How Large IoT Applications Can Help Your Small Business

Where the Internet Of Things is concerned, small businesses can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. That’s because we tend to think of the IoT on two different levels: individual, where connected tools and gadgets can help with everyday convenience and lifestyle; and industry, where broader systems can help massive companies to function more smoothly. Indeed, it’s on these two levels that most of the headlines will be made. However, there’s no reason why some industry and individual-level IoT applications can’t also be used in smaller businesses.

Adoption of Cloud Computing Systems

In a way, cloud computing represents the function of the IoT better than any other type of technology or application. The idea that multiple devices can sync up to the same web-based storage system has huge implications for individuals and major offices alike. But it can also be helpful for your small business.

Indeed there are numerous reasons for small businesses to switch to the cloud, including lower storage costs, increased flexibility, and easier collaboration and integration. Perhaps most notably, cloud computing allows small businesses to automate things like accounting and human resources by linking up apps and systems. For instance, your payment processor can automatically feed new information into a cloud-based accounting software to generate your books for you!

Improving Delivery Operations

You may have read previously about how to save money with fleet tracking, and this is certainly something that a lot of major companies have started looking into for their shipping divisions. Odds are if you’re operating a small business you don’t have a whole shipping division to keep track of just yet.

However, a closer examination of fleet tracking functions reveals that the IoT can perform many functions for company vehicles, including tracking their locations (and those of the assets within them), monitoring driver performance, and even tracking engine diagnostics. These systems are fairly simple to put in place, and even if you only have one or two vehicles operating on behalf of your company, you have nothing to lose by gaining a more comprehensive picture of their performance.

Installing In-Store Beacons

Beacons are among those IoT applications that are only just starting to generate some buzz. Basically, beacons are Bluetooth-enabled sensors used to drive customer engagement. By contacting customers through related apps, they can alert those customers about the location of a product on the shelves or any sales that might be going on. They can even bring up a customer’s own purchasing history to use for a point of reference or to make a recommendation.

But for some reason people tend to assume that this technology only applies to massive retail chains (think Lowe’s or Target). While it’s true that a smaller business location might be better equipped to offer human assistance for customers, there’s no reason not to install beacons as well. Some customers simply prefer digital engagement, as it’s more like the convenience they’ve grown used to through online shopping.

Depending on the nature of your business there may be many more ways in which the IoT can be of assistance! But these specific examples should clear up the fact that there’s really no divide between individual or industry applications and those that might suit a small business.

Author: Charles Bell is a part-time freelance writer based out of Los Angeles who specializes in everything related to technology.