While it’s getting easier to implement IoT and rollout your digital optimization strategy it’s another story when you hit the yellow brick road. Yes, most of the IoT platforms out there are touting ease of integration, partner programs and yes, in some cases vertical solutions that are ready to go out of the box. This is where organizations struggle. So, we thought we would try and differentiate between “engagement” and “platform” as you consider your new 4.0 strategy.
The following is an overview of a “typical” Engagement.
Let’s contrast this with a “Platform”
While it seems like a no brainer to use a current platform there’s still quite a lot to consider. Nothing is as easy as the brochure makes it out to be. But if you thought of your IoT in terms of building a new house it becomes clearer.
You add the finishes. The lights. The appliances. And of course, make sure they’re all IoT connected devices. Do you get everything you wanted? Probably not, it’s not feasible for you to have everything with a platform that’s 80% complete. For some, this may not be the best path. It’s all dependent on your goals.
When organizations begin this process there are a myriad of interconnected needs flowing throughout the company but the mostly boil down to:
Budgets: The favorite topic of everyone. Not just because we love spreadsheets but because we have a hard time coming up with what it will cost. For all the work we put in, sometimes it comes down to “you can have X dollars” period. Those dollars are limited, and we need to squeeze out what we can.
Resources: Everyone is spread far and wide…literally. Competing tasks, projects, deadlines, milestones, and everything in between means everyone is busy. Resources are a constraint. It’s best to have a project that requires less resources than more.
Calendar: In today’s fast paced environment everything must be done this quarter and it must have measured impact. Projects that have faster impact to the bottom line tend to be funded first.
Nothing is easy today, but starting with a foundation, frame, plumbing and electric makes it way more likely that the family is moved in on time and everyone is happy.