Plunkett's Internet of Things (IoT) & Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Industry Almanac 2019

The Internet of Things is all about communicationsbetween objects and machines instead of people. The technology powering this revolution is often referred to as machine-to-machine or M2M. We will soon see tens of billions of IoT connected devices worldwide. The result will be a more efficient, more sustainable world. M2M can be as simple as a refrigerator that lets a smartphone app know when you are running low on milk (via Wi-Fi) to a vast, exceedingly complex network of wireless devices connecting all devices in a massive factory. M2M systems that automatically collect data from patients bedsides; analyze, chart and store that data; and make the data available to doctors or nurses so that they may take any necessary actions are becoming increasingly powerful. Elsewhere, remote sensors can monitor and transmit the stress level or metal fatigue in a highway bridge or an aircraft wing, or monitor manufacturing processes and product quality in a factory. In our age of growing focus on environmental quality, they can be designed to analyze surrounding air for chemicals, pollutants or particles. Energy efficiency is going to benefit greatly, particularly in newly-built offices and factories. General Electric, Microsoft, Intel and many other top global firms are investing billions of dollars in M2M. The end result will be more reliability, greater safety, sustainability and efficiency in everything from industrial plants to personal cars to air conditioners and agricultural fields.