Creative use of IoT for small businesses to cut costs and save time
The Internet of Things is referred to as a system of interconnected devices with the ability to communicate over a network. These devices do not require any kind of intervention from human beings. As a small business owner, you painstakingly build your perfect business model, you need to pay attention to data collection. Without the data, your business might not work to its optimum efficiency. As you automate the extent of data entry, it will save several manhours wasted in data entry and despatch. This effect will straightaway cut down on waiting time for updates about your small business.
As a revolutionary technology, IoT has promised paradigm shifts in small business applications and consumer products markets. We already witness consumer IoT in our daily lives. It is everywhere, it is on your wrist in the form of a smartwatch, it is in your house with smart sensing lights, your CCTV monitoring cameras. IoT has delivered its promise in the field of consumer devices. It is time that it makes an impact on the creative use of IoT for small businesses. Regardless of size, companies need to have a sizeable control over optimizing processes, control costs and improve productivity. In particular, small businesses already employ fewer people and have lesser resources; hence, they present themselves as the best consumers for IoT.
IoT For Small Businesses
So for example, Bluetooth accelerometer manufactured by Shenzhen Eelink Communication Technology Co Ltd sensor is a marvelous piece of IoT. It comes equipped with a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and accelerometer. It is also a next-generation beacon featuring the latest Bluetooth 5.0 hardware platform. The device is powered by robust intelligence software. This is the best-priced piece of equipment in its class and best suited for small businesses. It is powered by a battery, an active tag and is compatible with the most up to date mobile OS.
You may think of IoT as another source of information generation, recording, and analysis. Amusing as it sounds, the devices that collect data talk among themselves and do not need any human intervention.
IoT devices directly address traditional business problems and eliminate process constraints effectively. These small businesses stand to gain a lot through use of IoT devices. It allows businesses to optimize their processes, enhance productivity, reduce costs, and do a lot more.
IoT in action in Businesses
You name a big tech organization and you are sure to find active use of IoT. Companies like Tesla, Walmart, and Amazon actively use IoT to do business better. Small businesses on the other hand, are yet to get the first taste of IoT. A probable reason could be that the small businesses don’t seem to believe that the IoT will work for them as they do not see beyond the enormous volumes of big corporations. IoT device manufacturers have already realized that application specific customization is the way for their devices to succeed. Sometimes even a small piece of IoT equipment like the DB01 beacon from Eelinktech can find its use in several applications with custom changes in just the software.
Applications for Small Business
As the IoT devices begin to reach small businesses, their application in business ushers an improved efficiency and economy. The practice of using IoT in large corporations is almost a standard with big corporations. It should pan out the same way for small businesses.
- Management of Goods
Temperature maintenance is an absolute backbone of a successful cold chain. It is conveniently monitored through sensors. Edible items such as Agri produce, processed foods are perishable as well as regulated. In case there is a fluctuation in temperature during transit, the item is rendered unusable. And obviously, the onus will fall on the truck leasing company. To avoid such an expensive and undesirable situation, cargo monitoring system needs to be in place. Temperature and humidity sensors facilitate compliance with strict standards and healthy margins for the fleet operators.
IoT can definitely provide insights for better food safety. Businesses can measure temperature and humidity in real-time in cold storage and transit facilities with IoT devices.
- Workforce Management
At the time of the emergence of mobile devices in trucks, the drivers initially rejected the change. Now that such devices are a norm, some drivers will not take loads without a IoT mobile device system. The IoT devices allow drivers to deliver their job responsibilities quickly, efficiently, and safely. They don’t have to spend time writing manual logbooks anymore. Nor do they have to worry about exceeding Hours of Service (HOS) restrictions. IoT-enabled systems mean that they can have a faster turnaround for their truck loads. Devices like DB01 beacon can connect with other devices on the network via Bluetooth 5.0 for long-hour operation for up to 3 years. Electronic inspection of their cargo can be done by the drivers as they connect using their smartphone or tablet. Such cloud-based devices provide first-hand basic advice on troubleshooting the most common issues. Companies can use the connected network and send targeted messages to the smartphones of their target audience. Beacons are already replacing traditional timesheets.
Small business companies can even use beacons to know if employees are using suitable safety equipment and gear. Beacons are small in size and have long battery life. Hence they can be used to track floor workers and ensure they follow the right protocols for handling equipment.
- Data analytics and forecasting
The GPS reports generated from the beacons can enable fleet managers to predict and plan routes based on traffic and road conditions around the year. Dispatchers can also set delivery schedules based on cloud-based data analytics. Trucks can proceed to their destination by spending the least amount of time on the route.
Once the small business company figures out a way to create channels for capturing consumers’ data, the sky is the limit for their growth. They can connect to customer IoT devices t gain access to their customer data and check how consumers use their products. This can directly help in improving product design and build quality depending on the choices of the consumers.
IoT, unlike other machine-based technologies, is not a threat to the existing workforce. It is to be considered as an enabler that complements the work done by humans. Thereby bringing in more efficiency. Routine activities can be automated by the use of IoT. And employees can focus on value-adding activities.
Global spending on IoT is expected to surpass $1.29 trillion in 2020. With the growing influence of IoT in manufacturing and other small business activities, their contribution to global IoT spending will increase much fold. As per Statista, for the year 2017 and 2018, the most significant issue with any supply chain was visibility. Additionally, the number of IoT devices used across the world has already exceeded by 23 Billion. Visibility in a supply chain means that the stakeholders can control the supply chain from a vantage point.