The IoT should actually be called the IoS, because, as we talked about in June, the whole idea isn’t about the things we use but about the services they offer. This idea was also discussed in detail by the Wall Street Journal early last week. Their piece discussed a number of examples to prove their point. When we think of Uber we don’t think of connected cars, rather we think of a smart service that provides rides as a benefit.
Sonos, another example they cite, considers themselves as one of the first Internet of Things companies. Initially they were about a single connected speaker, a tangible “thing.” Sure, they still make products, but what really sets the company apart is the services that their products provide. Their smart phone app allows consumers to “play, control and explore,” their favorite songs through the hardware they sell. It’s expanded to include playlists, mobile music, internet radio and even can allow you to let your friends know about the new songs you’re listening to through email and text.
It’s services that make Dickson an IoT company. Our connected DicksonOne units are the things that often get talked about by our customers, but it’s the services they provide that make them next generation. It’s the SaaS. It’s the cloud. It’s the wireless temperature monitoring. It’s the convenience of the text, phone and email based alarms. Sure, our touchscreens are unlike any available in the industry, but it’s the services they provide that simplify your life. That’s classic IoT.
An article from Forbes in 2014 discussed a number of applications where products could be used. While the services are discussed, they aren’t the feature. That’s not a surprise considering how much of a tech addled society we’ve become. We’re nomophobes. We’re step addicted. There have even been books published on iDisorder. We’ll continue to pine for the Internet of things as our tech addiction grows in intensity along with it.
One day, down the road, we may live like the Jetsons and have houses that’ll do everything for us. Until then we’ll have to be satisfied with the services that allow us to control our home’s temperature, talk to our shopping lists, and rock our babies to sleep. There are even apps available that can help kids do their math homework. It’s the Internet of Services, and it’s here now. We’d be misguided to think otherwise. We’re too smart for that.
