The IoT, Big Data and The New IP: it’s all connected

Marcus Jewell, vice president, EMEA, Brocade

The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the way we do business. Connected devices have exploded into every aspect of business and now decision makers are wondering how they can use them to best transform their corporation.

It all starts with understanding the IoT’s relationship with Big Data. We know that cloud computing is becoming the norm for businesses and consumers alike, meaning that the amount of data that organisations have to store, analyse and understand has, and continues to, increase exponentially. Business data worldwide alone, across all companies, doubles every 1.2 years. However, what we need to appreciate is that the IoT will also add further weight to these already-burgeoning data demands, says Marcus Jewell, vice president, EMEA, Brocade.

According to Gartner, we can expect more than twenty billion devices to connect to the internet within the next four years. This colossal figure reflects the fact that technology gurus and businesses are beginning to understand how valuable the data generated by connected devices can be. Take smart warehouses for example. Thanks to the IoT, warehouses can now automatically alert factories when supplies are low and stocks need replenishing.

Sensors can track customer space of a retail floor throughout the day with increasing levels of accuracy. Key insights derived from device data are helping businesses to save money and become more efficient. However, all of these processes rely on analysing and storing immense amounts of data, putting tremendous strain on company networks.

Here lies a problem. Many businesses are putting themselves at a disadvantage by still using legacy networks that were designed decades ago. Their networks were never planned with the IoT in mind, nor did engineers ever expect these networks to have to cope with technologies like cloud, social or mobile.

So when decision makers consider what they need to do in order to take true advantage of the IoT, their first priority should be looking at modernising their networks so they can actually handle the huge quantities of data generated by connected devices. Attempting to rely on outdated network infrastructures will hold their businesses back and potentially see themselves fall behind savvier competitors.

Modernising networks: how do businesses make ‘the next step’?

Companies looking to begin modernising now and make the most of the IoT need to adopt a New IP approach to their data centre networks. The New IP is the industry term for the next generation to networking. The New IP is a step above legacy networking systems, with a much greater ceiling for adapting to modern technology developments. It is software-enabled, user-centric and based on open standards.

Offering a new perspective on IP networking, The New IP is based on programmable networks rather than traditional hardware-led solutions. It helps IT departments provide workers with an agile and scalable network that can deliver data and applications to any device at any time, free from the constraints of limited expansion and flexibility. Perfect for handling big data.

That being said, organisations who do decide to make the leap into The New IP should exercise patience. The transition needs to be seen as an iterative process. Successful implementation will be based on adapting to technologies as they mature. IT staff will need to make the changes as and when they are required in order to future-proof their IT infrastructure. In other words, organisations need to use The New IP to move with the technology.

Where has The New IP come from?

Some business leaders may be wondering why they hadn’t considered The New IP earlier. It is a recently understood concept for many networking managers. However, those that understand it know that The New IP holds the key to unlocking the IoTs potential. The New IP’s superior networking potential will be the catalyst for a wealth of new technologies – decision makers would be wise to introduce it now. Not only would it allow their organisation to fulfil the IoTs potential as a transformative tool for business, but cloud, social and mobile too. The New IP will be the solid foundation businesses need to adapt and evolve their infrastructure for years to come.

The author of this blog is Marcus Jewell, vice president, EMEA, Brocade

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_ OR @jcIoTnow

RECENT ARTICLES

Panasonic and Jasmy unveil Web3 Platform for IoT data control

Posted on: March 28, 2024

Panasonic has joined forces with Jasmy (JASMY) blockchain to introduce a Web3 platform that will facilitate the connection of personal data on the Internet of Things (IoT). The collaboration between the Japanese-based blockchain and Panasonic Advanced Technology was initiated in February, but the official announcement was made on March 26.

Read more

Driving connected personalised user experiences with Generative AI

Posted on: March 27, 2024

As the world continues to rapidly move towards digitalisation, customer expectations are also on the rise. Around the globe, telcos are grappling with meeting these expectations. As well as ensuring connectivity in a secure, seamless, and consistent manner 24/7, to compete and differentiate, operators now need to provide personalised experiences that are as unique as

Read more
FEATURED IoT STORIES

What is IoT? A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on: April 5, 2023

What is IoT? IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the connection of everyday objects, or “things,” to the internet, allowing them to collect, transmit, and share data. This interconnected network of devices transforms previously “dumb” objects, such as toasters or security cameras, into smart devices that can interact with each other and their

Read more

The IoT Adoption Boom – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on: September 28, 2022

In an age when we seem to go through technology boom after technology boom, it’s hard to imagine one sticking out. However, IoT adoption, or the Internet of Things adoption, is leading the charge to dominate the next decade’s discussion around business IT. Below, we’ll discuss the current boom, what’s driving it, where it’s going,

Read more

9 IoT applications that will change everything

Posted on: September 1, 2021

Whether you are a future-minded CEO, tech-driven CEO or IT leader, you’ve come across the term IoT before. It’s often used alongside superlatives regarding how it will revolutionize the way you work, play, and live. But is it just another buzzword, or is it the as-promised technological holy grail? The truth is that Internet of

Read more

Which IoT Platform 2021? IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide

Posted on: August 30, 2021

There are several different parts in a complete IoT solution, all of which must work together to get the result needed, write IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide – Which IoT Platform 2021? authors Robin Duke-Woolley, the CEO and Bill Ingle, a senior analyst, at Beecham Research. Figure 1 shows these parts and, although not all

Read more

CAT-M1 vs NB-IoT – examining the real differences

Posted on: June 21, 2021

As industry players look to provide the next generation of IoT connectivity, two different standards have emerged under release 13 of 3GPP – CAT-M1 and NB-IoT.

Read more

IoT and home automation: What does the future hold?

Posted on: June 10, 2020

Once a dream, home automation using iot is slowly but steadily becoming a part of daily lives around the world. In fact, it is believed that the global market for smart home automation will reach $40 billion by 2020.

Read more

5 challenges still facing the Internet of Things

Posted on: June 3, 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) has quickly become a huge part of how people live, communicate and do business. All around the world, web-enabled devices are turning our world into a more switched-on place to live.

Read more