A fully interactive and data rich world seems just over the horizon. We’ve been hearing about the coming Internet of Things or ‘IoT’ revolution for some time now.
Take-up in some of Australia’s biggest sectors is gaining momentum. For electrical contractors, the current rate of change and innovation presents challenges to match the potential rewards. With new customer service and business opportunities coming online, streamlining and efficiency practices may soon dominate the working landscape.
In short, IoT is about connectivity and data sharing between assorted ‘things’, including, PCs, tablets, and phones, but we aren’t stopping there. Why not a thermostat? Or a door lock? How about a fridge, a freezer, and an indoor pool heater? Almost anything you can think of, both inside and outside the home, could soon be sending information to you and other ‘things’ over the internet.
Running late from work? An app on your phone or tablet will allow you to pre-heat the oven and switch on the porch light. Imagine a dishwasher that predicts its own break down, orders a replacement part, and books a service technician. Voltimum recently reported on a smart bed, which monitors sleep patterns and wakes you at the best possible time. Not to mention the future of smart lighting; the opportunities for contractors in this area appear to be limitless.
A recent Gartner report predicts the number of connected devices to jump from just under 5 billion this year, to 25 billion worldwide in 2020. With Australia’s population set to grow steadily, new housing and apartments are being planned in major cities. IoT ‘smart homes’ may soon become the standard installation. Although the market for installers in this sector looks set to explode, it's not just residential opportunities that exist for contractors into the future.
Sensors deployed through a factory complex, for example, can relay information directly to a line manager when a component of the system begins to fail. Pre-emptively warning the operator of an impending break down, IoT connectivity will allow for accurate and instant diagnosis in complex operations.
A fault which once took a day to identify, diagnose and repair, may now be a task performed in minutes. Less time spent diagnosing faults, means service technicians spend less time on site.
IoT opens the door for more businesses to adopt predictive maintenance practices, avoiding costly breakdowns and unnecessary scheduled testing. This change of focus may have a dramatic effect on contractor duties and customer expectations in the not too distant future.
Strategy Analytics’ recent announcement that 30% of businesses worldwide have begun to roll out IoT connectivity, highlights the potential growth rate in the market. Despite much of the technology still considered to be in its infancy, some real world examples have shown that opportunities exist for those able to adapt to the new technology early.
Software giant SAP began working with Fire and Rescue NSW last year, with plans to develop a disaster prediction system in the future.
Microsoft in partnership with KUKA has 60,000 connected devices and robots building car bodies without downtime.
Health and transport, two of Australia’s largest sectors, are currently exploring the many cost saving and data collection possibilities that IoT presents. Mining giant Rio Tinto already owns and operates the world’s largest fleet of autonomous vehicles. Technology currently being developed includes sensors built into bridges to monitor structural integrity, and 'smart roads' to monitor traffic flows and surface conditions.
As new products embracing the IoT age come online, manufacturers will be looking for trained installers and technicians to work with their products and deliver them to consumers. As with all new industry developments, staying ahead of the curve and following future trends is vital to remaining relevant in the marketplace. The ability to adapt to the future working landscape depends on education and awareness. The Voltimum newsletter is a great place to start, but the challenges and opportunities that IoT brings may have many contractors searching for more answers.
- Is your company keeping an eye on the developing technology?
- Is your company communicating with manufacturers?
- Is your company prepared for the potential shift in maintenance practices?
- These are the types of questions that contractors may soon be asking.
- Will you be one of them?
This article has been written by freelance journalist Damien Whyte
