Internet of Things (IoT)
All-things-business. Smart & connected.
You want your people to do what they do best.
But you are running short of eyes and ears in your business.
A quick 'check everything' is becoming impractical.
And as customer demand grows, it is clear that up-to-date information is what sets you apart.
How do you get the information you need to act immediately?
Connect critical information with Internet of Things.
Want to know how to efficiently work thanks to smart sensors?
Always and everywhere have up-to-date insight into what needs to be done now?
Fully automated without manual intervention?
We can make it happen.
Anytime. Anywhere.
Smarter business with connected data.
Automated operations and scheduling
A reminder of upcoming crowds in the car park and checkout area
Underutilised space
Information on hesitants and no-sales
Optimal navigation and routing
Availability of spaces
What's the state of cleanliness
Security risks
Interaction between customer and staff
Identification of objects and individuals
Localisation of products and orders
Providing sales and marketing with information and actions
And a whole lot more
Frequently asked questions about Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is an umbrella term for the network of devices that are (always) connected to collect and exchange data.
This can range from sensors, such as temperature, energy or water meters, to cars, office equipment and industrial processes. These devices are connected to an internet or network to enable centralised control and data exchange.
IoT stands for: Internet of Things
In Dutch ‘Internet of Things’ translates to ‘Internet der Dingen’
Smart devices, systems and sensors make it easy to monitor the status of a device or process, for example. This makes it possible to gain new insights and fully automate processes.
A few examples:
- Gain insight into energy consumption, etc,
- Detecting leaks or loss of pressure in pipes,
- Detect unwanted vibration or noise,
- Warning in case of deviations.
Devices, systems and sensors often have the ability to send or receive data via software or an intermediate station. In the best cases, this is structured data that is delivered without translation and processed centrally.
The data exchange itself has many methods and technical protocols through which this can take place. This is where IoT shows its flexibility and many advantages. After all, every situation and every environment is different: just think of the things that have a big impact, such as signal coverage and distances.
In most cases, getting the data to a central location for further analysis and action is where things start.
Any device can be made 'smart' by adding software or sensors. This makes it easy to automate new insights or processes that previously required human interaction or complete device replacement. Even devices without any form of connectivity can be unlocked effortlessly.
Another big advantage is that sensors monitor 24/7, taking data every second or even millisecond and passing it to the necessary systems for analysis or action.
With the growth of sensors and protocols, new challenges arise in terms of device and infrastructure security. At worst, a poorly secured sensor can provide new and unwanted access to the device or network.
Our advice: ensure a completely separate IoT network with the right firewall configuration and shielding of the systems the sensors connect to.
Another drawback is the gigantic mountain of data that is not used or lacks any kind of relevance to the device or process. So always ensure that the process that the device and thus the sensor becomes part of is fully mapped.
Yes, it does. There are many solutions that allow an IoT network and sensors to operate completely isolated and offline.
Communication between sensors and the system where this data converges can be done in many ways. For example, consider sensors that are wired or wirelessly connected via WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave or LoRaWAN.
Once the data is unlocked from the device or sensor, there are many ways to get it where it needs to go. Commonly used technical solutions to move this data are MQTT, API and Websockets.
Infinite, worldwide and even in space. As long as it has some form of communications traffic, it can function.
This allows sensors to cover not only physical locations but also moving objects such as cars, trucks, containers, parcels and airplanes.
One of the most compact IoT sensors has a thickness of 1.5mm and a total weight of 6.5 grams (size: 98 x 130 x 1.5), including a temperature sensor and an average battery life of 3 to 5 years. Suitable for applications including transportation, archiving and accounting.
On average, battery or rechargeable sensors last 3 to 5 years. The most important factor is the reporting period, e.g. every 10 minutes.
It is usually possible to replace the battery. The sensors report their status regularly so that failures can be prevented and replacement can take place in time.
Yes. In 2024, IoT is here to stay, with a projected growth to 64 billion connected devices by 2025.
Modern devices will automatically become part of an IoT network. Think of mobile devices that can effortlessly control lights or alarms.
Virtually every home, office and industrial environment has some form of IoT active. This is expected to continue to grow.
The best solution is to monitor the in-place network. This will quickly reveal which (unknown) IoT devices are connected to the network and what they are communicating with.
In many cases, firewalls can also provide a quick insight into what traffic is taking place to find IoT and sensor traces.
1. Start by mapping your processes and desired outcomes.
2. Check if the device or system in question offers some form of data sharing.
3. Examine the environment in which the process, device or system is located. Variables to consider: temperature, humidity, signal range and any network/power connection.
4. Consider whether the process in question can be monitored by a sensor or camera.
5. A 'sensor' can perform several functions at the same time. For example, a door sensor can register not only 'open' and 'close' activity, but also the duration of that movement, and the impact of humidity and temperature on the room, operations and costs.
6. Choose a sensor manufacturer that offers automatic/integrated calibration, has the ability to time synchronise and continues to record when temporarily disconnected from the network.
7. Provide a completely separate network over which the sensor can communicate. All this for optimum (digital) security.
8. Set the correct value at which you will receive information automatically, rather than having to check manually.
9. Document the adjustment, function and what the required result is to be.
10. Have a sensor checked at regular intervals, this will ensure that the sensor and process are active and that the battery/battery status is accurately monitored (for wireless sensors).