One of the big buzz-words in today’s IT world is the ‘Internet of Things’, often abbreviated as IoT. As a very rough description, the Internet of Things is the rapidly expanding network of physical objects (equipment, inventories, locations) that have digital sensors connected and reporting data into the ‘cloud’. A lot of very smart people think that IoT is already rapidly changing how everyone lives and works around the world.
So how does this relate to busybusy? Our time and labor tracking solution fits right into the ‘Social, Mobile, Analytic, Cloud’ sector that Chris discusses. The busybusy mobile timecard app allows companies to accurately track labor costs, bid smarter and be more productive.
We certainly see the same trend, as we watch our customers streamline their businesses and boost profits by better understanding their labor costs. But this IoT thing is a really big deal, reaching far beyond mobile apps for construction. And we’re thinking ahead to figure out how it will impact our customers, and how we can help them as more “smart” equipment comes online and more inventory is digitally tracked. There’s definitely a relationship between asset management, time tracking and the Internet of Things.
Construction Companies are Pioneering the Internet of Things
Chris Rezendes speaking on the Internet of Things at AEMP 2014
Chris Rezendes is one of the foremost figures thinking about all this. He’s the Founder/CEO of INEX Advisors, and is a regular on the speaking circuit. He recently gave a talk at the Association of Equipment Management Professionals titled “How to Talk SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytic, Cloud)”.
Chris makes the point that the construction industry–especially heavy construction– is actually at the forefront of the Internet of Things. Building companies, engineering firms, excavators & heavy equipment operators know more than almost anyone about integrating information with physical assets. They’ll be a huge part of IoT as it expands.
Which brings us back to a common thread in this blog. What will the job site of the future look like? What technologies and methods will be key? What will help our customers compete?
