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JoAnn Hodgdon| Guest Columnist

IoT, the Internet of Things.What is it?Wikipedia defines it as: the network of physical objects - things or objects - that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the seamless connection between the digital world and what is our real world.By 2025, IoT trends suggest the number of connected devices will rise to 75 billion. According to Gartner, every second 127 devicesget connected to the internet!Think mobile phones, smart home and office security, heating systems, appliances, contact lenses and even smart yoga mats.

With many people working remotely, a key trend coming out of this year's list is the need for location independence.IT providers and leaders must recommend location-independent services. Live anywhere in the world and make a living with little more than a laptop and an internet connection! IoT edge computing which includes Internet of Things, both for consumer and for business, is one example of how to get there while securing your connected devices.

Even if you are not working remotely now due to the pandemic, the workplace of the future is evolving to include mobile device implementation and remote support technology.Take for instance contactless interactions accessing spaces and buildings with IoT such as smart cards, sensors and wearables as opposed to password enabled criteria.

IoT applications are utilized to enhance employee work environments at home.Soon corporate real estate will be a thing of the past with a greater percentage of decision makers anticipating permanent remote workers after COVID.Those who plan future offices are using smart power, lighting and energy.Many already use sensor-enabled space use to monitor congested areas, like dining facilities and for social distancing.

Virtual queues for curbside assistance and check-in have replaced waiting or standing in line.The IoT has enabled new expectations in customer service. Precise time slots due to tracking customer location have raised the customer experience to a new level. With a customers permission via an app, the consumer world is forever changed!

Within a business network, it is possible to move your IoT devices further from the data to the edge of your network.Via wireless connection, Edge computing allows you to take advantage of IoT and new transformational business applications. Your devices will spend less time communicating with the Cloud, react quicker to local changes and operate more reliably.

You can transform your business and devices with Microsoft Azure. A managed Azure Cloud Solution includes less physical infrastructure to manage.Retire your local servers when you move all your server functions to the cloud. No more static servers in your building or any other hardware, let alone the floor space and electricity to keep them running.

You also pay only for what you use so your company can scale and grow without any large capital investments. You have total control over your costs each month and can easily adjust your usage and capacity on demand to suit your budget.

With all your key business applications and data in the cloud, you are automatically protected when disaster strikes. Downtime is limited to a matter of hours, not days, and your staff and remote users have permanent access no matter what.

Your Azure Cloud Solution can be built to keep your IT infrastructure at optimal performance all the time, including your IoT devices.

MS Azure IoT Edge is a fully managed service that provides your business with the necessary uptime, communication and security you need. You will know that your devices are operating with the correct software and are authorized to communicate with one another.

Securing connected devices is mandatory. IoT Edge integrates with Azure Defender for IoT to provide threat protection and security management. It also supports any current hardware security model to provide strong authenticated connections for confidential computing.Make the switch to a managed Azure Cloud Solution.The seamless connection between your digital and real world is here.Prepare for future innovation!

JoAnn Hodgdon is vice president and co-founder of Portsmouth Computer Group (PCGiT) with her husband David. PCG provides comprehensive managed IT services, business continuity, security, cloud computing and Virtual CIO services to their clients. You may reach her at joann@pcgit.com or at http://www.pcgit.com.

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IT Insight: The seamless connection between the digital and real world - Seacoastonline.com