The Internet of Things (IoT) has been undeniably changing the tech world, giving you the ability to control everything around you right at the tip of your fingers.
As a refresher, IoT is not a variant of the Internet. It’s a network of devices that are connected to the Internet that is used every day to search Google, upload images, and connect with friends.
In a short span of time, billions of sensors gave businesses a whole new way to operate and improve people’s interaction with one another. And that’s only the beginning of the many technological advancements in store for business, as the digital era continues to shape the industry.
2017 is coming to an end in a few months, but the never-ending growth and development of the IoT don’t stop there. Here are a few IoT trends that you should watch out for this coming 2018:
A promise of more IoT-ready devices than ever
For IoT to be fully recognized anytime and everywhere, all devices must be capable of connecting to each other, regardless of what company manufactured the product or which companies are doing business together.
Since consumers are now investing more in gadgets that keep them online 24/7, there’s no denying that the expansion of IoT will grow more in the coming years.
This 2018, expect new products to be specialized, personalized, and intelligent—adapting to human’s unique characteristics.
Healthcare technology is expanding
Data is the blood that makes it possible for new waves of creativity to be used by brands and accommodate functions that are almost impossible today.
This year, healthcare tech is continuously shifting, as more and more patients and healthcare providers turn to big data-driven solutions. The future IoT stands to mold the way people access and pay for their health care services, making it easier and more efficient as ever.
As hospitals and clinics face some patients who’ll be needing extensive care and proper medical attention, they can turn to networked gadgets that make things easier through technology. This helps remind patients when to take their prescriptions, the best time to exercise, and even alerts patients when their blood pressure levels are too high.
The retail industry is continuously revolutionizing
IoT allows businesses to market their products to their prospective customers better. As much as business owners are likely to have profited greatly from the production of sensors and data-driven devices through IoT, consumers’ preferences are greatly influenced by this trend at the same time.
IoT plays a very important role in security across all operations like supply chains and location-based marketing. IoT technologies such as automated inventory verification and sensors on shelves are some of the advances that businesses should invest in to improve customer experiences.
Security challenges on IoT
While the benefits are unlimited, not all the upcoming trends in IoT are positive. The truth is, security may or may not keep up with the innovations and changes.
The rise of new network security challenges will push IT experts to their limits this 2018, as hackers and other identity thieves seek to control the IoT for their selfish purposes.
As IoT continues to grow in the coming years, vulnerabilities in global internet infrastructure systems wouldn’t be completely safe from threats. As more devices become connected to one another, safety and security should be a business priority.
Being aggressive in resolving security issues should be on top of business goals before malware issues jump from one networked device to another and completely deteriorate the business.
Consumers and businesses are embracing the impact of the Internet of Things on all aspects, especially on commerce and lifestyle. And with some of the IoT advances that are most likely to dominate the business today, IoT products such as M2M sim cards are considered to be the game changers of today’s IT business landscape.
There’s no perfect science to accurately predicting the future. The maximum capabilities of the Internet of Things aren’t yet to be proven now, but this can be used to an advantage in business as IoT continues to broaden its horizons this 2018.