From Project to IoT Strategy

In Chaps. 6 and 7 , we saw what IoT applications can look like in practice and how to prepare for a use case with your own company. Most of you would probably agree with me when I say that IoT projects are not a flash in the pan. The first project—whether it was successful or not—is soon followed by another. You may now be thinking something like “Well, sure, I guess it’s like that for you as an IoT consultant, but things are a little different for us.” I’ll say two things about that: in my day-to-day work as a consultant and advisor, it’s important to me that projects I’m involved in are a success. I don’t want you to think that I buzz from project to project like a wasp in a beer garden (I’m much more comfortable with ants. That’s why my company is called digit-ANTS GmbH). From my perspective as a consultant and companion, however, I can of course keep a close eye on what is happening in the German economy with regard to IoT. Some have a lot of catching up to do; others are proactively leading the way. In any case, the companies are on the move. This brings me to the second part of my response: How will you get around integrating IoT-enabled devices and applications into your company and business model in the long term? There are people who have adopted a kind of defensiveness that reminds me a bit of old friends. Back in the day, they would say in a tone of conviction, “I don’t need a cell phone. What would I do with it?” Now they all have one, and a smart one at that, and they themselves have to smile about their former attitude.