SPOT: THE INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) AND ITS IMPORTANCE
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the most pervasive and wide-spread expression of the Information Age since the introduction of the Internet. It already exists in several forms in our daily lives to include active alerts to smartphones from home security systems to automobiles notifying drivers of an under-inflated tire. IoT is the connection of electrical-mechanical devices and sensors in our homes and workplaces creating an expanded connection of Internet connectivity to “smart” devices throughout our daily lives. It has also been described as “…basically connecting any device with an on and off switch to the Internet (or to each other) …” (Morgan, 2014). IoT is more than just the interconnectivity of devices and includes sensor-enhanced objects such as a milk carton or loaf of bread. It includes efficiencies and predetermined automated actions to determine when eggs need to be purchased or when the density of exterior home paint has reached an unacceptable level—and, it is time to repaint.
More broadly, it can be extended to a business campus area or city. Such concepts as “smart cities” will provide essential capabilities for homes and businesses to reduce energy costs by regulating temperatures and reducing emissions into the environment. The expanded importance of IoT will greatly expand automation of those everyday tasks in a more active approach to ensure an improved work-life balance.
ORGANIZATIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Many companies and some sectors of the federal government are already early-adopters of IoT. Examples include the United States Postal System and the General Services Administration (GSA). For example, GSA is “…collecting approximately 29 million data points a day associated with building lights, elevators, energy consumption, chillers and boilers” (Walker, 2015). GSA has deployed IoT throughout many of its locations and is effectively employing it to manage workplace efficiencies and reductions in energy costs through the active processing of these millions of data points.
Further, GSA’s “Smart Buildings” initiative is studying how to effectively use its wide array of buildings and infrastructures. They are employing advanced smart sensors and software to support expanding work initiatives such as telework and to improve utilized spaces more efficiently. This includes analyzing building use patterns, areas over or under-utilized, and how to best reduce power consumption rates. This includes motion sensors and prescribed shut-off times based upon specific reservation duration times. GSA’s Chief Technology Officer expressed his current approval of the initiative in that “…it improves how we utilize space [better]” (Ravindranath, 2014).
CONCLUSION
While the IoT is an emerging human and technological enabler, there are several concerns regarding its overall adoption to include both privacy and security. As widely shown in recent breaches of Sony and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) “[o]verall security is only as good as its weakest point” (Claburn, 2015). The concerns are real and need to be addressed since security, as well as privacy, are critical elements of current day acceptance of any new technologies.
Finally, IoT offers many benefits, savings, and efficiencies that will undoubtedly be worth the effort to deploy it correctly. IoT is already part of our daily lives such as within home security system notifications and alerts to other devices. IoT offers significant advantages in that it will provide a nearly sheer presence in our lives and address those mundane chores and activities in a much more positive manner—such as texting us when we are out of Rocky Road ice cream. This ongoing phenomenon will be that next-generation evolution of the Information Age that will reduce routine activities to a near minimum.
REFERENCES
Claburn, T. (2015, May 15). Internet Of Things: 6 Obstacles. Retrieved from Information Week: http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/mobile-devices/internet-of-things-6-obstacles/d/d-id/1320434
Morgan, J. (2014, May 13). A Simple Explanation of the ‘Internet of Things.’ Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2014/05/13/simple-explanation-internet-things-that-anyone-can-understand/
Ravindranath, M. (2014, August 31). At GSA, an ‘Internet of Things’ experiment. Retrieved from The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-it/at-gsa-an-internet-of-things-experiment/2014/08/30/403c620c-2e10-11e4-994d-202962a9150c_story.html
Walker, M. B. (2015, May 18). GSA, USPS find early success with the Internet of Things. Retrieved from Fierce Government IT: http://www.fiercegovernmentit.com/node/40681/print
