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IoT Data Storage- As the Internet of Things (IoT) evolves, some use cases have fast-tracked their way into the spotlight as a result of the global pandemic.
Devices are connecting humans like never before from remote work and learning to streaming video and gaming content. In addition, in-person visits to the doctor have in some cases been replaced by telemedicine, so much so that Forrester predicts that patients will attend over one billion virtual care visits this year.
Additionally, the sudden surge in online shopping has impacted the supply chain. Today, these connected things are helping humans who use them, but in the future, more and more automated systems and IoT devices will emerge in factories and services such as touchless delivery where robots or machines handle all the work without humans.
But that’s not all that’s changed. As these IoT use cases propel into the mainstream, there are changes impacting how IT architects design the underlying storage that enables them.
What’s Changing in the IoT Data Journey?
Automation and Supply Chain Resilience
Consider the data demands of distribution and fulfillment in the supply chain: they’ve been massively disrupted because of the impact the pandemic has had on shipping conditions and distribution centers. Before COVID-19, typical requests would go to a central data center where the request would be disseminated to the biggest hub closest to the consumer with most of the supplies in stock. The result: a two-day delivery that set the standard for the industry so long ago.
But even that has gotten significantly more complex with the enormous surge in demand for shelter-in-place supplies, groceries, electronics, and so on. Massive distribution is a challenge because of the sheer volume of requests. However, it’s not the technology that’s led to longer delivery times; it’s the human factor that has not been able to keep pace. Systems in the supply chain rely heavily on humans to fulfill orders, especially in the “last mile.”
Automation can help move parts faster amid these accelerated demands. Automated IoT devices such as robots or autonomous vehicles can assist from the factory to your doorstep. As these devices both generate and rely on increasing volumes of data, storage is essential at every step in the data journey.
