IoT the top digital transformation priority

IoT has become the top priority for digital transformation among 92% of large organisations, according to research from global satellite operator Inmarsat.

For the research, Inmarsat polled companies across the agritech, energy production, transportation and mining sectors that are over 1000 employees in size.

Respondents nearly universally (97%) reported experiencing or expecting to experience significant benefits from the deployment of IoT technologies. Top benefits included improved service delivery capabilities (47%), better health and safety across the organisation (46%) and greater workforce productivity (45%).

But companies are also facing barriers to maximising the transformational potential of IoT, including security concerns (47%), a shortage of skills related to the deployment of IoT (45%) and connectivity (29%).

“The development and deployment of IoT is a new phenomenon spreading over every industry in every part of the world and this research has confirmed that IoT is the leading technology in digital transformation, taking a steady lead over other forms of innovation,” Inmarsat Enterprise President Paul Gudonis commented.

“However, this is not to imply that challenges are absent. The research points to clear concerns — namely, security, skills and connectivity. The increasing interconnectivity of devices, teamed with a heightened cybersecurity landscape and a short supply of relevant skills, brings an array of issues. To overcome these challenges, collaboration is key.”

The study also found that machine learning (38%), robotics (31%) and 3D printing (31%) are also considered key requirements for effective digital transformation.

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