The Hottest IoT Trends of 2017 and What to Do About Them
How to take advantage of the five most important IoT trends.
March 23, 2017
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Licensed spectrum low-power wireless access (LPWA) technologies are coming into the market in earnest in 2017, following the standardization of several licensed spectrum LPWA technologies in 2016. Combined with the ongoing deployment of unlicensed LPWA networks, this should open up IoT opportunities to a host of new industries and enable applications in new domains due to the lower cost of LPWA deployment.
An increased service provider focus on technology diversification to meet varied client needs, and on developer outreach, although telcos face plenty of competition in executing the latter.
Data, network, and device security issues, while a perennial concern for enterprises, are becoming a much more salient issue for both organizations and consumers as more IoT devices are deployed, and the vulnerability of a broad, distributed, and heterogeneous network of connected devices becomes apparent.
The value of IoT data will start to be realized in 2017 in more ways than one. In the same way that security solutions for IoT need to be more distributed, we are also seeing a shift to enabling
processing and analytics at the IoT network edge, minimizing the need to transport large amounts of data back to the network core before triggering an action or alert.
Early adopters will explore how best to make use of their IoT data, and use big data and AI tools to support the development of new, transformational IoT business models.
Service providers need to ensure they can provide a range of connectivity options to support IoT, even if this is done through partnerships rather than own-build. Early testing of LPWA versus cellular IoT capabilities will be critical to understanding the most effective use cases.
Rather than going it alone in reaching out to developers, service providers are well advised to seek out partnerships with likely market leaders such as Amazon, technology players such as Intel, and leading industry vertical players such as Bosch, or even local or national government bodies to target areas such as smart cities and environment.
Vendors and service providers should help customers to understand security challenges early in the discussion – ahead of deciding on IoT deployments – and should be especially sensitive to organizations’ concerns about damage to reputation or customer relationships. Highlighting security capabilities needs to become a more prominent selling point, especially for those purporting to offer end-to-end IoT solutions.
Analyzing IoT data at the necessary speed requires tapping the power of streaming and distributed analytics. At the same time, vendors need to be conscious of the need to work with organizations’ existing data warehousing set-ups.
Deploying an IoT solution will, in some cases, enable (or require) disruption of core processes and financial requirements for the line of business managers, or indeed may turn the whole company’s business model on its head. The role of the IT division within buyer organizations is, therefore, changing to be more business-minded.
Deploying an IoT solution will, in some cases, enable (or require) disruption of core processes and financial requirements for the line of business managers, or indeed may turn the whole company’s business model on its head. The role of the IT division within buyer organizations is, therefore, changing to be more business-minded.
By IOT Content Manager
2017 is shaping up to be a big year for the Internet of Things. Ovum analyst Alexandra Rehak provides five key trends to watch in IoT.
Don’t miss Ovum’s IoT Futures 2017 event on May 15 in Santa Clara, CA—the day before Internet of Things World kicks off in the same location. The Ovum event will feature the latest market research and allow visitors to network with IoT analysts and professionals.
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