| | November 20169CIOReviewThe key benefit of IoT technologies is all about the power of connectiondata) can be archived and accessed in response to an alarm or incident notification. These solutions can bring forth advanced options to process and/or monitor incoming IoT data. It is now possible to consoli-date data streams from disparate classes of devices, utilize Big Data technologies to create actionable data and to then deliver that actionable data through existing Collaboration channels for a response. An integrated system can facilitate a platform which sup-ports real time response times. For example, these platforms can be used by a Water Utility on water distribution systems to de-tect leaks, on major electric distribution systems to detect faults (utilizing in-line sensors) or to monitor temperature-sensitive products which are currently being shipped to remote locations. The integration of Collaboration technologies facilitates the rapid response to alarms or incidents. For example, if a sen-sor on a cargo trailer carrying temperature-sensitive products generates an alert, the staff monitoring the system can quickly determine the status of the products, access a troubleshoot-ing template as well as remediation advice in the Tiger Room, quickly locate the truck, and contact the driver to bring the unit to a repair facility identified in the Tiger Room documentation. The integrated Collaboration system could also transmit instruc-tions and directions to the driver through in-dash navigation and communication systems that are integrated into the IoT environment.Obviously, these servic-es can be extended beyond the utility and transporta-tion industries. Forward-thinking Enterprises are now extending these ser-vices within the healthcare, public safety and customer care industries. From my perspective, It is time for Enterprises to imme-diately begin the evaluation of existing operational pro-cesses and to make specific determinations where IoT and Collaboration technolo-gies can enhance or stream-line those processes. The key benefit of IoT technologies is all about the power of connection. However, there is no single vendor who can provide an end to end solution that can enable and integrate IoT and Collaboration technologies. As such, these solutions often require an ecosystem approach involving car-riers and vendors that are focusing on the development of IoT solutions across Industry Verticals, embedding applications and analytics everywhere.The design and deployment of these solutions require an effort to bring together the range of expertise and abilities re-quired to integrate IoT and Collaboration technologies as well as to create a solution value chain. Carriers or System Integrators turn the output of the Ecosystem into industry-specific solutions with application and data analytics software. Carrier Network services connect IoT devices and cloud services, which drive the analytics and application software to create actionable data and to transport that data to parties who can act upon it.Once the evaluation is com-pleted, the Enterprise can be-gin the creation of the required specifications for an integrated IoT/Collaboration system. I strongly recommend that the Enterprise define its require-ments and strategic objectives before inquiries are made with carriers or vendors. I would look for a carrier or vendor who has specific experience within the Enterprise Industry Vertical and who can add value based on that experience.In conclusion, there is a sig-nificant ability to create com-petitive differentiation through the intelligent use of IoT and Collaboration technologies. The cost of the integration of these technologies can be significantly reduced through the use of Cloud infrastructure and embedded analytics. The only limitation to the scope of these solutions is the vision and ingenuity of the Enterprise and the expertise of the carrier and its supporting Ecosystem.
< Page 8 | Page 10 >