The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a great example of today’s digital innovation within the field of internet connectivity. The concept essentially refers to a system that consists of computing devices, as well as digital and mechanical machines, that all have the ability to transfer data over a digital network without the need for interaction between people and devices. Its adoption is steadily increasing among various sectors in South Africa, and this is perhaps a testament to its effectiveness within a business context. With the aid of IoT, you’ll be able to monitor various aspects of your business more efficiently. Here are some ways in which IoT can benefit your business’ productivity.

Efficient office equipment

The benefits of IoT are particularly noticeable when it comes to the efficiency of smart machinery or office equipment. Take Nashua’s smart business printing solutions for example. Some of our printers have built-in sensors that pick up when a person is in close proximity. Thanks to this feature, these printers will automatically warm up within a matter of seconds and be ready to use. Imagine that convenient features like this one were incorporated into the workings of several pieces of office equipment. You and your employees will be able to operate that equipment with little to no hassle as certain tasks would be simplified. 

Also remember that if a specific piece of business equipment is connected to your network and has been set up properly, then it can readily notify you in the event of some kind of defect or breakdown. This is, once again, thanks to the intervention of IoT. For example, in the manufacturing industry, sensors connected to a malfunctioning machine can find the source of the problem and automatically alert a supervisor. It’s innovation like this that makes IoT so exciting.

Better scheduling of meetings

There are other ways in which IoT can positively affect day-to-day business operations. With an abundance of connected devices comes a greater amount of data, and this data can be put to use in a variety of effective ways. LivePlan mentions how some organisations make use of smart sensors to assess when meeting rooms within the office space are most occupied, as well as where employees spend most of their time during the day. 

The information gathered can, according to LivePlan, “be used to schedule meetings more efficiently, letting schedulers choose rooms and times where people will likely be nearby anyway. This process can minimize the disruptive effect meetings can have on workers’ productivity.”  Hppy echoes this, describing how IoT, by “making conference rooms smart”, improves meeting planning and schedule visibility.

Helping supply chain management

The IoT can be particularly beneficial for business owners who work in the logistics, goods delivery and warehouse management industries. An IoT-enabled warehouse can provide relevant information on details such as the location and routing of goods in transit. The technology in use could include radio-frequency identification (RFID) tools that can help a business track the movement of goods in real time. UberEats makes use of RFID technology, helping you track where your food is after you’ve ordered it. This technology should offer store managers some assurance about the state and whereabouts of their products, as well as ensuring that supply chain vendors are responsible in their management of goods. There’s also the possibility of smart shipping containers fitted with connected devices that will make the management of inventory a lot easier. Managers can be alerted in the event that a certain product is out of stock, or if the warehouse temperature is affecting certain goods.

Better employee productivity

There are certain ways in which an IoT enabled workspace can boost the productivity of your employees. Writing for IoT News, technical support company Spaceti cites Deloitte as saying that 40% of its employees spend up to half an hour each day looking for places, people and items. This loss of time can be reduced, or maybe even eliminated, by the deployment of an IoT-enabled building navigation system. As a result, employees have more time to focus on their jobs.

IoT can be beneficial to many companies in a variety of ways. It can improve the manner in which business processes are carried out, as in the case of supply chain management and the transportation of goods. It can also make certain business operations more hassle-free while lessening the tediousness of administrative tasks.