How Can You Use the Internet of Things to Simplify Your Business and Save More Money?
What if you rushed out of your house and forgot to turn off the lights? You only remember this while stuck in traffic far from home. That thought would certainly preoccupy you…
But what if this happened and you simply smiled, pulled out your smartphone, and with the press of a button, turned off all the lights in your home—then went back to work with a smile? No doubt, that’s a comforting scenario.
This is a simple example of a technology that has increasingly become part of our personal and public lives. A technology that enables humans—or even objects—to interact with one another over the internet using specific data to serve a common interest, all while reducing costs. This technology is what we now call the Internet of Things (IoT). It represents the new generation of the internet.
But what exactly is IoT, and why is it important for companies or communities that use it?
What Is the Internet of Things?
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defined IoT through its “Global Standards Initiative on Internet of Things” as:
“A global infrastructure for the information society, enabling advanced services by interconnecting (physical and virtual) things based on existing and evolving interoperable information and communication technologies.”
In simpler terms, IoT is the connection of “things” to each other through the internet. These things communicate with each other, exchanging specific data to perform certain services based on preprogrammed logic.
The term “things” refers to anything related to this interconnected system: machines, vehicles, washing machines, furniture, even humans or other devices. These interactions have proven highly beneficial. As technology evolves, humans are increasingly required to use it, while it also becomes more humanized, responding to human needs, ambitions, and desires.
How Do IoT Devices Work?
This is a purely technical and software-based field. One of the biggest enablers of IoT has been smartphones and their connection to the internet.
Let’s consider a simple example to better understand IoT. Take Uber, a company that allows smartphone users to request a driver and a car for transportation. Uber’s app, available on both iOS and Android, even has an Arabic version for users in various Arab countries. The user can request a car, track its location, see its color and license plate, and receive real-time updates on the driver’s ETA—all through the internet.
This technology enables objects to “talk” to one another using specific data protocols. Companies can then continuously refine and improve this communication to keep up with modern demands. Another example of IoT is Google Glass and similar devices.
IoT in Industry
While IoT adoption in much of the Arab world still lags behind more developed countries, its spread is inevitable—especially with the rise of smartphone users, which exceeded 304 million in early 2019, according to We Are Social & Hootsuite.
According to Gartner, the number of IoT-connected devices worldwide was expected to reach 20.4 billion by 2020. Meanwhile, Juniper Research valued the IoT market at $1.7 trillion.
This massive growth has driven IoT’s entry into the industrial sector. What enabled this breakthrough was the ability to analyze Big Data using AI algorithms, which can now be integrated with every machine and part in a factory. Human roles have shifted to monitoring, maintenance, efficiency improvement, and strategic direction.
IoT is also used for installing alarms and safety systems, managing dashboards for communication and data analysis, and automating precision-driven industrial tasks.
IoT: A Technology That Attracts Giants
IoT has moved beyond personal or household use—many large companies, like Google and Amazon, use it for operations, employee management, and customer services.
Many governments also use IoT for greater operational efficiency and lower costs. One example is Hong Kong Airport, which uses IoT for fully automated baggage tracking, shipping, and handling—without human intervention.
IoT investment has also grown significantly. According to IDC, spending on IoT in the Middle East and Africa increased by 15% in 2019 and is expected to reach $17.63 billion by 2023.
The top four IoT-spending countries in the region are:
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South Africa: $1.9 billion
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Saudi Arabia: $1.49 billion
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Turkey: $1.24 billion
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UAE: $0.65 billion
Together, these countries represent 62% of total IoT spending in the region.
Have You Considered Using IoT?
So, if you own a company—no matter its size—have you ever thought about developing it by adopting Internet of Things solutions? IoT can simplify administrative and organizational tasks while helping you save more money.
