As businesses begin to depend more on smart devices, those same businesses are now relying on applications that integrate multiple devices to easily share data across multiple platforms.
Companies both small and large need more than email to run an effective business. They rely on cloud storage, messaging apps, and other software that allows vehicles, computers, phones, and various other pieces of hardware to communicate. This is the Internet of Things – a network of devices communicating with each other, allowing users to access different pieces of data instantly, control equipment and permissions remotely, and even access real-time analytics.
With millions of apps available on mobile device app stores, many companies are already using the Internet of Things without knowing it. But for companies using more complex automated systems and managing large networks, those apps just don’t cut it anymore.
The Internet of Things is a big industry. By 2025, experts forecast that the IoT solutions industry will reach a $1.567 billion USD market size – meaning companies that don’t adapt will be left in the dust. Without instant access to data, and without keeping up with the latest technologies that allow businesses to streamline functions and reduce time and financial waste, running a functional, successful business simply becomes too difficult to compete.
That’s where custom IoT applications come in.
Can Your Business Benefit From Custom IoT Apps?
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Custom IoT apps take into consideration the exact devices you use in your day-to-day operations, how you use them, and what you need them to do. While it’s perfectly fine to use individual apps that manage communication, file sharing, and analytics now, in 5 or 10 years, doing so will be extremely complicated and messy.
Custom IoT applications can be developed with existing hardware, or for new hardware that you use across your entire business.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common uses for the Internet of Things applications, and see if they could benefit you.
Building Automation and Security
If you have a “smart home” – meaning you use connected devices that allow you to control the temperature or home entertainment systems with your phone or laptop – then you’re already invested in the Internet of Things whether you know it or not!
This concept can benefit your business or organization, too. For example, with custom healthcare solutions or even insurance software, the devices you use every day in your business can be connected in a way that allows you to control them from one central hub. This hub may be located on a laptop or a tablet in your office, on your personal smartphone, or even on the smartphones of multiple of your employees. A custom app doesn’t have restricted features as a pre-made app does. Plus, it’s more secure and also fits for fintech solutions.
Automotive Analytics
The Internet of Things can also help you manage your company car fleet. From locking doors and adjusting security features, to remotely flashing lights, checking battery status or engine health, these apps can be an invaluable tool to ensure your business is operating smoothly at all times.
A mobile application allows you to monitor your company vehicles, see where your colleagues and employees are driving company vehicles, track the status of deliveries, and so much more. Improved security could mean your insurance costs go down, and monitoring the general health of all your vehicles means drivers are always as safe as possible.
Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management in retail is one area in which the Internet of Things truly thrives, and businesses all over the world are adapting IoT enterprise software solutions for their own needs. With a custom app, you can see what stock is available in the warehouses and what stock needs to be replenished. You can even optimize routes for delivery, prevent theft and automate the process of checking in and out new goods.
With an IoT app developed from the ground up, you can create a software system that understands the fundamentals of your retail business, and ensure you’re always equipped with real-time information that helps you stay on top of your game. This might include automated notifications from your warehouse, and down the line, could even incorporate artificial intelligence to automatically predict a shortage and make orders on your behalf.
The possibilities are endless, but you’ll need software designed specifically for you to benefit from them.
What is the Best Way to Get Custom Apps?
The most pressing question now is how to get a custom IoT app. There are a couple of options you can consider.
Build It Yourself…Or Compromise
For a business that has never thought about this before, the idea of building a custom IoT app independently may not be the ideal solution. For other more tech-savvy businesses, building a custom solution might not be a difficult task.
Many businesses, however, are between these two scenarios. Out of the millions of apps available online, many have existing software that can be tweaked to your benefit. While the apps won’t be designed specifically for your business, as long as they are compatible with the hardware you use, you’ll be able to make them work. This is a great option if you’re just starting off, but be aware that if your processes are complex and you use hardware that spans multiple operating systems, you’ll eventually encounter some problems.
Enlist the Help of Experts
Let’s face it – for something like this, you’re going to need professional help. Thankfully, there are iot development experts out there who can help develop software specifically for your company’s needs. Seasoned developers can help whether you need to revamp your existing hardware or establish a fleet of new devices. When you trust experts to develop your custom apps, you’ll get security features like end-to-end encryption (something not promised by the existing apps on the app stores!), advanced interfaces, and vastly improved performance. Custom apps are designed to help your company succeed and grow, and when you need new features, they can be added accordingly.
Don’t Get Left Behind
The world is changing, and it’s no longer sufficient to have solely a website and an email address. As more people rely on smartphones, as vehicles get smarter, and as computers are installed on everything from thermostats to door locks, your business needs to be prepared.
A custom IoT app could transform the way you do business and prepare you for the future.