IBM announces new enterprise IoT unit

• Building cloud-based open platform for industries to leverage IoT data
• New IBM IoT cloud services to drive insights into business operations

IBM has announced that it will invest US$3 billion over the next four years to establish a new Internet of Things (IoT) unit and build a cloud-based open platform to help clients and ecosystem partners across industries better integrate real-time data and insights from dispersed sources directly into business operations.
 
IBM’s work in Smarter Planet and Smarter Cities was based on the practical applications of IoT in the enterprise and led to the development of offerings to reduce crime, minimise risk for firefighters, and monitor water conditions, the company said in a statement.
 
With new industry-specific cloud data services and developer tools, IBM said it will build on that expertise to integrate data from an unprecedented number of IoT and traditional sources.
 
It will be made available on an open platform to provide industrial ‘makers’ and ‘operators’ with the ability to design and manufacture better connected devices and create systems that take advantage of enterprise and IoT data for business decision-making.
 
“Our knowledge of the world grows with every connected sensor and device, but too often we are not acting on it, even when we know we can ensure a better result,” said Bob Picciano (pic), senior vice president, IBM Analytics.
 
“This is a major focus of investment for IBM because it’s a rich and broad-based opportunity where innovation matters. Over the next decade, integration of IoT in business operations and decision-making will transform business,” he added.
 
IBM estimates that 90% of all data generated by devices like smartphones, tablets, connected vehicles and appliances is never analysed or acted upon.
 
As much as 60% of this data begins to lose value within milliseconds of being generated. To address this challenge, IBM is announcing it will offer:
 
IBM IoT Cloud Open Platform for Industries
 
New analytics services to design and deliver vertical industry IoT solutions for industry clients on the IBM Cloud, an open platform that is also available to clients and ecosystem partners looking to build their own data-driven solutions.
 
For example, IBM will introduce a cloud-based service that helps insurance companies extract insight from connected vehicles. This will enable new, more dynamic pricing models and the delivery of services that can be highly customised to individual drivers.

IBM Bluemix IoT Zone
 
New IoT services as part of Bluemix platform-as-a-service will enable easy integration of IoT data into cloud-based development and deployment of IoT apps.
 
Developers will be able to enrich existing business applications – such as enterprise asset management, facilities management, and software engineering design tools – by infusing more real-time data and embedded analytics to further automate and optimise mission critical IoT processes.

IBM IoT Ecosystem
 
Expansion of its ecosystem of IoT partners – from silicon and device manufacturers to industry-oriented solution providers – such as AT&T, ARM, Semtech and newly announced The Weather Company – to ensure the secure and seamless integration of data services and solutions on IBM’s open platform.

For more information on IBM’s Internet of Things business, please visit www.ibm.com/IoT
 
Related Stories:
 
IoT will be largely driven by makers and younger startups: Gartner
 
APAC companies recognise transformational role of IoT: Forrester-Zebra study
 
Internet of Things gaining momentum in businesses: Verizon
 
 
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