Internet of Everything

Internet Of Everything (IoE) has been one of the trending topics lately, and it’s here, IoE is the upcoming most innovative and Ubiquitous technology advancement which is going to make networked connections more relevant and valuable than ever before. Turning information into action creates new capabilities, richer experiences, and unprecedented economic opportunities for businesses, individuals, and countries. 

Technically, IoE refers to billions of devices and consumer products connected to the internet in an intelligent networked environment with expanded digital features. 

It is basically a philosophy in which our technology future is composed of different types of appliances, devices, and things connected to the global internet. 
As of now, the internet connection is only restricted to phone/Tablets, PCs, and a handful of other devices but the idea behind IoE is that in the future, machines will become more intelligent and cognitive by having more access to data and expanded network opportunities. 

In simpler terms, IoE is the intelligent connection of people, processes, data, and things that will be transforming our world in such a way that there will be billions of connected devices having sensors to detect, measure and access their status all of which will be connected over a public or private network built over standard protocols like TCP/IP. 

So how is the; Internet of Everything any different from the Internet of Things? 

Well, the difference is the intelligent connection. IoT is mostly about physical devices and objects communicating with each other, but IoE brings with it network intelligence to bind all these concepts together into a cohesive system. 

IoT has been limited to only machines thus achieving Machine Machine Communication but IoE brings together people, processes, data, and things and adds them into the network therefore not just phones/tablets and PCs but people. Health Fitness bands, Coffee pots, and Marine Container’s all become a Node in an intelligent network communicating with each other. The more expansive IoE concepts include, besides M2M communication, M2P, and technology-assisted P2P communication. 

The IoE Economy will profoundly affect four major Aspects of our lives: 

• People: People will be connected to the internet in more relevant ways and will be generating data and interacting with devices not only through Mobile’s/Tablet’s, PC’s, and Social networks but also through Sensors placed on human skins or sewn into clothing which will provide a person’s vital signs. In this way, people will themselves becomes Nodes on the internet. 
  A good example is Nike’s wearable fitness band’s which read a person’s vital signs and sports apparel and gears embedded with chips that track the performance of Athletes.  
• Things: Things and physical items such as sensors, industry devices, consumer products, and enterprise assets will be connected to the internet or to each other, also fetching information from their surroundings, will be more context-aware, more cognitive, more intelligent, often so-called the internet of things. 

As of 1984, only 1000 devices were connected to the internet which increased to about 1 million in 1992 and shot across 10 Billion in 2010, and as Cisco predicts there will be around 50 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020. These devices will be fetching data from their environment internally or externally and sending it back to the server for analyzing and making much more intelligent decisions.

• Data: Rather than simply collecting Raw data, these connected devices will be sending higher-level, more processed data back to respective servers for faster evaluation or more intelligent decision-making. 

Here the data is more about insightful information and action plan than just a random chunk. Figuring out a way to decipher the right flow of information is the key to making the best use of Big Data and as the types of data and sources increase, in order to draw useful insight there will be a need to classify information and analyze it. 

• Process: With the equivalent of the IOE process, the right information will be delivered to the right person at the right time in an appropriate way. 
  Technology-based Businesses will be relying on data to make further decisions and advance their workflow processes and strategies, and will be therefore competing to leverage the data faster than their competitors for agile and faster decision-making. 

General Electrics predicts that IoE can add 15 trillion dollars to the Global Domestic Product while Cisco estimates 19 trillion in savings and profits for companies that can leverage IoE. But as the number of devices connected to the internet increase and therefore collect more data, privacy is put at risk which increases security concerns, but as these devices grow more intelligent, hopes are that the device and network will grow knowledgeable enough to detect, stop and prevent any harmful threats. IoE is here and is inevitable, we should embrace ourselves to adapt our lives to the changes that it brings with it.

IOE has the potential to manage different fields, several industry verticals are accepting IOE to speed up their daily operations.

Some of the real-life examples of IOE:

1. Manufacturing sector: In the manufacturing sector LOE is act as a developing sensor across production machinery and equipment. These sensor help to detect physical damage  i.e. breakdown erosion in the machinery and calculate the financial loss due to damage. The sensor sends the notification and help companies in preemptive repairs where the decision can be taken before the situation is critical according to the maintenance of the equipment.

2. Public sector: In the public sector. IOE enables medical professionals to provide medical services at a faster pace. This include  generating medical report, getting real time update on a patients health response to certain medications.

3. Wearable device: Wearable devices like smart watches, smart clothing, fitness band, shoes etc., can offer benefit, to people using there  products.

4. Municipality system: Municipality system can develop smart meters to check units of electricity and water usages.

5. Retail industry: Now a days, the retail industry has a great online presence. They can be make independent website, mobile application and social media handle to increase profit.

6. Logistics industry: several logistics, supply chain, and delivery companies using IOE to optimize there delivery operations. Blockchain-based technologies, sensors and smart devices on trucks and ships are widely used.

7. Agriculture sector: IOE can be used in the agriculture sector to monitor crop growth, soil moisture levels, and weather conditions. This information can help farmers make better decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest management, leading to increased crop yields and profits.

8. Smart homes: IOE can be used to create smart homes, where various household appliances and devices are connected to the internet. This allows for remote control and automation of devices, making homes more convenient and energy-efficient.

9.Transportation: IOE can be used in transportation systems to monitor traffic flow, optimize routes, and improve safety. This includes the use of smart traffic lights, GPS tracking, and driver monitoring systems.

10. Energy management: IOE can be used in energy management systems to monitor energy usage and optimize energy consumption. This can include the use of smart thermostats, energy-efficient lighting, and solar panels.

11. Education: IOE can be used in education to create smart classrooms and personalized learning experiences for students. This includes the use of interactive whiteboards, digital textbooks, and learning analytics.

12. Sports and entertainment: IOE can be used in sports and entertainment to enhance the fan experience. This includes the use of interactive stadium displays, mobile apps for ticketing and concessions, and virtual reality experiences.

13. Financial services: IOE can be used in financial services to improve customer service and reduce costs. This includes the use of chatbots, mobile banking apps, and fraud detection systems.

14. Environmental monitoring: IOE can be used to monitor environmental conditions such as air quality, water quality, and noise levels. This information can be used to make decisions about environmental management and policy.

Advantages of IoE:

1. Increased efficiency: IoE can improve efficiency in various industries by automating processes, optimizing workflows, and reducing errors.
2. Improved data collection and analysis: IoE devices can collect and analyze data from various sources, such as sensors, cameras, and other connected devices. This data can be used to make better decisions and improve business operations.
3. Enhanced customer experience: IoE can improve the customer experience by providing personalized and responsive services. For example, smart home devices can adjust temperature and lighting based on user preferences.
4. Improved safety and security: IoE devices can enhance safety and security in various industries, such as healthcare and transportation. For example, connected medical devices can monitor patient health and alert medical staff in case of an emergency.
5. New business opportunities: IoE can create new business opportunities by enabling companies to offer new products and services, such as smart home devices, wearables, and connected cars.
6. Cost savings: IoE can help companies save costs by optimizing resource usage and reducing waste. For example, in the manufacturing sector, IoE can enable predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
7. Real-time communication: IoE devices can facilitate real-time communication between people and machines, improving collaboration and productivity. For example, in the healthcare industry, IoE can enable remote patient monitoring and telemedicine consultations.
8. Improved sustainability: IoE can help companies reduce their environmental impact by optimizing energy usage, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable practices. For example, IoE devices can monitor energy usage in buildings and adjust heating and cooling systems to reduce energy consumption.
9. Greater flexibility: IoE can enable greater flexibility in work arrangements, such as remote work and flexible scheduling. This can improve work-life balance and attract top talent.
10. Improved supply chain management: IoE can improve supply chain management by enabling real-time tracking of goods and optimizing delivery routes. This can reduce transportation costs and improve customer satisfaction.
11. Increased innovation: IoE can foster innovation by enabling the development of new products and services that were previously not possible. For example, IoE can enable the development of autonomous vehicles and smart cities.
12. Enhanced quality of life: IoE can enhance the quality of life by improving access to healthcare, education, and other essential services. For example, IoE devices can enable remote learning and telemedicine consultations in rural areas.

Disadvantages of IoE:

1. Security risks: IoE devices are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in IoE devices to gain access to sensitive information or cause harm.
2. Privacy concerns: IoE devices can collect and transmit large amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy and data protection.
3. Interoperability challenges: IoE devices from different manufacturers may use different protocols and standards, making it difficult to integrate and manage multiple devices.
4. Technical challenges: IoE requires complex and sophisticated technology, which can be difficult to develop and implement. Maintenance and upgrades can also be challenging.
5. Cost: IoE devices and infrastructure can be expensive to purchase and maintain, especially for small businesses and individuals.
6. Dependence on technology: As IoE becomes more integrated into our daily lives, we may become overly dependent on technology, leading to potential issues if the technology fails or malfunctions.
7. Compatibility issues: IoE devices may not be compatible with older technologies or devices, creating challenges for individuals and businesses trying to integrate new and old technologies.
8. Ethical concerns: The widespread use of IoE devices raises ethical concerns about how data is collected, used, and shared. There are also concerns about the potential for IoE to perpetuate existing biases and discrimination.
9. Environmental impact: The production and disposal of IoE devices and infrastructure can have a negative impact on the environment, contributing to e-waste and increasing carbon emissions.
10. Health risks: There are concerns about the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by IoE devices.
11. Legal challenges: The use of IoE devices raises legal challenges around issues such as data ownership, liability, and accountability in the event of a data breach or other security incident.
12. Complexity: IoE systems can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise to design, implement, and manage. This can make it difficult for small businesses or individuals to adopt IoE technology.

These are just a few advantages and disadvantages of IoE. While IoE offers many benefits, it also poses various challenges and risks that need to be addressed for successful implementation.