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Connected automation could help IoT reach full potential

Many companies are embracing the Internet of Things (IoT) to transform their respective industries. Given the ability of smart devices to monitor factories, collect and share data, control building security systems and more, it’s not surprising that businesses from all verticals are leaning on this tech, which is projected to have a global market value of $2.5 trillion by 2029, according to Fortune Business Insights.

Despite IoT’s industry-changing potential, it’s not as effective as it could be, however, TrustPortal CEO Chris Lamberton recently wrote for Information Age.

“Organizations are putting huge effort into combining their device data from IoT — with people, processes, and enterprise data,” Lamberton said. “But there’s a big problem: IoT investments and efforts aren’t yet delivering the expected benefits. The promise of IoT isn’t happening, and over 70 percent of projects are failing.”

Connected automation, a no-code, highly secure, software-as-a-service layer, is the solution to help IoT deliver those expected benefits, according to Lamberton.

“For the first-time, investments in IoT can deliver their true potential, but without huge investments in changing existing systems,” he said.

What’s holding IoT back

IoT has been great for collecting data for enterprises, but a lot of the insights gathered in real time are not easily integrated with existing systems, according to Lamberton. It’s also not easy to include the human experience and artificial intelligence (AI) insights into IoT initiated processes, at least not at the necessary speeds.

Meanwhile, IoT sensors provide data that can help prevent issues, but that data isn’t always easily understood and the “next steps” based on this information aren’t readily available. So, while building owners are getting data in real time, they’re unable to make immediate decisions.

“Getting lots of sensor data that may indicate a production-line machine is about to fail isn’t good enough,” Lamberton said. “How about a simple data summary, revealing if there’s spare parts and technicians immediately available, and what the available options are to prevent production stoppages causing huge losses?”

How connected automation can boost IoT’s benefits

Connected automation delivers CRE owners a low-cost, smarter capability that addresses the challenges relying solely on IoT devices can present. This additional layer brings multivendor software robots, API mini-robots, AI and staff together to work in real time as “an augmented digital workforce.” It also allows IoT devices to communicate with one another immediately and work securely with physical and digital systems of different ages, sizes and complexities at scale.

It’s also easier to bring the human experience into IoT-initiated end-to-end processes, according to Lamberton. When human decision making is needed, handoffs arrive through a robot-created, intuitive digital user interface in real time.

Meanwhile, when augmented insights are required right away in an IoT-initiated process, AI or other smart tools are put to work to increase predictive analysis and problem-solving capabilities in real time. Whether a person or AI makes a data-based decision, action can be taken immediately and without having to make any big changes to the company’s current system or processes.

Businesses also do not have to worry about coding or integration processes when using connected automation to get IoT to work across their legacy and digital systems. It can be natively integrated to any IoT service, including device software and analytics systems. Lamberton noted that by augmenting and extending the scope of current tech investments, return on investment can be achieved in 10 months — at 10 percent the cost of traditional digitization and automation approaches.

“Clearly, the potential for connected automation to better enable smarter IoT services throughout the private and public sector is enormous,” Lamberton said. “However, an inevitable torrent of hype will grow around the technology. Navigate this minefield by asking vendors to conduct a proof of value that delivers a ROI in weeks – not years. Genuine connected automation tech providers will happily action this and demonstrate proven, real-world use cases that highlight big benefits for less, and at scale.”

 

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