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1,2,3 deploy IoT


Our ability to gain perspectives, which influence our decision process and accelerate customer value, is getting exponentially better with the passing of each day.  Your connected systems / IoT aspirations are visceral and supported by logic.  A few suggestions to help you wrap your head around getting started on your journey:



Move the needle

If you had to choose just a couple of business conditions, which when altered could impact your entire operation, what would those be?  The best way to accomplish this is not to think about what or how will gather this information, instead focus on why these are so important to your business. Most of the time these answers may be found stitched into the intuition of yourself and your teammates.



Think big – start small

We often get trapped within ourselves and only think about things which we know we can measure or explore. This new world of connected systems opens myriad opportunities to examine and leverage information in ways which we could not even imagine just a handful of years ago. So, dream big and once your ideas are jotted down take a methodical and pragmatic approach to accomplish your objectives. There are no shortcuts on your journey to evolve your business into a prescriptive service organization.



Block out your technical approach

If you can't describe your architecture and approach in three to five large blocks you should re-examine your design. For instance, a block approach might include; data, intelligence, and action. Connected systems are complex but they don't need to be complicated.



Experiment and evaluate

The rate of change in intelligently connected systems is mind-numbing. Once you begin to peel back this onion it is likely you will be overwhelmed and easily distracted with competing components of connected system solutions. Put a toe in the water, start with a prepackaged and narrowly focused IoT solution, or jump with both feet in and start with an IoT platform. Either way establish diverse pilots and assess multiple technology types. Don't forget that most of these systems are subscription-based and your long-term total cost of ownership should be considered once you pass the pilot phase.



Partner up

Odds are you will have to choose a horse to ride with regards to a platform, do so with eyes wide-open.  While the platform partners are important, they become exponentially more valuable when they have a strong consulting partner organization.  As an example, you may choose Microsoft for the partner and Hitachi Solutions for your consulting partner.



In a "try and buy" SaaS business environment we need to get to the punchline quickly. From a tactical perspective you will need to have quick wins to build your confidence as well as those funding your aspirations.  When you consider the strategic side it is important that you stay just a few steps ahead of your competition, you want them to follow you and share your new cost structures.



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Next post:  losing my mind

Questions?  feel free to leave replies or direct message

See all of the "last mile worker" posts here:  http://lastmileworker.com

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