Essential Guide
IoT analytics guide: Understanding Internet of Things data
The Internet of Things is about much more than just smart refrigerators. Get insight on managing and analyzing IoT data in business applications in this Essential Guide.
Introduction
The Internet of Things (IoT) sounds like a consumer fantasy come true -- who wouldn't want to be able to turn off the lights at home from two towns away, or leave it to their refrigerator to make sure they know when milk, butter and other staples need to be replenished? But there's more to the IoT than lifestyle enhancement. It also includes a corporate side, enabling organizations to collect and analyze data from sensors on manufacturing equipment, pipelines, weather stations, smart meters, delivery trucks and other types of machinery.
IoT analytics applications can help companies understand the Internet of Things data at their disposal, with an eye toward reducing maintenance costs, avoiding equipment failures and improving business operations. In addition, retailers, restaurant chains and makers of consumer goods can use data from smartphones, wearable technologies and in-home devices to do targeted marketing and promotions -- the business side of the IoT's futuristic world of connected consumer gear.
Prior to the emergence of the IoT, taking a step back to analyze all of the information provided by the assortment of devices it can encompass was exceedingly difficult, if not outright impossible. As David Smith, a principal program manager at Microsoft, noted in September 2014, "Getting access to data is something data scientists strive for. But all these devices are independent, and there's no way for anybody to aggregate that data together." IoT technology offers automated mechanisms for pulling machine data into data warehouses or Hadoop clusters and other big data platforms for analysis.
Building and running the kinds of big data analytics applications typically required with IoT data isn't a simple task, though. If your organization is looking to make sense of the data it collects from the Internet of Things, check out the expert insights, user stories and other resources in this IoT analytics Essential Guide.
1The IoT and data analytics-
Taking stock of the possibilities and perils of IoT analytics
In a nutshell, the Internet of Things refers to devices other than computers that are connected to the Internet and can send and receive data. The term has been around for more than 15 years, though it only began gaining wide currency more recently. Still, many IT, business intelligence and analytics managers have stopped asking, "What is the Internet of Things?" Instead, they've started asking, "What is the business value of the data generated by the IoT? And what do we need to do to realize that value?" The articles in this section explore the potential benefits and challenges of efforts to analyze all that data, and take a look at the future of IoT projects in the enterprise.
Companies find embracing IoT data requires architectural changes
As organizations turn to IoT data analytics, often they're finding that they must first upgrade and expand portions of their IT architectures Continue Reading
Manufacturers have head start on IoT technologies
Manufacturers have been connecting devices for some time – but they haven't always tapped into what's now considered IoT data. Here are some lessons from those who have. Continue Reading
Uncovering the business value of IoT technology
The Internet of Things has some high expectations to live up to -- and many organizations are asking how they can benefit from investments in IoT applications and tools. That's where effective data analytics comes in. Continue Reading
IoT technology and analytics: Hype vs. reality
The Internet of Things can produce an immense amount of data that can capture new insights into customers and internal operations -- but first, companies have to be ready to take advantage of IoT data. Continue Reading
To get the most out of your big data, think wide, too
Data coming into an organization from the Web and any number of IoT devices must be integrated and analyzed in a coherent and coordinated fashion, according to consultant David A. Teich. Continue Reading
IDC analysts: Internet of Things projects to take off
IoT efforts were the hot topic for IDC analysts at a 2014 conference. SearchBusinessAnalytics editors discuss the Internet of Things movement in this edition of our Talking Data podcast. Continue Reading
Internet of Things and customer data: The future is now
Previously, companies had to rely on focus groups and surveys to get a glimpse of customer sentiment and preferences. The IoT is changing that, says marketing consultant Steve Robins. Continue Reading
IoT is a big deal -- but demands on companies are also big
Manufacturers must approach Internet of Things applications responsibly, ensuring that they're getting value from IoT deployments -- not just jumping on the bandwagon of a new trend. Continue Reading
An Internet of Things primer
Still confused about exactly what the Internet of Things is? Get caught up with this quick reference article on what the IoT does and how it works. Continue Reading
2IoT analytics user stories-
Real-world insights from managers of Internet of Things projects
Internet of Things devices can open a whole new world of data for organizations -- for example, sensors can be used to proactively monitor and maintain pipelines and network loads, which can help avoid accidents and outages. Understanding IoT-produced data requires more than just launching a Hadoop data lake and calling it a day, however. Check out the user stories in this section to learn from those who've harnessed the power of the IoT and big data analytics tools to make their organizations more efficient and effective.
IoT data collection vs. consumer privacy
Capturing and analyzing Internet of Things data is easier said than done – organizations also need to consider consumer privacy laws. Continue Reading
IoT projects hindered by shortage of data scientists
Internet of Things data is being collected by companies of all sizes – but the pool of IT professionals with the know-how to tap into all this data is limited. Continue Reading
Data from IoT devices can offer operational analytics edge
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is installing sensors to proactively monitor and manage its natural gas pipelines. But there's more to the process than throwing technology at it. Continue Reading
IoT applications put machine data to good use
Two organizations are using data provided by Internet of Things technology to help improve operational efficiency, for vastly different purposes. Continue Reading
Sensor data analytics keeps maritime company on course
Engineering Software Reliability Group offers advice for other organizations hoping to utilize sensor data. First, have a clear business problem that can be solved with the data. Second, hire the right people. Continue Reading
Nonprofit group optimizes farm irrigation via weather analytics
The Flint River Partnership is using sensor data from weather stations and information from other sources to generate weather forecasts for farmers in Georgia. Continue Reading
Stream processing tools tackle incoming data in real time
Experts say the increasing adoption of data science techniques -- and of applications like IoT analytics -- will lead to a need for more stream processing capabilities. Continue Reading
Don't dive in: The importance of a data lake architecture strategy
IT leaders from three companies share what they learned after launching Hadoop data lakes to support various analytics applications, including analysis of IoT data. Continue Reading
Data integration strategy starts with getting a handle on information
Ever-increasing data volumes -- driven by the growth of big data and use of IoT devices -- require data integration teams to have a solid understanding of the available information. Continue Reading
Staff Pick: The Rising Need for Analytics Accuracy
Learn how LinkedIn overcame analytics bottlenecks, 3 data modeling flaws that cripple data science projects, and common roadblocks of advancing data science teams and hiring data pros.
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3Videos-
Internet of Things videos
The Internet of Things can provide a treasure trove of data to organizations -- but turning it into real business gold can be challenging. Watch as TechTarget editors and expert analysts discuss and explain trends, projects and best practices related to Internet of Things analytics and data management in the videos below.
Internet of Things moves out of the hype cycle
The Internet of Things has transitioned from marketing term to valuable technology. TechTarget's David Essex takes a look at the IoT's journey thus far, and its future, in this BizApps Today video report.
Finding value in IoT analytics: early for some, not for others
In another BizApps Today episode, SearchBusinessAnalytics editor Ed Burns says businesses that involve industrial equipment and other machinery may be best positioned to reap IoT benefits now.
How sensor data, other big data technologies help enterprises innovate
Jill Dyché, a BI and data warehousing consultant, explains how big data initiatives like collecting sensor data from package-delivery trucks can help reduce costs and improve efficiencies.
Industrial group looks to help companies navigate the IoT
The Industrial Internet Consortium, a group founded by General Electric, AT&T, IBM, Intel and Cisco, aims to learn how industrial organizations can unlock the business value behind the Internet of Things.
Internet of Things application helps Ashok Leyland keep things moving
Ashok Leyland, a commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, has turned to an SAP HANA-based IoT analytics system to manage its vehicle fleet. Find out how the tool has helped the company reduce costs.
4Glossary-
Internet of Things, defined
Take the next step to understanding the Internet of Things by reviewing this list of relevant terminology.
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