Transport organisations lack skill to exploit Internet of Things

Global transport businesses expect IoT technology to revolutionise the industry, many of these organisations lack the skills and data-sharing processes required to extract the maximum value from the data generated by IoT solutions, a study commissioned by Inmarsat has revealed.

The research, by Vanson Bourne, covered 100 large transport companies, and found that around half will use the data generated by their IoT solutions to monitor environmental changes (54 per cent) and speed up their time to market (48 per cent), 44 per cent will use it to better manage their assets, and 28 per cent will use it to monitor and improve health and safety.

However, 40 per cent said that they would need additional analytical/data science skills to successfully deliver IoT and in over half (55 per cent) of cases data gathered through IoT solutions was not shared throughout the organisation, and was restricted to departments directly related to IoT development and deployment.

Mike Holdsworth, director of transport at Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “IoT is the driving force behind digital transformation in the sector and the technology will play an increasingly important role in helping transport and logistics companies achieve a competitive advantage.”

* Sales of wearable smart devices are forecast to reach 262.5 million units in 2021, according to research group Berg Insight.

Most of the growth will be in consumer products such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, however Berg also sees significant growth in the professional market.

It said: “Shipments of smart glasses have so far been modest, but promising use cases in professional markets as well as in niche consumer segments will enable smart glasses to become a sizeable connected wearable device category in the next five years.”