for consumers, but they tend to be targeted to each specific operating system. For example, Apple has a cloud that connects all their devices – but you can’t sync your BlackBerry device to the Apple cloud – and vice versa. Consumers need help from businesses to manage their devices and all the data they’ll soon be getting.
Businesses that are looking to capitalize on the wave of IoT devices need to take this into consideration. Usability is essential in creating a successful product or service, because consumers won’t be willing to waste their valuable time on managing data. Since businesses looking to utilize IoT technology will need a place to store their data anyway, why not provide space to your customers as well? If your company hasn’t started exploring data centre options, and you’re looking to capitalize on IoT, you can begin exploring your colocation options by clicking here.
Blog Author: Vanessa Hartung
