Jul 24, 2014 By Laura Fagan

7 Steps to Success on the Internet of Things

in IT

The Internet of Things (IoT) has untold potential for how businesses connect to their customers. Companies can become far more intelligent about the world their products exist in and customers can get much better service by being offered solutions even before they are aware they need them.

Still, understanding how to apply the power of IoT -- and what IDC predicts will be a $7.1 trillion industry -- to a specific enterprise, is where many of us get stuck. The following list will help demystify exactly what you need to leverage IoT to transform your business.

Read through this quick overview and for a much more comprehensive look, join us Monday, July 28th at 10 am PST / 1 pm EST for the free webinar 7 Steps to Success on the Internet of Things.

1. Build a connected system

Before you decide on your IoT strategy, you must first think through the entire process. Determine how modifying a product, creating something new, or switching up an internal business process will change the user or customer experience.

2. Create a connected object

This step involves choosing the right hardware for the job. You will need to find a development board that meets the form factor and computation requirements your job demands.

3. Build the IoT infrastructure

Choose a cloud infrastructure that will connect your intelligent objects to the Internet. Consider how you will store data, whether you will have an API, as well as your security standards.

4. Create applications

In the world of IoT, users typically care most about the connected device applications, built on cloud app platforms such as Force.com and Heroku, that allow them to view information. In addition, these apps can give your business insights into your customers and recurring revenue opportunities.

5. Tie into business systems

In the IoT, you have the option of connecting applications that manage business systems, such as accounting and HR, to real-time data from products used by customers.

6. Drive business transformation

Analytics and automation allow you to break down all the data your connected devices produce into categories that are relevant to your business. These can include reporting, filtering, exploring, acting, and predicting.

7. Maintain, service, and support

Take the time to think through what you will need to ensure that your IoT solutions not only run for the foreseeable future, but can also be repaired with little effort. Consider items such as accessibility over time and how often upgrades will be needed.

Join LogMeIn, ARM, salesforce.com, and Heroku for the free webinar 7 Steps to Success on the Internet of Things, this Monday, July 28th at 10 am PST / 1 pm EST.

Hear how to get started from a business and technology perspective so you can quickly bring to market connected solutions that expand revenue, optimize operations, and delight customers and users.

What you will learn: