The Future is Smart

Book excerpt: Are you ready for the IoT revolution? The Internet of Things (IoT) will soon be everywhere—embedded in interconnected devices we’ll use every day, and this book documents the shifts now under way. Cars, appliances, and wearables already transmit real-time data to improve performance, and new IoT products can even save your life. Consumer goods are just the tip of the iceberg. Amid projections that 30 billion smart devices will be linked soon, traditional companies such as Siemens, GE, and John Deere are preparing for profound changes to management, strategy, manufacturing, and maintenance. With the IoT, for example, sensors warn when a critical assembly-line part is about to break, or track how customers actually use products. Data hubs collect and share information instantly with departments, supply chains, partners, and customers— anchoring the organization and replacing hierarchies with circular systems. Written by a leading IoT strategist, The Future is Smart explains how companies are tapping technology to: Optimize supply chains Maximize quality Boost safety Increase efficiency Reduce waste Cut costs Revolutionize product design Delight customers For those who are ready, the opportunities are endless. This big-think book reveals concrete actions for thriving in this new tech-enabled world.