A significant part of the promise and potential surrounding the IoT has been focused on its impact in the home environment. With the latest the smart home innovations, the way we operate appliances and make purchases has changed completely.
But how IoT can be used at the other end of the spectrum, in the business environment? How does IoT technologies can impact, and more importantly improve, the way businesses operate and improve their efficiency? From a company-wide level to the productivity of the individuals, the Internet of Things could have a transformative effect on entire industries.
So, why and in what ways should businesses look to integrate the IoT in the year and decade to come?
Connecting your team
By using IoT connectivity tools you can bring your team closer together than ever before and make sure all your employees are working on the same page. The way companies operate is changing, and businesses owe it to themselves and their staff to improve the availability and conditions of remote working.
Connectivity and IoT technologies means everyone is working with immediate access to each other’s work and insights but also to data sets from connected assets. Using the appropriate IoT tools, remote workers will be able to complete tasks faster than before and with better efficiency.
The efficiency of connectivity through the IoT isn’t limited to office workers, it can have an impact across a number of industries. Delivery companies, for example, can help keep their fleet drivers connected to their office staff through the use of smart dashboards.
Rather than investing in driverless vehicles, the future lies in automating the process for the driver and giving the entire company as clear a picture as possible into the condition of your vehicle.
This works in tandem with fuel cards such as the range produced by iCompario, which have been able to streamline the expenses process for finance teams, by giving the driver full knowledge of and malfunctions and the level of fuel they need before they even pull in to refuel.
Through integrating the use of the IoT, you will see a more connected team from top to bottom all working in tandem to specific goals.
Streamlining the work-day
The IoT arrived with the promise of automation, and so far its abilities to streamline processes have been well-founded. 2020 is the year this needs to firmly establish itself in the world of work. In offices across the planet, the IoT has the potential to streamline and simplify work to an incredible degree.
Using smart devices to automate repetitive tasks, which would typically be a huge drain of employee time, can help move them onto more taxing and pertinent tasks. Not only does this make what your staff are doing more efficient, but it also improves their ability and familiarity with harder tasks making their completion faster in the future.
It won’t just be a case of passing on all the menial tasks to machines though. The IoT can be used to make tasks that aren’t quite suited for automation more manageable. The prevalence of smart assistants will also allow staff to manage their workloads more efficiently, keeping them on task and schedule.
Lowering energy costs
Spending too much on keeping the office well lit? Maybe there are too many debates about what the temperature should be, de-railing productivity. Business efficiency isn’t just about how quickly a task gets done, it’s about creating the perfect working environment to achieve your aims. The IoT has revolutionized these elements for businesses in a way that makes them more universally accessible and reduces costs.
Many elements of the office or warehouse, from lighting to temperature, can be sensed and controlled through smart IoT technology. For example, by integrating a smart bulb such as a Phillips Hue into your office you aren’t just reducing the amount spent on bulbs, you’re giving your employees the opportunity to adjust the lighting to their needs through their smartphones.
Smart thermostat control also allows for an immediate adjustment of temperature that can be tailored across the room to suit different microclimates. Without the right working conditions, we are less efficient, and solving that goes beyond having a nice desk.
Respond to new customer demands faster
How customers purchase products has seen a complete overhaul through the introduction of the IoT. Their immediate needs are responded to faster than ever and the buying process has been simplified to voice control. This technology can improve efficiency by allowing businesses to predict customer habits or even help control them.
New technology such as smart fridges has created the need for instant gratification amongst consumers, which it is vital companies meet. Smart technology doesn’t just fulfill orders, it collects data from them. This allows your staff to more efficiently create accurate personas and buying habits, streamlining this process and allowing you to predict the next purchase or a sequence of them.
This also makes your business more efficient in how it allows you to control your customer’s habits. The IoT allows predictions to become almost instructions, as smart devices remind consumers about regular purchases and recommend new ones. This collection of data allows companies to keep hold of target customers, grow brand loyalty and personalize engagement for a healthier relationship — an essential step for staying efficient and keeping up with competitors.
The introduction of the IoT into the workplace could lead to a golden age of productivity. Tasks could become streamlined and automated, and the way we reach and serve customers could be made as simplified for your staff as possible. Consider how these elements could improve your business in the coming year.
