13/06/18

IoT – what exactly is it?

As we head through 2018 businesses across Shropshire are thrown headlong into the continuing trend of new technologies.

A number of new trends have been identified for this year, many in the IoT and AI areas.

Business owners recognise the term AI (Artificial Intelligence) but many have not come across IoT – until now.

IoT is the Internet of Things.

In other words, it’s the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items that are embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and network connectivity which enable these objects to connect and exchange data.

They include watches or exercise equipment connected to our phones, the printers connected to our computers…..the connections that are made without using wires!

The predictions for information technology over the next five years includes a huge increase in IoT – which means that businesses need to ensure they can access the internet at faster speeds than an Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) can provide.

As an IT provider our most popular service in 2017 was Internet connectivity.

Telford’s industrial estates and business parks have now been upgraded to FTTC, super fast broadband technology.

We are the ones swapping out the routers and installing modems, as the routers for broadband on ADSL were not compatible with the new technology associated with VDSL (Very high bitrate Digital Subscriber Line).

And with new technologies comes new equipment – Windows 7 is getting old and we have been working with clients to replace a lot of PCs and laptops.

With the speed of changing technologies it can be difficult for business owners to predict what they will be using in a few years time – but preparation is key, and the use of the Internet and IoT is not looking like slowing down anytime soon.