The Internet of Things: Transforming Industries from Agriculture to Healthcare Worldwide
The Internet of Things (IoT) is already fully present and integrated into business processes and day to day activities across many sectors. Agriculture and healthcare are few of the many sectors that are experiencing a paradigm change due to IoT, increasing efficiency, productivity and decision making. In this blog, we will uncover how IoT is altering these industries and what it means for the future.
As such, in a nutshell, the Internet of Things pertains to the mesh of devices that are electronically interconnected and share information with each other for various purposes. Furthermore this gives way for smart operations that results in better outcomes by enabling processes to be real time monitored, analysed and automated. As we begin to explore the various sectors affected by IoT, it is evident that there are endless possibilities in its implementation.
The Internet of things has taken the world by a storm and the field of agriculture isn’t being left behind on this front. The concept of “smart farming” is been adopted at a faster pace, farmers are using sensors, drones and even GPS tracking devices to keep track of their crops, soil as well as the weather. These sensors placed in the fields will be able to communicate the moisture levels and the nutrients within the soil in real time allowing them to efficiently manage their irrigation and fertilization techniques. Such precision on the other hand not boosts the yield of the crops but conserves such elements to make for a more sustainable practice.
An example of smart farming, the usage of drones has increased in this field as a surveillance mechanism, these drones can monitor a vast piece of land in a matter of minutes allowing farmers to keep track of any possible infestations or pest attacks. Coupled with such surveillance is the information that is collected whereby farmers can make research based decisions that are more efficient.
There’s no doubt that IoT is developing the agricultural supply chain, specially nightmare scenarios where entreprises lose millions due to a lack of integration. Cutting edge sensors and technology allow tracking of manufactured goods from the word go, making the processes seamless enabling reduction of food shortage. Furthermore, this transparency proves to reinforce the consumer reliability as people are more concerned with the origins of goods.
Expanding into the medical side, IoT is positioned well to be a boon for improving both the operations and the service delivery. Devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and other similar wearable devices allow the individual to keep track of their heart rate, sleep and activity levels. Such devices are incredibly useful for the medical professionals as it allows them to receive accurate health information at the moment and hence, implement effective procedures.
In terms of streamlining procedures in hospitals, IoT is advancing service delivery through the utilization of internet-connected medical apparatus. For instance, smart beds with embedded sensors can record the number of times a patient turns in bed and their heartbeat, thus informing the doctors if there is a problem. Such strategies help to improve the safety of patients, while also increasing efficiency in the health care system.
In addition, telemedicine has also become popular owing to IoT technologies. This triad is beneficial as it allows patients to receive professional assistance from the comfort of their homes, which is especially beneficial for those who live far from clinics. Virtual health engagements not only save time for the patient and the doctor but also substantially decrease the burden on healthcare systems.
IoT is also significantly improving the management of chronic illness. For example, diabetic and heart patients are able to use their connected devices to manage their health on a constant basis. This forecasted initiation allows for preventive actions to be carried out on time, and that minimizes the number of patients visiting the hospital hence the lifestyle is enhanced.
Nevertheless, although IoT agricultural and healthcare applications are developed and the benefits feel evident, it is imperative to point out the adverse factors which come with the ingression of such systems. Information security and information privacy remain a serious matter because the devices are interrelated which exposes them to these threats. It’s very important to make sure that any sensitive data is kept confidential and all the systems in place are secured to avoid losing the confidence of the users.
Moreover, IoT also costs and needs training for implementation. Companies have to modify their systems and training is needed for the employees in order to be able to accommodate these changes. This shift would require some effort and investments which would be a challenge for small farmers or small medical facilities.
The growth of IoT technology brings endless possibilities, looking into the future, there is likely to be innovation in the fields of agriculture and healthcare, this would further stretch the edges of what humanity is able to achieve. In order to fully maximize the IoT opportunities, a collaboration between the technology and the final users is more than essential.
This all brings us to the conclusion that IoT is indeed revolutionizing industries to global, with the agriculture and the health care valued industries taking a head start. IoT gives way to more intelligent decisions, increased efficiency, and better quality of work, making the connected world much more sustainable. However, as we witness these shifts, all steps have to be taken to manage the change in such a way that these transformational tools and technologies have their benefits available for everyone.
