The concept of internet of things (IoT) is slowly finding its way  into all industry verticals including manufacturing, retail, health care and logistics. IoT solutions are increasingly enabling companies across all these verticals to reduce costs, monitor functions and decrease the downtime of machines while improving overall business efficiency and customer service.

A look at the IoT use cases  and applications across major industry verticals in India…

Manufacturing

With product innovation becoming  a key priority to stay ahead in a competitive market, manufacturing companies are now warming up to the idea of adopting IoT solutions. The deployment of such solutions increases efficiency by streamlining processes. For example, managers can take real-time stock of raw materials through their hand-held mobile devices, and manufacturers can remotely monitor the condition of equipment, get information regar­ding failures, updates and customisations from product design teams, and incorporate these more quickly. All this translates into fewer on-site visits, less manpower requirements and, ultimately, lower costs.

Currently, sensors are being used for continuous monitoring of critical assets, equipment, processes and product parameters within the factory. Companies are exploring the option of connected products, which give feedback about their location and performance after they are deployed on-site. The production line systems are increasingly getting connected, which allows manufacturers to undertake predictive maintenance. This reduces the unplanned downtime considerably, as well as improves equipment utilisation. Most production line systems already contain the necessary sensors; it is just a matter of adding connectivity. Enabling all the parts of the supply chain with connectivity also helps companies keep track of the shipped products and certain critical in-transit parameters such as temperature and pressure.

Amongst the various manufacturing segments in India, the automobile industry adopted IoT/M2M technologies early on. For instance, Mahindra & Mahindra has implemented a “digital factory” at its Chakan vehicle plant in Pune. This is a near-real-time factory that uses IP connectivity for all assets, from the shop floor to the data command centre. Any disruption in the manufacturing process can quickly be identified and tracked, allowing any problems to be fixed in the least possible time. Real-time control systems help in the routing and tracking of vehicles as well as in quality assurance and equipment performance monitoring. Similarly, TVS Motors, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, uses IoT for process automation and quality control, traceability on the shop floor, pollution control and monitoring,  water flow measurement and power consumption. Both the auto makers are also working on the connected vehicles concept, wherein the key parameters of a vehicle and its parts are fed into a central data centre with a lifetime paid SIM card in each vehicle. Customers can perform functions such as remote locking/unlocking and switching off of air conditioners and head lamps, and predict battery life and drive range.

Utilities

Smart grid technology has already found several takers in the energy and utilities sector. Sub-sector verticals such as state electricity boards, transmission and distribution companies, and private power producers are using smart solutions to study customers’ power usage behaviour, in addition to managing power supply and demand. A few companies in the oil and gas industry have also initiated IoT pilots for cost-effective remote monitoring and maintenance of pipeline networks. For instance, Hindustan Petroleum is leveraging IoT to automate several processes and create real-time insights into their business. The company has installed sensors in the field units to capture information such as temperature, pressure, flow rates, density, product levels, GPS coordinates, condition of devices, speed and other physical attributes. The retail outlet automation systems have helped the company in monitoring the performance of its outlets in real time.

Health care

IoT is expected to bring a paradigm shift in the healthcare sector in India, where universal access to health services is still a dream. There is a huge dearth of medical facilities including certified doctors and nurses in rural and semi-urban India. IoT can usher in a patient-centric approach wherein patients need not travel long distances or wait for hours to get medical help. IoT solutions will facilitate near-real-time flow of information between doctors and patients located in remote areas. Data on patients’ vital statistics can now be sourced through connectivity-enabled medical equip­ment in addition to electronic recor­ds. These statistics can be stored on the cloud and be readily accessed from anywhere for better diagnostics and prescription.

Apollo Hospitals is exploring IoT solutions to transform the healthcare delivery landscape in India in a big way. It has launched a diabetes management initiative called SUGAR, wherein blood sugar levels are constantly monitored through IoT solutions. This information can then be transmitted seamlessly to the hospital’s personal health record system. The hospital chain is also looking at IoT for effective inpatient care, post-discharge care and overall preventive health and wellness.

Logistics

IoT solutions are dramatically changing the way transportation and logistics businesses operate. Connectivity-enabled devi­ces are now being used to track shipments through road, rail, sea and air transport. This end-to-end monitoring reduces the chances of loss or theft. Additional sensors can be used to ensure that perishable or fragile goods are kept in appropriate conditions and handled properly throughout the journey. By going digital, transportation and logistics warehouses can capture and share their mission-critical data on the cloud, ensuring that they have the right products in the right place at the right time. Connectivity also enables enterprises to communicate with their vehicle drivers any time, anywhere, allowing them to be proactive with in-field repairs, mainten­ance, etc. With real-time updates on wea­ther and traffic conditions, fleet drivers can cope with the situation better.

For field technicians, real-time visibility of vehicle drivers and vehicle performance is critical. This can be used to improve driver safety, reduce damaged inventory and decrease insurance-related costs. Additionally, real-time insights can help technicians respond to customer service enquiries promptly.

For example, Hero MotoCorp equipp­ed its vehicles with GPS connectivity to improve the visibility of its fleet in different locations, so that the dealers could know when certain vehicles would be available. The company gets real-time data of truck location and links it with its sales and distribution data to take prompt action.

Retail

Retailers are exploring ways to create digital ecosystems for reshaping customer experience and enhancing revenues. IoT solutions allow retailers to connect the physical and digital worlds through real-time interaction with consumers, both inside and outside the store. Globally, retail stores use location-based beacon technology to interact directly with customers as they enter the store. Depart­ment stores such as New York’s Lord & Taylor and Canada’s Hudson’s Bay are using technologies to deliver customised information regarding promotions to customers. Retailers can analyse the huge amount of data produced by these interactions to improve the customer’s in-store experience. Sensors can be used to track customers’ paths through a store. The information can then be leveraged by managers to improve store layouts and merchandise placement strategies.

In India, IoT solutions are gaining trac­tion at a steady pace. For instance, Bengaluru-based IoT start-up Altimetrik is working with some of the largest retail and FMCG companies in India to bring in efficiency in their business. IoT helps companies get real-time correlation of events and leverage the information to derive fruitful business outcomes.

Insurance

The insurance sector stands to gain significantly from the adoption of IoT solutions. Healthcare insurance companies can give incentives to customers for allowing them to track their fitness records from connected devices and offer proactive health tips. Similarly, car insurance companies can mandate customers to install sensors in their cars and charge them a premium based on their driving activity and style. Sensors are connected to capture data on variables such as average speed, distance travelled, time of the day travelled, the frequency of hard-braking and cornering. By studying the risks arising from individual consumers’ behaviour, insurance companies can price their risk more effectively.