The Newer Normal: Embracing the Internet of Things (IoT)

While the phrase “internet of things” conjures up images of a wave of futuristic self-driving cars and talking refrigerators, inter-connected devices are set to change the way we live. Even though the idea of a smart home is still new, technological advances have gone far beyond the four walls of your home.

Whether it’s about saving time, resources or opening new horizons for innovation, it’s about time you started preparing for the new normal.

Managing Occupancy Rates at the Workplace

Since many people are now vaccinated, offices are beginning to reopen. That said, one of the toughest challenges for corporate real estate leaders is that they must allow employees to maintain a physical distance, and that’s where occupancy sensors can help.

Thanks to these sensors, you can always know where people are in a room and on a floor. This way, managers can always know which area is becoming overcrowded and needs reconstruction. For example, break rooms or conference rooms.

Greener and Cheaper Manufacturing

The device interconnectivity will also expedite the adoption of a smart grid. This grid will use sensors, meters, and other digital tools to control the distribution of energy. That’s because grids can be integrated with energy sources like power, wind, and solar.

Moreover, this will also drastically reduce costs for manufacturing plants since IoT can:

• Reduce waste,
• Decrease fuel consumption, and
• Discard economically viable resources.

Your Appliances Will Work for You

Have you ever wished you didn’t have to spend hours preparing the grocery list? Luckily for you, that wish is now a reality since refrigerators can now order groceries for you as you begin to run out. Apart from this, there are also device controlling apps like the AirTag Apple announced last year.

Additionally, the paradigm has also shifted for businesses since mobile applications can control electrical switches and security systems. Technology enthusiasts willing to live a smart life have already begun their journey towards the future. The latter is thanks to online stores like Gimmie, making modern technology accessible.

Improving Safety and Productivity

IoT can inculcate a culture of productivity in several ways. Connected devices help us find objects easier, and getting directions has become easy, too. In an office, employees can know which room is empty to work in peace and be more productive. Moreover, the janitorial staff can use the same sensor to know which room they should clean first since it has lower occupancy, but that’s not all!

IoT devices can also enable safer working conditions for those working in hazardous conditions. For example, IoT can also notice patterns within manufacturing plants that have caused past accidents and alert staff whenever it notices a similar pattern.

So, in other words, IoT can save your life.

Fostering a Culture of Collaboration in a Hybrid Workplace

One of the most prominent challenges organisations face because of COVID-19 is determining how to facilitate a hybrid workforce. If employees were given a choice, some would prefer working from home, while others would be eager to return to the workplace. Is this model going to be effective?

A changing workforce demands innovative solutions, and that’s where IoT can help. With help from immersive and emerging tools like augmented reality (AR), employees can interact with each other a lot more effectively. Whether they’re in a video conferencing room or a café, AR is a game-changer.

Are You Ready to Embrace Change?

Believe it or not, there are still doubters out there who think IoT is just another useless toy. But to be fair, the same people thought the internet was a consumer fad, too.

IoT is here to change the way we live, and in the current decade, we’ll see proof.