Have you ever received a text from your stapler?

How about a reminder from your refrigerator that you’re low on milk? Or maybe a warning from your car that your brake pads are getting a bit worn down?

Chances are you haven’t—but don’t expect it to stay that way. With the staggering proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), you can bet that it won’t be long before all of the appliances, tools, and everyday objects that have been unassumingly sitting around in your life are going to be getting a burst of intelligence.

Welcome to your future.

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to a scenario in which non-computers are given the ability to communicate data freely over the internet. These “things” (although IoT can also refer to animals, or even people) can then automatically connect with other things to exchange information.

Think about that for a moment. Imagine if your toothbrush could detect possible cavities, and then relay that information to your telephone and prompt you to schedule an appointment with your dentist. The reality of the situation is that this future isn’t distant at all, and unless businesses want to be left in the dust, they’d better start preparing for the impending technological revolution.

With the ability to collect and analyze actionable customer data, self-diagnose their own computer systems, and automatically update your social media feeds, IoT devices will completely change the face of marketing. After all, there won’t be much use for irrelevant popup ads and browser cookies when there is enough data and communication to be able to reach consumers when they most need to be reached, and provide them with answers to the problems that they are having right now.

And not only does this mean a world in which advertising is welcome rather than interruptive—it may also end up saving businesses thousands of dollars in marketing expenses. After all, it costs less to send an advertisement to a single person who wants your product than it does to send 100 advertisements to 99 uninterested individuals.

So take a few moments and familiarize yourself with what the growing world of IoT has in store for your business. After all, when inanimate, everyday objects start to become “smarter,” your business should make sure to do the same. 

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