The Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere and goes largely unnoticed by the majority of people. It’s composed of billions of devices that are connected to one another and to other software systems via the internet. It’s likely that you currently use devices that are part of the IoT. For example, if you have a thermostat or a security system that you can control with an app on your phone, you’re seeing the IoT in action. But the application of these devices extends far past the use of individual consumers.
One instance is self-driving semi-trucks. Another example is cities using devices to automatically gather information about their inhabitants to help make management decisions. It turns out that when these types of devices work in unison with cloud ERP systems, they also provide unique, advantageous benefits for businesses. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits gained from this partnership of technology.
Automatic data gathering and visualization
Many eCommerce systems automatically gather data about transactions and upload that data into a database. In-person businesses, on the other hand, may require an employee to manually record and input data based on their transactions. There is a growing number of devices that will connect to a database and automatically load this information in real-time at checkout. Pair this with a stats dashboard and you have real-time, automatic visualizations from all physical transactions. This data could even come from multiple store locations at the same time.
Improved inventory management
Scales, scanners, forklifts, and many other tools used to manage inventory have IoT versions. The example given above about tracking transactional data is also applicable to internal inventory management. Using IoT devices for weighing, scanning, or positionally tracking data will automatically upload to databases. This data provides information to ERP systems which can then generate reports about inventory at the touch of a button.
Optimizing business operations
Using devices and software to automatically perform tasks at your business increases efficiency in multiple ways. First, it frees up your employees to focus on higher-level concepts and tasks that require human interaction. Second, devices and software that utilize the IoT are less error-prone than humans, limiting the risk of clerical errors and other common problems. Lastly, the wealth of information you can gather is greater and can provide valuable insights on where your company needs to make improvements.
If you are curious about cloud ERP systems and business automation, contact us. Premier Computing has been implementing advanced business solutions for companies since 1952.
