A Brief Guide to IoT Devices

So-called “Internet of Things” (IoT) solutions are constantly growing in importance in today’s world. Indeed, Intel has estimated that IoT devices have increased from 2 billion products to 200 billion in the past 15 years. They are prevalent in both domestic and commercial markets, but it is in the latter that these platforms are truly flourishing. So, with all of that in mind, here’s our brief guide to all things IoT!

What is an IoT Solution?

Sharing many of the same characteristics as smart devices, IoT solutions can be defined by meeting just two criteria. It must be able to connect to the internet in some way, and it has to be able to communicate with other devices that share this technology. Typically, it achieves the latter using devices such as sensors, trackers, computer chips or a form of software. Any product that has these abilities can be classed as an IoT platform.

Examples of IoT Devices

However, IoT solutions are actually far more prominent in industrial and commercial settings like factories, businesses and healthcare facilities. Many of these come in the form of Building Automation Systems. Meanwhile, other prominent sectors for IoT devices are Retail, for smartphone payments and inventory tracking, and Security, for solutions such as Video Management Technology.

What are the pros and cons?

Advantages of IoT platforms can include:

• Improved efficiency and communication - Machine to machine (M2M) interaction can help streamline tasks and improve operations
• Data collection benefits - The information stored by IoT devices can be used for a variety of things from automation or business analysis and forecasting to enhancing security and safety

But despite this, some IoT systems can have considerable drawbacks if they’re not implemented carefully. Indeed, compatibility issues between independently-made devices can lead to problems such as operational slowdown, data security threats, and a loss of privacy.

OpenBlue: Why you can trust Johnson Controls’ IoT Platform

OpenBlue offers a complete suite of connected IoT solutions that is helping to transform facilities into sustainable Smart Buildings all over the world. The fact that it is a connected platform helps to push the benefits of IoT devices whilst simultaneously offering enhanced security and asset safety. That’s why it’s been trusted in a variety of industries from commercial workplaces to hospitals and schools, and many more.

The connected experiences that OpenBlue provides led us to be named “Overall IoT Company of the Year” in 2020, highlighting the effectiveness of our Digital Solutions

In addition to this, George Oliver was recently named IoT Company CEO of the Year"" through the IoT Breakthrough Awards Program 2022.

If you’d like to read more, check out our range of OpenBlue Systems Here.