North Star Systems is a hardware and software developer in Saskatchewan, Canada that manufactures Tattle Systems, a tool that supports business operations. Tattle Systems capabilities take technology to the next level. Real-time remote location, level, and data reporting define Tattle Systems. In our North Stars Systems Technology Tuesday series we will be exploring the business, culture, and impact of the technology industry. In our latest article, North Star Systems shares our thoughts on Data-driven decisions: your brain on IoT.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) connects the tools professionals use every day via the Internet to computers. As human imagination deploys IoT in more and diverse ways, these interconnected devices create enormous amounts of data – far more than a human brain can deal with. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to.One of the features of IoT design is to not only gather data, but to analyze it and provide options for the person making the decisions. These prescriptive analytics effectively augment the human brain, allowing us to use far more complex and comprehensive information than would otherwise be possible.IoT sensors can and are being deployed in ways that are truly a tribute to human imagination. Want to monitor livestock herd health? How about an ear-embedded microchip in every animal that can alert the rancher that an animal may be getting sick? Or for human health, “smart bottles” that send a message to patient’s smartphones, reminding them to take medications or that they need to renew a prescription?While this might sound a bit like science fiction, it’s a logical progression of traditional systems. For example, once a business reaches a certain size, it becomes more important and eventually essential to retain skilled accountants. But these accountants don’t decide what to do. Rather, they crunch the data, provide professional analysis, and provide advice on options. Armed with this focused knowledge, the business owner can make much better, informed decisions.Another way IoT augments the human brain is through machine learning. The IoT system can spot patterns in floods of data that would overwhelm a person. These patterns can point the way to opportunities and innovations that would otherwise go unnoticed. In this, IoT offers a clear competitive advantage.A case in point: some North Star Systems users are using TATTLE technology to anticipate when their customers need their services. This allows them to show up before the customer’s needs are urgent – great for the business reputation. It also allows efficient work scheduling to avoid emergency calls and overtime while preserving employees’ weekends. Most importantly, the system has provided a competitive advantage that has made them preferred service suppliers for their business area.Machine learning excels at spotting recurring patterns. This is already being used by some technology companies at their help desks. When a question comes in, the system spots frequently asked questions and provides standard responses. If it encounters a question it can’t answer, it kicks the question to a person. The machine takes the routine tasks, freeing the human brains to do what they do best.Machine learning and prescriptive analytics, coupled by the sheer speed and power of today’s computers, are putting these systems at the forefront in directing self-driving vehicles, whether they be cars for personal transport or tractors working in agricultural fields.These, and other applications of IoT, are limited only by human imagination – and imagination has few limits.
Data-Driven Decisions
So, you’ve RFID-tagged your inventory; sensors on your delivery fleet are tracking where every unit is and what’s on board. Now what?The Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) connects the tools professionals use every day via the Internet to computers. As human imagination deploys IoT in more and diverse ways, these interconnected devices create enormous amounts of data – far more than a human brain can deal with. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to.One of the features of IoT design is to not only gather data, but to analyze it and provide options for the person making the decisions. These prescriptive analytics effectively augment the human brain, allowing us to use far more complex and comprehensive information than would otherwise be possible.IoT sensors can and are being deployed in ways that are truly a tribute to human imagination. Want to monitor livestock herd health? How about an ear-embedded microchip in every animal that can alert the rancher that an animal may be getting sick? Or for human health, “smart bottles” that send a message to patient’s smartphones, reminding them to take medications or that they need to renew a prescription?While this might sound a bit like science fiction, it’s a logical progression of traditional systems. For example, once a business reaches a certain size, it becomes more important and eventually essential to retain skilled accountants. But these accountants don’t decide what to do. Rather, they crunch the data, provide professional analysis, and provide advice on options. Armed with this focused knowledge, the business owner can make much better, informed decisions.Another way IoT augments the human brain is through machine learning. The IoT system can spot patterns in floods of data that would overwhelm a person. These patterns can point the way to opportunities and innovations that would otherwise go unnoticed. In this, IoT offers a clear competitive advantage.A case in point: some North Star Systems users are using TATTLE technology to anticipate when their customers need their services. This allows them to show up before the customer’s needs are urgent – great for the business reputation. It also allows efficient work scheduling to avoid emergency calls and overtime while preserving employees’ weekends. Most importantly, the system has provided a competitive advantage that has made them preferred service suppliers for their business area.Machine learning excels at spotting recurring patterns. This is already being used by some technology companies at their help desks. When a question comes in, the system spots frequently asked questions and provides standard responses. If it encounters a question it can’t answer, it kicks the question to a person. The machine takes the routine tasks, freeing the human brains to do what they do best.Machine learning and prescriptive analytics, coupled by the sheer speed and power of today’s computers, are putting these systems at the forefront in directing self-driving vehicles, whether they be cars for personal transport or tractors working in agricultural fields.These, and other applications of IoT, are limited only by human imagination – and imagination has few limits.