How an IoT Consultant Can Reduce Cost and Optimize Processes

Even though the development of modern technologies is a process that began long ago, there are plenty of things that might seem confusing to many people. One of those things is the Internet of Things technologies. In this article, you will learn everything you need to understand this technology and how a consultant like this can be beneficial to your business.

What Is IoT?

The Internet of Things or IoT is a term that became quite popular over the last decade. However, despite its popularity, there are still people who don’t completely understand this phenomenon. So what is it, IoT? There are many ways to explain IoT technology. These are the devices themselves that go online and interact with each other. This is also a way of connecting – M2M – machine-to-machine, without human intervention. It is also the big data that devices are now generating. Data that can (and should) be collected, analyzed, and further used to improve comfort or make business decisions.

IoT can be used in any industry where something can be automated. Currently, there are over 10 billion connected IoT devices out there and the number only keeps growing. The biggest development of this technology can be seen in the agricultural sector, logistics, and Smart City. IoT makes it possible to save on equipment maintenance: sensors collect information about the condition of the equipment, making the maintenance and repair processes timely and easy. 

What Is IoT Consulting and How You Can Apply It to Your Business?

The Internet of Things is a rather new field, which makes it necessary for companies to come up with their own way of how to use IoT platforms which all require a personalized approach. A professional IoT consultant is an exact specialist who is able to advise on the best way to do that. Various devices and sensors that belong to the Internet of Things group of products can help you produce insights and actionable items. 

However, modern-day businesses and organizations lack an understanding of how the new technologies can positively impact their game and often require help when kick-starting such initiatives. By launching IoT initiatives, the company can gain the potential to reduce operational costs, optimize internal workflows and build unique reports to backup strategic moves with data. It is the launching stage where the IoT consultants can become a true gem to your business.

However, to achieve success in IoT, it is not enough to connect some devices to the Internet. The company must align its digital transformation plan with its overall development strategy, apply optimal new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain, collaborate with the right partners and digital ecosystems and implement new processes and working methods.

The Rising Popularity of IoT Consulting Companies

IoT solutions are growing in demand each day, and the rates for such specialists’ services are increasing accordingly. The data provided by the IoT empowers businesses to develop new value propositions for consumers, improve efficiency, and gain unique insights into how to create value for customers. The IoT consultants help organizations discover new revenue streams, improve efficiency, and seize new opportunities.

However, not every company out there can afford to hire an IoT developer or even a remote IoT team. But, this is not a reason to avoid the chance to give a boost to your company’s development, isn’t it? What could you do in a situation like that, though? The answer is: hire IoT consultant. Luckily, the cost for an IoT consultant is generally lower than developers and engineers of the same field.

The Typical List of IoT Consulting Services

IoT consultants perform a wide variety of tasks for modern companies. One of the most popular services include the following:

• Looking out for potential use cases. These consultants will closely observe your business and its typical activities to identify potential cases of IoT use. At the same time, an IoT consultant will be able to advise you on the best ways on how to incorporate this technology into your daily workflow. 
• Development of the IoT strategy. For this technology to actually bring value to your business, it has to be properly implemented. Not being an expert in IoT you might cause unintentional damage, so it is always best to leave such tasks to the professional. 
• Research and development, prototyping. IoT is not an old technology and some research still needs to be done, if you want to see positive results of this kind of implementation. With proper prototype building and thorough research, an IoT consultant will be able to predict possible challenges and smooth them down. 
• Choosing a proper hardware and software vendor. Years of experience your IoT consultant has will allow them to advise you on the best soft- and hardware on the market. 

Hiring an IoT Consultant

Things to consider when hiring the IoT consultant:

• Previous background. The ideal candidate is someone who has a degree in either Computer Science or Civil/Industrial Engineering.
• Interest in technology. Your ideal consultant should be enthusiastic about all things IoT and staying up to speed with its latest trends.
• An eye for IoT. Look for an early adopter and for someone who is constantly keeping an eye out for the next big thing.

Final Thoughts

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of devices with embedded software and sensors connected to the Internet that collect, transmit and exchange data. The IoT connected devices, sensors, and people provide a new means of communication between human and machine, software, and hardware. The IoT is creating a new world that is open to everyone, offering constant connectivity for humans, from home or work to entertainment. To implement IoT solutions, it is important to ensure the appropriate level of security, confidentiality, reliability and resiliency of systems.

Acting as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds, the Internet of Things offers tremendous business opportunities. IoT consultants help clients realize the benefits of emerging IoT technologies by building complex business models that connect technologies, suppliers, and consumers. Whether you just start your IoT venture or are already making your way through it, the IoT consultants will help you get the best of new technological possibilities and set them in harmony with your business strategy.