The Internet of Things
The Internet is a fascinating innovation that has allowed people to connect all around the globe. You can video chat with someone in a different country or play video games with friends from 1500 miles away, all because of the Internet. But there’s another kind of Internet that helps us, although it’s one we don’t really see. It’s known as the Internet of Things (IoT), and it allows smart devices to communicate with each other. From simple sensors and smartphones to smart thermostats and smart home hubs like the Amazon Alexa, everything is connected. The IoT is growing larger and advancing every day, and it truly has the power to change the world.
Data Collection
The Internet of Things has helped us become a more efficient population. By collecting data, the IoT allows us to save time, money, and energy, and speed up processes and eliminate inefficiencies. This technology allows companies, governments, and public authorities to rethink how they deliver services and produce goods. Even cities that are connected to the IoT runs more efficiently as a whole.
The IoT is also transforming the way the world does business. It’s expanding and improving by connecting billions of devices capable of immediately sharing, receiving, and analyzing vast amounts of data to help businesses improve decision-making. These businesses can then distribute this information out to employees to improve performance and efficiency.
The metrics that IoT gathers can be analyzed instantly and then put to action, making improvements that are as simple as shutting off power to connected devices when not in use. The exciting part of having this data shared and communicated will result in more efficient processes. As more devices are produced, more data can be collected, and the technology can become more intuitive, saving consumers and businesses money and energy without being told to do so.
How Does This Impact Contractors?
As far as electrical contractors, the IoT will lead to more jobs, more products, and more necessary knowledge to aid in installation. Every year, products and services move up a notch on the scale of technical know-how and installation complexity, calling for the knowledge and expertise of highly qualified contractors. Those contractors who dedicate the time to learn about IoT-connected devices can increase the number of jobs they receive, especially as smart devices become more common in homes and businesses.
The Path Forward
Currently, 99% of electrical devices are not connected to the internet, but as businesses and consumers move toward interconnected devices to eliminate wasted energy, that percentage should begin to shift heavily toward smart technology.
Building positive customer experiences is another benefit of smart technology as it becomes more common. From device notifications regarding repairment to automatically learning your preferences, the Internet of Things will help to personalize devices to a customer’s specific schedule and needs.
Although the IoT collects a lot of data, the ability to measure, transmit, and communicate this data into useful information will help consumers make informed decisions about how much energy they use. Businesses are continuing to invest in and implement this technology, and by 2020, it’s estimated that 50 billion connected devices will be in use.
City Electric Supply offers multiple devices that connect to the IoT, including products from Nest, Lutron, Phillips, and GE. Learning more about how these products work and what they can do for your customers can help improve your company’s capabilities. To learn more about these connected products, visit your local CES branch today!
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