Futures: The Internet of Things

Not only do information systems managers need to pursue proper theoretical grounding for their practice and consider both user and organisational issues, they need to consider the directions technology is taking and the impact on the delivery of IT services and the nature of work in the IT department. In this story we consider four technological directions which could significantly affect information systems management.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a scenario in which objects, animals or people are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. IoT has evolved from the convergence of wireless technologies, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and the Internet.

Question: Define the Internet of Things and provide some examples of the IoT. Describe current and predicted development of the Internet of Things (one example might be the expansion of the use of smart meters).Discuss the consequences for IT management - for example the mass of new data, information overload. Suggest some strategies for IT services in a company for managing the Internet of Things.