Internet of Things

How IoT Can Help the Service Industry

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Today’s consumers expect speed, consistency, automation, accurate tracking and real-time notifications. It can be a challenge for service industry businesses to find or develop the tools they need to deliver on these expectations. Many business owners are incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) tools and platforms in an effort to give customers what they want.

The Benefits of IoT for the Service Industry

The Internet of Things offers several options for improving service. These include advanced process automation, asset tracking, predictive maintenance and more. There’s one capability, however, that provides the greatest benefit to the service industry. This is known as service tracking.

What is Service Tracking?

Service tracking provides real-time visibility and updates on a task’s progression. This is useful in a wide variety of industries, from restaurants to salons to repairs and more. According to IoT For All, service tracking generally follows these steps to track a task:

  1. Sensors embedded in equipment or in cameras observe the task, looking for specific indicators that the task has progressed.
  2. The data gathered by the sensors is transmitted via the internet.
  3. Observational data is fed into a centralized platform on the cloud and is transformed into insight about the task’s progression.
  4. Front-end software applications share data with stakeholders. For example, you might get a notification that your food has been delivered or your oil change is complete.

How Service Tracking Makes the Service Industry More Efficient

Using IoT to automate service processes creates efficiencies that benefit both the customer and your business. These include:

  1. Lower wait times
  2. A better customer experience
  3. Increased operational efficiency and profitability

How could the Internet of Things make your business more profitable? The Vaultas IT Ecosystem makes IoT integration easy. Contact us today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

IoT, 5G Drive Growth of Edge Computing

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Edge computing has come a long way. Initially conceived as a way to address bandwidth issues for data traveling long distances, edge computing systems now focus largely on powering and processing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications. The continued explosion of IoT has contributed to the growth of edge computing, and has made it an essential aspect of IT topology.

Edge Computing 101

In a recent article, NetworkWorld discussed the origins of edge computing, stating that it essentially processes data closer to the place at which that data is either produced or consumed. That place is known as the “edge.” There are many benefits of processing data closer to its source, including faster processing, less lag time and lower costs for businesses and users.

IoT Has Sped the Growth of Edge Computing

The Internet of Things was one of the primary reasons for the move to the edge. IoT devices are continually delivering or receiving data to and from the cloud, and they typically generate huge amounts of data. And the category of IoT devices includes more than just your fitness tracker or smart thermostat. IoT devices are used in critical roles in industries such as power utilities, healthcare and manufacturing.

So as IoT has grown faster than anyone anticipated, edge computing has become an increasingly valuable tool. It will likely continue to expand as server and storage demands increase in the coming years.

How Will 5G Impact Edge Computing?

5G wireless technologies are being rolled out around the world, promising high bandwidth and low latency for applications. Shouldn’t this hinder the growth of edge computing? Exactly the opposite: many carriers are incorporating edge computing into their 5G offerings to offer even faster speeds. Therefore, as 5G is deployed, edge computing will continue its unprecedented growth, probably for years to come.

Ready to Move to the Edge?

Vaultas is a premier provider of edge colocation for cloud service providers. Our carrier neutral business model enables easy access and low latency, high capacity bandwidth. Further, our low power rates and proximity to major markets creates a low operating cost for maximum margins. Contact us to learn more.

Vaultas is a premier provider of IT solutions, providing data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting and more. Our data centers are located in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI. Contact us to get started.

Industrial IoT: Applications, Benefits and Challenges

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On our hybrid IT blog, we’ve written about the Internet of Things, or IoT. As a refresher, IoT refers to the smart devices that are becoming increasingly popular and prevalent in Minnesota and across the country. These devices include smart thermostats and security cameras, fitness trackers, speakers, even light bulbs. The IoT is growing, and so is the application of IoT in the energy, transportation and related sectors: the Industrial IoT.

The Industrial IoT, or IIoT, refers to devices, sensors, instrumentation and applications that connect machines and tools in industrial businesses. Common users of IIoT include power utilities, oil and gas companies, transportation and healthcare, among others.

The potential benefits of IIoT are many, but, as discussed by NetworkWorld, challenges and risks are inherent in IIoT adoption and use.

The Benefits of Industrial IoT

The effective use of IIoT systems can lead to significant gains in efficiency, productivity and accuracy. To-the-minute asset tracking, production line instrumentation, predictive maintenance and immediate breach alerts can save companies time and money. IIoT helps businesses act proactively, protecting them against costly downtime from a broken part or misstep in the production network.

The Challenges of Industrial IoT

If your FitBit suddenly stops tracking steps or your Echo stops responding, it could make your life more difficult. If a sensor in a large IIoT network malfunctions, it could disrupt power, production or care for hundreds or thousands of people. Put simply, the stakes are much higher when IIoT is adopted in industries that are essential to daily life. And, because IIoT networks are often large and intricate, one failure can have a ripple effect, and can be difficult to diagnose and fix.

Additional IIoT challenges include security (also a consideration for IoT), lack of standardization, cost, expertise and training, and integration with legacy technology. However, because the time and money savings can be so significant, IIoT adoption will likely continue at a fast pace in the months and years to come.

If you’d like to learn more about how IIoT can support your business, give Vaultas a call today. We offer custom IT services to meet your company’s unique needs.

Vaultas is a premier provider of IT solutions, providing data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage and more. Contact us to get started.

The Internet of Things Ecosystem Continues to Grow

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Even if you’ve never heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT, it likely plays a big part in your everyday life. Do you wear a Fitbit? Do you use Alexa to manage your shopping and to-do lists? Is your home monitored from afar with a smart camera? If so, the Internet of Things ecosystem is probably fairly ingrained in your life.

Even if you’re fairly familiar with IoT, the different terms and labels can be confusing. We’ll break that down below, based on a helpful article from Business Insider. We’ll also look a little more closely at the IoT ecosystem and how that is projected to grow in the coming years.

What is the Internet of Things?

Simply, it is the connection of devices to the Internet. The IoT devices that we use everyday are defined as standalone, Internet-connected devices that can be monitored or controlled remotely. Common examples of IoT devices include fitness trackers, digital assistants, smart thermostats and medical devices. The number of available IoT devices has skyrocketed in recent years, and will probably continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

The IoT Ecosystem

The Internet of Things ecosystem is the sort of central hub of IoT – the components that allow businesses and consumers to connect to their IoT devices. This includes networks, gateways, data storage, security, dashboards and more.

IoT Layers

There are three layers that allow devices to connect through the ecosystem:

  • Physical layer: IoT device hardware
  • Network layer: Transmits data collected by physical layer to different devices
  • Application layer: Interfaces and protocols by which devices identify and communicate

The Future of the IoT Ecosystem

Business Insider predicts that 24 billion IoT devices will be connected to the internet by 2020, with businesses as the top adopter of IoT solutions. Governments will be the second-largest adopters. Consumers will adopt less quickly, but they will still invest a large amount of money into the IoT ecosystem. In sum, an estimated $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions between 2015 and 2020.

Ready to incorporate the Internet of Things ecosystem into your business?

Vaultas is here to help. Give Vaultas a call at 888-998-2858, or contact us online. With IT services to meet the most demanding needs, we’ll work with you to find the best custom IT solutions for your business.

 

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