Revolutionizing Everyday Life: How The Internet Of Things Is Connecting Our World In Extraordinary Ways
The internet has taken over every aspect of our lives in the last 20 years. Various phenomena, from the economy to everyday life, are now directly linked to the internet.
However, when we think about the general structure of the internet and how it is accessible, first of all, computers and devices that outweigh the technological aspects such as smartphones and tablets come to life.
When we expand this general perception and think that other physical objects used for many different purposes also have internet connections, we come across the concept of internet of things.
So, what is the internet of things (IoT)? How does this technology work? In which areas is it used? What advantages and disadvantages does it have?
What Is The Internet Of Things?
The Internet of Things or IoT is defined as a worldwide network of uniquely addressable objects created among themselves, and the objects in this network communicating with each other with a specific protocol.
It is also possible to define it as a system of devices that communicate with each other and create a smart network by connecting and sharing information with various communication protocols.
The camera system installed by about 15 academics at Cambridge University in 1991 to see the coffee machine was an eye-opening application when evaluated under the conditions of the day.
The system, used until 2001, sent the image of the coffee machine to computer screens three times a minute. It took its place in history as the first example of the concept of “internet of things” because it is online and in real time.
In 1999, Kevin Ashton listed the benefits to the firm of implementing RFID technology for P&G and suggested its use. The proposed system; It was a global system standard based on radio waves and sensors that gave rise to the concept of “internet of things”.
The Internet of Things finds its place in resources in the form of IoT. This abbreviation consists of the initials of the phrase Internet of Things in English. The IoT draws attention as it actually describes what this technology does.
This technology is based on the logic that the goods or objects we use in our daily life exchange data with each other over the internet connection.
The coordination of the objects within the scope with each other is one of the most distinctive features of this technology.
Objects that are part of the system collect data from other units with the help of the sensors on them. It transfers its data to other devices with systems such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
In this way, an internet-like network structure emerges. Some devices in the network also have the capacity to process the data they receive or transmit.
The technology that emerged with the IoT has been used more and more actively with each passing day, both in the field of industry and in order to meet personal needs.
Components Of Internet Of Things Systems?
IoT components refer to the elements necessary for the establishment of such structures. The five key components of IoT systems are:
Smart Devices And Sensors
Data exchange within the system is carried out thanks to the sensors in the devices. These parts enable the collection or detection of surrounding data.
Gateway
In order for the data in question to reach other devices, there must be a network established in between. Gateways enable this communication, regulate network availability and create the necessary security environment for the transaction with encryption methods.
Cloud Technology
The size of the data exchanged within the system can become very large after a point. In such cases, cloud technology steps in and makes it possible to use data. While data is uploaded to the cloud in real time, it is also pulled from the cloud by other devices.
The importance of cloud technology for the IoT is great for business as a kind of communication center. Because in this way, data transfer becomes more reliable and faster.
Analysis
This component allows the entire system or a single device to predict potential problems. In this way, you can take necessary precautions in a more practical way. It will also help to minimize the costs, errors and related breakdowns.
Advanced User Interface
Having easy-to-use interfaces of devices is one of the factors that helps the spread of the Internet of Things. Because, thanks to the devices controlled via simple and touch interfaces, that you can perform the most important operations in a short time with the least effort. This means saving in many aspects.
How The Internet Of Things (IoT) Works
The Internet of Things needs the components we listed above to work. The first stream of the working process is that the devices collect data from their environment with the help of sensors. The collected data is then transmitted to the cloud via the network.
Software already in the cloud can process the data and consequently take no action. Here lies the basis of the advantage provided by IoT applications. Because these systems can perform the necessary operations without the need for any human intervention through their qualifications, hardware and software.
At this point, the human factor is to make various arrangements and adjustments in order to ensure that the system performs the required operations without any problems. We can say that the adjustments can be easily carried out through the practical panels and interfaces of such devices.
Features And Importance Of IoT Technology
The IoT is a technology whose importance comes from its features. In other words, this system has become very important today thanks to its beneficial qualities. Because of this, IoT systems have reached a very wide area of ​​use, from industrial engineering to logistics.
This paved the way for many developments in these fields and, in general, the phenomenon of digital transformation. The features of the internet of things can be listed as follows:
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Connectivity that ensures coordinated operation of devices and systems;
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Thanks to this system, objects that make our life easier in many ways;
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Data crucial to decision making;
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Communication that prepares the environment for data transfer;
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Information resulting from the transferred data;
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Action based on knowledge;
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An ecosystem that creates a rich and complex information network among countless units.
Which Devices Are Connecting To Each Other?
When it comes to the IoT, it is wrong to understand that only devices are connected to the internet. The fact that RFID-like sensors and identifiers produce information with some devices is also included in this concept.
When objects are equipped with sensors and electronic circuits, they gain abilities to communicate with people and update their status information.
With the development of mobile networks and the internet, it became easier for these objects to communicate with people, and people had the chance to observe and control them from anywhere, anytime.
In addition, the transition to the IPv6 protocol has provided a serious improvement by removing a significant obstacle to the prevention of IP conflicts.
In addition to all its benefits, the Internet of Things will also cause some problems. The fact that we record our social life over the internet, thanks to devices connected to each other, will increase the amount of data that will emerge, and analyzing and processing this large data will become a difficult and complex task.
In addition, the confidentiality and security of these emerging data will also be an important issue.
In the coming years, we will enter a period in which interaction and the internet will enter into almost every object and different objects will act for common purposes.
In the meantime , we will see together how people will respond to this change physiologically, and IoT projects that will radically change our lives.
Where Are Internet of Things Applications Used?
IoT usage areas are spread over a wide range. So much so that, as there are types of industrial internet of things, this technology can also be used in daily life for completely individual purposes. Now let’s take a closer look at where this technology is applied.
Internet Of Things In Daily Life
Even if we are not aware of it, our daily life is full of examples of the internet of things. To be clear, smart thermostats, which keep the temperature of the houses at the ideal level, use this technology. Smart home applications are becoming more and more widespread based on such applications.
Similarly, smart cities and the internet of things are two concepts that are in contact with each other. Because waste management systems, which are an important part of smart city systems, are an extension of the IoT technology.
Of course, the use of the Internet of Things in daily life is not limited to these. Vehicle tracking adapters, health monitors, security systems with sensors, even game consoles benefit from this technology in different dimensions.
Internet Of Things In Production
The clearest example that we can give you about the internet of things in production is in the management of the facilities where such processes are carried out.
You can easily automate many steps in management processes with this technology. This not only enables the machines to work more efficiently, but also helps to consume less energy, and reduce costs.
Since this technology can monitor and analyze every moment of the production process in detail, it also significantly increases the quality of the final product.
Because in this way, you can detect the disruptions experienced in the process easily. You can also do necessary adjustments and corrections as soon as possible.
IoT In Transportation
The IoT also makes logistics management processes much more efficient. With such systems, you can easily manage as well as monitor the entire supply chain. Because in this way, it is possible to monitor where and in what condition the vehicle with any goods is in at that time.
In addition, it is possible to take action to prevent possible problems when necessary. In other words, the Internet of Things is a very useful technology in terms of logistics.
IoT In Logistics
The same applies to warehouse management. With the automation systems built on this technology, you can easily keep many details such as the current occupancy rate of the warehouses under surveillance.
When we approach the subject in terms of asset management, we can say that the IoT is extremely effective in tracking company fleets.
IoT In The Energy Sector
We can divide the energy sector into two parts, such as generation and distribution. In addition to making production processes more effective and efficient, the Internet of Things also makes it possible to tailor distribution processes. Thus, it ensures production of energy more economically on a macro scale.
IoT In Marketing
Internet of Things and marketing are two topics that you can consider together. Because this technology is very functional for the establishment of structures called marketing automation.
Thanks to this system, you can track where, when, how and to whom a company sells its products.
In the light of the data provided by this follow-up, people in managerial positions have the opportunity to make more effective decisions about traditional or digital marketing activities. This, in turn, raises the level of success of the company in general.
In addition, these systems also make it possible to automate after-sales processes. Thus, the conversion process of a potential customer into a loyal customer is controlled from the first point to the last.
In Summary - The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using The Internet Of Things?
This technology “Internet of Things” brings many benefits, that we can list as follows:
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Increases resource and asset efficiency;
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Reduces the layout workload on people;
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Enables more effective management of all types of operations;
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Provides a lot of data to use in the business development processes;
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Allocates the necessary conditions and information for a more complete execution of marketing and customer relationship management (CRM);
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Increases the opportunity to evaluate possible commercial opportunities.
Finally, let’s approach the issue from the negative side. The disadvantages of the Internet of Things are:
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Incompatibility problems may arise in cases where there is no standardization in the equipment used;
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Systems that are not well encrypted can introduce security vulnerabilities;
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When such complex structures are not designed in detail, there is always a risk of confusion in the execution processes.
