By Neil Strother The Internet of Things (IoT) trend continues to make inroads among companies around the globe, according to new data from telecom giant Vodafone. Its latest survey on the topic finds more than a quarter (28%) of responding companies are already using IoT in their operations, and three quarters (76%) say the IoT will be critical for the future success of any organization in their sector. While this trend continues to be transformative for many businesses, one of the remaining barriers to IoT adoption is security, or the lack thereof. Nearly one in five (18%) survey respondents say the concern about security breaches is a potential barrier to wider IoT adoption within their companies. From an energy industry perspective, robust security is still key, of course, given the critical nature of the infrastructure and data. The survey indicates some positive moves in this regard, with nearly six in ten (59%) energy and utility companies working on IoT security guidelines and roughly half (52%) working with a specialist security provider. I choose to see this glass as half full, but the emphasis on the security piece could use some improvement. Wireless Networks in Europe Elsewhere, there is further evidence of the expanding IoT trend. In the Netherlands, telecom provider KPN has recently announced the completion of its nationwide wireless IoT network. The company also notes it has signed contracts to connect 1.5 million devices so far, and that potential customers include governments seeking to link sensors on critical infrastructure, companies that specialize in lighting and traffic control, and consumers with fobs on bicycles for monitoring location. In addition to KPN, French startup Sigfox is building a similar IoT network and is currently deploying its service in 20 countries. One other clear sign of the growing IoT trend was the recent huge deal by Japan’s SoftBank, which is acquiring British chip designer ARM Holdings for $32 billion. The deal is the largest acquisition by a Japanese firm in Europe. The big bet by SoftBank is that ARM can become a leader in the design of chips that power IoT devices, similar to how ARM’s designs are key to the success of smartphones and tablets. A Rising Tide For utilities and other energy-related firms, it is hard to ignore this rising global IoT tide. The emerging technology is altering business processes, and stakeholders need to pay attention and make strategic plans. This is something my colleague Casey Talon and I point out in our Navigant Research report titled IoT Enabled Managed Services. By seizing on the opportunities of an array of IoT devices and combining the data with analytics and bundling services, utilities can improve their own operations and increase customer satisfaction. It’s a trend worthy of investment.
The IoT technology is increasingly being adopted by companies worldwide, according to a survey by Vodafone. Of the firms that responded, 28% said they were already using IoT technology technology and 76% said IoT technology would be crucial to future success in their sector. However, 18% said that security concerns could be a potential barrier to the wider adoption of IoT technology within their businesses. Elsewhere, Netherlands telecom provider, KPN, has also completed its nationwide IoT technology network and SoftBank has acquired ARM in a bid to lead the design of chips to power IoT technology devices.