A Guide to IoT Monitoring in 2024: Pros, Cons & Importance

IoT Monitoring (IoTM) is the process of discovering, evaluating, monitoring, and managing the devices that are connected to the internet. It allows for the real-time overseeing and data collection of the interconnected devices’ functionalities, performances, and troubleshooting. IoTM, if properly maintained and regulated, will aid businesses in achieving a higher efficiency rate, by notifying them of probable performance gaps and possible disruptions through the presentation of data. However, IoTM is not without its challenges, such as monitoring large swaths of data, emerging security threats, and integrating new devices into an already-elaborate system.

What is IoT monitoring and how is it related to IoT?

Internet of Things (IoT) refers to IoT devices that are interconnected with each other through embedded software, sensors, or other related technologies. They enable the collection and the sharing of real-time data and can help increase efficiency.

In Copenhagen, for instance, after the installation of smart sensors in waste bins, the researchers concluded a statistically significant improvement in waste collection efficiency. The latter was achieved by garbage collectors monitoring the waste level of each bin in a county through embedded sensors, and only picking them up after their content reached the desired threshold. In that manner, the monitoring of waste levels helped garbage collectors avoid unnecessary trips and consequent re-routing.

But to take advantage of the data, systematic monitoring and data collection is paramount. This is where IoTM comes into play.

What are the benefits of IoT monitoring?

IoT Monitoring analyzes data, tracks performance, and helps with troubleshooting. Through constant monitoring of the devices’ health and functionality, and collecting and presenting the relevant data, IoTM will supply the user with actionable insights.

As a modern company grows in size, depth, and functionality, so can its IoT infrastructure, and with it, the torrent of collected data the management has to sort through. IoTM will allow for a comprehensive view of the model’s health, aid in performance analysis, and ensure day-to-day business continuity. For example, if there is to be an outage, it can either be preemptively mitigated, or it could be resolved quicker, as the data will pinpoint specific performance gaps.

Workplace examples of IoTM

Data security software, inventory management applications, supply-chain monitoring systems, KPIs, website traffic indicators, security cameras, and even smart coffee-makers are amongst the common IoT devices used in the workplace today.

For example, IoTM will help notify a coffee-roasting lab if its vendors are running short on supply. It can also make sure of the security of the employees’ insurance and pension data in the database. The former will take place through utilizing inventory management applications, while the latter can happen through cyber security software. All these are IoT devices, that when complemented with IoTM, can help a business to navigate its way through.

What are some of the challenges that face IoT monitoring?

The following are some of the challenges that a business might face with its IoTM:

• Scalability: The year-on-year estimated growth of IoT devices is 9%. That means each year, a growing business will not only spend in more IoT infrastructure, but will also have to allocate more time, money, and energy on monitoring the data.
• Speed: Taking the appropriate actions to remedy the performance gaps is time-sensitive. This can be challenging especially in a larger scale.
• Security: Each new IoT software or device implies a new security liability. Parallel to investing in new IoT infrastructure, companies should also invest in up-to-date security monitoring software that would protect them against hackers.
• Integration: If there are any overlaps in the devices’ functionality, adding and integrating a new device into an already-existing system might pose a challenge and require reconfiguration.

For more on IoT

To explore IoT in more detail, feel free to check our articles:

• 30+ IoT Applications/Use Cases: In-Depth Guide
• What is an IoT platform? Benefits, Features & Top Vendors
• 30 Internet of Things – IoT stats from reputable sources

To explore how AI can improve IoT, feel free to read our article on AIoT: When AI meets the Internet of Things (IoT): In-depth Guide.

And if you believe your business will benefit from an IoT solution, feel free to scroll down our data-driven list of IoT software and tools.

And we can guide you through the process: