A revolutionary change even across the 3 most ‘unlikely’ of sectors
How will sensors for IoT drive the future of remote working? Recent years have seen a rise in employees wishing to strike a better work-life balance, with solutions such as working from home policies being called into question. Working from home (WFH) certainly has it’s benefits; from being able to keep on top of those ‘life admin’ chores, saving money from commuting and hopefully for the more motivated amongst us – an opportunity for more Zzz’s and exercise.
The point being though – WFH was brought on faster than we could have ever expected, once the Covid-19 pandemic spread rapidly across our highly connected world. All businesses across every industry have been impacted by this global pandemic and are needing to find solutions to successfully navigate this ’new normal’.
The most promising technology solution is the internet of things (IoT); a system of interrelated devices, mechanical and digital machines with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. Sensors for IoT work in the context of a few specific industries that we may not believe could work from home.
Sensors for IoT in Manufacturing
Manufacturers surely need to be physically present to monitor machines, process and output? Actually, Sensors for IoT allow technicians to monitor and maintain the performance of equipment without requiring staff present at the location. The IoT sensors report on crucial updates including usage, condition and even the temperature of machines; providing real-time data to the employees who’s responsible.
Having the ability to detect, diagnose and troubleshoot equipment failure saves technicians from taking unnecessary trips to manufacturing site, saving businesses on time and money while increasing the employee’s WFH opportunity.
Sensors for IoT in Healthcare
Only 25% of UK medical and healthcare workers believe they could work at home, with three in ten (32%) of managers working from home, compared to just 21% of workers. By comparison, 73-78% of employees in IT, Finance, Media related industries are said to work from home. Sensors for IoT can remotely monitor the vital aspects of patients in hospital or at home. Therefore, virtual caregiving is now possible, with workers being able to make recommendations and diagnoses based on the data they receive
Health-tech experts and professionals forecast the expansion of IoT use for tele-health.
The University of Hong Kong are successful pioneers, using commercial AI and IoT for remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients. Hospitals across North America are also implementing remote patient monitoring solutions.
Sensors for IoT in Supply Chain
IoT sensors are an effective way to manage supply chain. We’re able to authenticate the location of goods at any time, track movement and delivery speed. Also, we can monitor storage conditions of raw materials, streamline the problematic movement of goods and locate goods in storage.
Using sensors for IoT in supply chain management provides reassurance to all stakeholders, early identification of issues through to real-time inventory visibility and shipping tracking. IoT also allows for easier supply and demand forecasting and higher management of quality (ensuring good are in optimal conditions).
All Workplaces of the Future Will Benefit from Sensors for IoT
Although some workplaces have a more ’natural’ ability to work remotely, with sensors for IoT all industries and workplaces will benefit. More employees will have the option to work from home which not only benefits their safety and work-life balance, but actually improves the quality and precision of their work too. For employers, benefits include reduced potential ’sick leave’, improvement to the quality of life for employees and happier customers due to the significantly improved and streamlined processes.
The IoT ultimately is – and will continue – allowing more teams to work efficiently and effectively while remote, improving business performance. IoT has been driving our new working revolution forward – is your business capitalising on this movement?