Internet of Things Foundation Critical to Enable Connected Products, Assets, and Supply Chains, According to New IDC PlanScape

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., July 20 – For manufacturers, the Internet of Things (IoT) is bringing the necessary capabilities for connected products, assets, and supply chains. Through IoT, manufacturers can leverage a combination of software, sensors, and IP-enabled connectivity to change products and processes. A new IDC PlanScape, The IoT Foundation for Connected Products, Assets and Supply Chains in Manufacturing (Doc #257113), offers practical guidance to help IT and business leaders in manufacturing justify investment in IoT and an IoT foundation for incremental improvements and transformation.

IDC Manufacturing Insights Practice Director Kimberly Knickle said, "Developing a roadmap for IoT and an IoT foundation will ensure that the investments satisfy manufacturers IT and business expectations. IT organizations can and should play an important role in an efficient and agile rollout of IoT across the various use cases in manufacturing."

The new IDC PlanScape offers a unique decision-making tool to help IT professionals plan the evolution of the IT operations architecture to virtualized networks. It helps to assure business value from technology by establishing a business case, identifying risk factors, and outlining critical success factors.

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IoT is an essential innovation accelerator for manufacturers. By implementing an IoT foundation, manufacturers have the opportunity to increase their real-time visibility into their own operations as well as into their customers' operations; from the analysis of that information, manufacturers can develop the insights they need to change how they generate revenue and profit, whether that's through more data-driven execution or new products and services. The new IDC PlanScape offers practical guidance to manufacturers on how to move forward with an IoT foundation, and answers the following key questions:

• Why is IoT and an IoT foundation an important investment for manufacturers?
• What are the key elements of an IoT foundation?
• Who are the key stakeholders that should be involved in an IoT foundation and IoT initiatives? What are their roles and responsibilities for promoting successful IoT projects?
• How can IT and non-IT leaders help accelerate investment in IoT for business value throughout their organization?

"We expect manufacturers to eventually weave IoT into many of their products and processes. Today, manufacturers should invest in providing the business with access to IoT technology elements they need to drive experimentation and increasing adoption. Sharing tools and technologies across the business will allow the investments and best practices to be shared more easily across departments and requirements," added Knickle.

According to IDC data, 56% of manufacturers in the United States are researching or piloting IoT for business benefits such as lowering operational costs, improving customer service and support, acquiring new customers, and increasing business process efficiencies. IDC asserts that manufacturers need to move forward with pilots and simultaneously develop an IoT foundation and roadmap. To help manufacturers employ the best approach to IoT and the IoT foundation for their business, IDC offers the following guidance:

• Identify Goals
• Take Inventory
• Set Priorities
• Educate and Engage Key Stakeholders
• Test Pilot

IDC asserts that it is absolutely critical for manufacturers to take an iterative view of their investments in IoT. There are immediate benefits that can be achieved by investing today, but manufacturers should also recognize that the market is still evolving and changing. Manufacturers must consider IoT an investment that requires frequent monitoring and modification. To do so, the new report offers manufacturers guidance on how to move forward with IoT successfully over the next 18 months.

To arrange a one-on-one briefing with Kimberly Knickle, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarah@attunecommunications.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact insights@idc.com; reporters should email sarah@attunecommunications.com.

About IDC PlanScape

IDC PlanScape reports help to assure business value is recognized from technology by developing a technology initiative that is aligned with business goals, scoped to succeed, and properly resourced. By helping technology leaders make the case for a technology initiative, recognize unique resource requirements, and identify risk factors, IDC PlanScapes mitigate the greatest risks associated with technology initiatives.

About IDC Manufacturing Insights

IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing asset intensive, brand oriented, technology oriented, and engineering oriented manufacturing industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-mi.com, email info@idc-mi.com, or call 508-988-7900. Visit the IDC Manufacturing Insights Community at http://idc-community.com/manufacturing.

Regions Covered:

United States

Topics Covered:

Internet of things, Networking and connectivity devices, Supply chain management applications, Technology buyer

Vertical Markets:

Manufacturing