Broadband internet as IoT Customer service has become widely available with connection costs decreasing. More devices that have Wi-Fi capabilities and sensors have emerged.
Thanks to the advancement of technology that has enabled objects to be connected with sensors as artificial intelligence, they can communicate real-time data without involving human beings.
Besides, devices such as smartphones, machines, and the world’s wearable fabric are made smarter and more responsive. Technology has ensured they can be connected to the internet with an on and off switch. This merging of the physical and digital universe is perfect evidence of the Internet of Things (IoT).
What is IoT?
Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the billions of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, or other technologies purposed to connecting and sharing data with other systems over the internet.
Internet of Things definition applies to the objects that “talk” to each other.
Better still, it refers to devices that can collect and transmit data over the internet with on and off switch.
An example of IoT would be,
Any physical object that can be connected to the internet is then controlled to communicate information.
Let’s take, for instance,
A simple watch used to show time and date can be integrated into the internet to allow individuals to see their heartbeat rate, steps walked, and other information.
Also, with IoT, a light bulb can be switched on and off using a smartphone app irrespective of the location so long as there is an internet connection. Besides, their interaction over the internet can be controlled remotely when required.
The devices are purely integrated with high-definition technology that ensures they can communicate and interact over the internet.
How do the IoT works?
IoT primarily depends on two things for you to transform a device into an IoT smart object;
- The object must have internet connection capabilities.
- The device should allow integration with technology that supports network connections like the sensors and functional software.
Immediately the two functionalities are combined, an IoT device is created.
Here are some of the technologies that have made IoT possible?
Of course, the idea of IoT has been in existence for a more extended period. (See a brief history of IoT). However, there are some recent advancements in technologies that have made IoT possible and more practical.
These include;
Connectivity
The extensive processes of connecting different parts of a network have been made easy with several network protocols. The provision of the internet has ensured sensors are connected to the cloud for data transfers.
Low-cost and low-power sensor technology
The presence or access to affordable and reliable sensors has ensured IoT technology is more convenient for most manufacturers and internet providers.
Cloud computing platforms
An increase in cloud computing platforms‘ availability has ensured both businesses and consumers can create any infrastructure they need in scaling up without having to manage all their activities.
Advances in machine learning and analytics
The provision of a vast and varied amount of data stored in the cloud enables individuals to get insights faster and easier to handle different machines, software, or new technology.
The availability of allied technology has continued to push for IoT. Besides, the data produced by the IoT can also be used to feed different technologies.
Availability of conversational artificial intelligence (AI)
Several advancements in a neural network have ensured the growth of conversational artificial intelligence that has brought natural-language processing (NLP). Like personal digital assistants, chatbots, or voice assistants, among others.
Users can talk to the devices since they can imitate human interactions, recognize speech and text inputs then translate their meanings across different languages.
How can you exhaust the potential of internet of things (IoT)?
There are numerous ways to integrate IoT Customer service applications into your operations, depending on the area of expertise you ventures on.
Let’s look at IoT applications in a few fields and how you’d benefit from IoT.
IoT in the manufacturing industries
In manufacturing, IoT ensures machine-to-machine interaction. This means the IoT-enabled device can transmit operational information to other parts of the production. As the functional manager, you would be able to remotely manage any factory unit taking advantage of automation and optimization processes.
Besides, IoT ensures a digitally connected unit that establishes a better line of commands to enable managers to identify key results areas. You can have a competitive advantage by using production line monitoring.
The sensors would help measure the production output and identifies when the production is compromised. Besides, it enables proactive maintenance onof equipment immediately; the sensor detects an impending failure.
Therefore, as a manufacturing company, you can deploy IoT to quickly help you check equipment accuracy and remove the faulty ones from production lines until they are repaired. This would allow you to reduce any operational cost, get better uptime, and improves your asset performance management.
IoT in maintenance management
The combination of sensors and specialized software ensures that a multifunctional tool is applied to different managements. Also, the useful life of some physical assets’ reliability and availability is guaranteed. Therefore, you can ensure you use IoT in;
Facility management
When IoT sensors are used in any equipment, it ensures conditioned-based maintenance alerts. Certain machines are designed to function within specific temperatures or vibrations of range.
For example, let’s take wearable and sensor-connected patients gadgets that allow doctors to monitor their patients outside the hospital in real-time.
Therefore, the IoT sensor-embedded devices would help you actively manage machines and send an alert when equipment fails from its prescribed working conditions. Different facilities can conserve energy, reduce cost, increase operational efficiency, and eliminate equipment/machine downtime.
IoT in businesses
Businesses that deploy IoT in their operations are bound to benefit in the following ways;
Production flow monitoring
When you apply IoT, you will monitor your production lines, starting from your refining process to your products/services’ packaging and selling. It offers you the complete monitoring of all the processes in real-time.
For instance. It enables easy inventory management. IoT permits the monitoring of activities across your supply chain management. The IoT Customer service ensures that your inventory and products are tracked and traced as they move through the supply chain. This means you will be able to know of any critical deviation from your plans.
Besides, with IoT applications, you are sure of your inventories’ cross-channel visibility with realistic estimates of the available products/services and new materials’ arrival time. This data ensures you can predict issues, reduce capital requirements, and potentially reduce inventory.
Quality control
You can deploy IoT applications to help you manage your product’s data. For instance, IoT sensors ensure the product data and any third-party syndicated data are aggregated from the various stages of the product cycle.
When the data is used on the customers’ final products, the IoT Customer service device can provide the customer’s reactions/sentiments on using your products. This means you can later analyze the inputs to identify and correct any quality issues with your products.
Packaging optimization
As a business, you can decide to use IoT sensors in your goods or services’ product packaging. Through the sensors, you will gain insight into the usage patterns of customers using your products. This will enable you to know the package optimization impacts on your business.
IoT smart tracking will ensure you can trace your product deterioration during the transit or impact of weather and other products variables. This will help you re-engineer products and packaging for your customer experience and the cost of packaging.
IoT in general safety
No matter the field you operate in, you can deploy IoT technology to help your workers’ general safety. IoT combines data analysis that can help in monitoring key performing indicators in health and safety.
A case study is in hazardous environments such as gas fields, mines, chemicals, and power plants. People may need to know the occurrence of unfavorable conditions that may strike them. However, when the places are connected to IoT Customer service sensor-based applications, they would be able to get notifications of some conditions.
Therefore, as a manager in any field, you need to ensure that you install IoT monitoring applications to better your workers’ and customers’ safety.
Better still, technology and IoT software has led to greater impacts on communication processes of any business for customer experience and satisfaction
Conclusion
Technology has made objects into “human.” Nowadays, devices can transmit and share data. Others are embedded with sensors and made smarter and responsive for customer experience. They can communicate information once connected to the internet with an on and off switch in a process known as IoT.
As a manager of a specific field, business, or organization, you can deploy IoT Customer service applications to help you in manufacturing and maintenance management. You will also be sure of your production flow management, quality control, package optimization, and the general safety of your workers and customers.
