IOT is a term used to present a few related concepts and a new set of tools for the IT systems developer.

• Physical devices with intelligence, sensors, actuators and communications
• Physical devices that can talk with each other for the purpose of sharing data and control
• Physical devices that use a communications network to interact

There is expected to be about 25 BILLION such devices in use by 2020.

When combined with the capabilities we have in our smart phones to communicate with and control such devices, some very compelling applications are possible.

If you have not encountered it yet, you will. If it is not used in your workplace, you will still see it in the home.  Every appliance in the home plus the heating, lighting, security, etc. will be touched by IOT.

In manufacturing, IOT devices will be on the line giving managers visibility into production to the extent each widget can be “seen” as it is being made. Batch visibility will be replaced by unit visibility where it is appropriate. Intelligent manufacturing will change manufacturing.

In Healthcare, IOT will find it way into biosensors, medication dispensors, soap dispensors in hospitals and a host of other medical devices all on the network, all able to contribute data about their activity, all able to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Barcode and RFID will interact with this IOT ecosystem to provide a more complete picture and therefore, more value.