Top IoT Trends of 2018

With over 20 billion connected devices around the world, it’s no wonder many businesses are interested in the latest Internet of Things (IoT) trends.

Needless to say, the expectations are pretty high. Most experts agree that 2018 will be the year where IoT gets adopted in certain major industries. This is one of many factors that should lead to further investment in the IoT industry.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that this will be “the year of IoT.” Instead of an explosive growth period, we’ll see a steady rise – combined with some growing pains.

In short, we’re in for exciting times. To help you prepare for them, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 most important IoT trends you should know about.

1. Better Data Analytics

Considering the vast influx of data associated with IoT, it’s fair to say companies will be looking for more efficient ways to process it. By the end of this year, data analytics should become a mainstay in many business models.

What’s the next step? According to companies like Dell, Cisco, and HPE, it’s all about pushing your core infrastructure to the edge. Other than processing data, edge networking helps businesses reduce their network usage.

2. Mobile Platform Improvements

As you may know, the shift from mobile-first to mobile-only is gaining serious traction. This is hardly a surprise. After all, mobile platforms are, in theory, the perfect management system for IoT devices.

This trend won’t take off overnight. Most early IoT adopters need to refine their strategies and many late-comers are only just jumping into the mix.

3. More Fragmentation

As IoT grows, it’s also becoming more fragmented. For most businesses, this is far from a welcome development. Companies like Qualcomm are fighting for improving IoT standards and protocols, but it’s clear we’re not there yet.

Why is fragmentation a problem? The answer is obvious: compatibility issues. We’re already seeing this happen with the growth of Software-as-a-Service solutions.

4. Security Concerns

One additional downside of fragmentation is that it leads to system compromise. A fragmented infrastructure is a natural enemy of network security systems.

This year, we should see big leaps forward in the IoT security industry. For starters, biometric identification should become the norm. Also, more businesses will start relying on big data techniques to prevent data breaches.

5. The Retail Revolution

According to experts, the retail industry is ready to embrace the IoT boom.

The reasoning is simple: IoT is a great way to improve the customer experience. As many businesses have already figured out, the economy of the retail industry is going to look very different in a couple of years.

By jumping on the IoT bandwagon, retail stores are starting to connect with their customers in personal and exciting ways. As of right now, there’s no better way to grow your brand.

More on IoT Trends

As the past couple of years have proven, IoT is here to stay. Most businesses now face a simple choice: follow the trends or get left in the dust.

Want to learn more about the IoT industry? Not sure how to prepare for the digitally-dominated future? Contact us and we’ll provide you with the assistance you need.

Sagacent Technologies offers technology management and support, including proactive/preventative maintenance, onsite and offsite data back-ups, network and security audits, mobility solutions, disaster planning and emergency business resumption services. The company serves clients of 10 to 150 employees within the Silicon Valley region.