The Internet of Things: Connected Devices Driving Storage Requirements
The Internet of Things is growing at an accelerated pace. Connected devices already number in the billions, and they will soon number in the tens of billions if the more optimistic predictions come true. This ever-expanding ecosystem is driven by two powerful global trends: the adoption of Big Data in the enterprise, and the rise of mobile in emerging markets.
On the enterprise side, companies of all sizes are leveraging analytics to gain insights into their products, customers and operations. Last month, Virgin Atlantic announced plans to replace its aging fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft with 787s, highly sophisticated airliners that Virgin Atlantic IT director David Bulman could only describe as “highly connected.” The 787’s engines, flaps, landing gears and almost every other critical component feature advanced sensors and an internet connection; it generates over half a terabyte of data per flight.
While Boeing is busy redefining the meaning of “connected device,” INRIX is connecting the dots between traffic and the economy. Its latest Gridlock Index (IGI) report found that traffic congestion across the U.S. increased in December, January, and February, representing the strongest sustained growth in the last two years.
What does this have to do with the economy, you ask? INRIX CEO Bryan Mistele put it best: “People hit the road as they return to work, and businesses ship more freight as their orders increase. IGI shows the pulse of the economy is starting to beat faster.”
The Internet of Things is poised to disrupt both the enterprise and the consumer space, but not without a cost. As companies abandon their legacy infrastructure investments in favor of new storage solutions that offer cost-effectiveness at scale, CIOs are struggling to address the challenges posed by new technologies. Ensuring the security of internal and external data sources, making information accessible for end-users and driving operational efficiencies have become top priorities for organizations that set out to tap into the Internet of Things.
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