According to a recent market survey report by a leading market research firm eMarketer, a massive 38% boost is anticipated in mobile advertising expenses by the end of current year, 2016. In the United States, today mobile taps the largest share of total spending in digital advertising arena, which is approximately 63.4%.
However, in the last two-three years, there have been many significant developments in the IoT (Internet of Things) niche that has made it a mainstream technology platform for businesses. IoT market is geared to expand at a fast pace holding a huge potential for digital marketing industry in the coming years.
Indeed, mobile apps are a powerful arsenal; they are a biggest contributor to even more powerful platform – IoT. It is anticipated that the no. of connected devices, which estimates to 10 billion currently, will increase by twofold by 2020. Businesses and IT companies will not be able to deny adapting to the IoT trend offering far better customer experience and higher ROI, unless they are willing to do commercial suicide.
Many tech-savvy and visionary businesses are already running IoT based pilot projects to see how this technology can enhance their product or service experience. While IoT industry is still at its initial phase, the businesses who can use their mobile apps’ lessons and experience to succeed in the IoT ecosystem will lead their niche.
Mobile apps are at the core of IoT ecosystem
What do we use apps for? Searching a good restaurant nearby, shopping, listening to music, chat with friends on social media and play games are a few of the most obvious answers, aren’t they? But on a broader perspective, a mobile app can be either a gateway or an endpoint.
The IoT ecosystem needs an endpoint which can receive and send back the data signal. For example, connected appliances in your home can serve as IoT endpoints. These appliances use smart sensors to monitor various events in real-time like change in room temperature; the information can be send back to relevant services, meaning mobile apps. Meaning, a mobile app can be used as a gateway to monitor, operate or control remotely-located devices.
Simply put, you can monitor your home AC temperature, turn on and turn off appliances like refrigerator, TV, etc., and do a lot more beyond your imagination with a mobile app and IoT enabled devices. Along with this, if the IoT devices are amalgamated with open source platform they can do wonders. Combined together, apps IoT devices and open source platform create a scope of a whole new world of opportunities for businesses and brands.
App development companies who have vast experience working for mobile apps can use this knowledge as a foundation to develop powerful frameworks for IoT ecosystem in the near future.
Mobile apps are more than just a GATEWAY
It is easy to see how mobile apps can function as a remote gateway for IoT endpoints, meaning IoT enabled systems which can include home, car, appliances and more. But apps have got a bit more advantage than this; apps can also perform as a sensor like IoT enabled devices themselves.
A mobile app, for instance, can use device’s GPS system to trace its user’s geographic location in real time; the data collected can be smartly used to provide enhanced and more personalized experience to the user. And if done right, it can help brands get their true evangelists.
Before you move for IoT developments, it is crucial to understand how mobile apps can function as an effective sensor or how they can help your business generate, analyze and report data. The millions of mobile apps’ usage applications can be leveraged as a base to understand how IoT devices can address users’ actual needs and build strong relationship with the consumers.
Conclusion
The massive growth and popularity of mobile apps has created a huge impact on the business world. And the mobile revolution is still going on; the advent of IoT as a business imperative will take the things to next big level – changing the way businesses interact with their customers. If you want to be a pioneer in realizing the potential of IoT for your business niche, take the first step today and explore business opportunities in the world of IoT.