Gartner: IoT requires rethink of manufacturers' underlying business models

The Internet of Things (IoT), which includes intelligent devices ranging from smartphones to medical robotics, is forecast to grow to 26 billion units installed by 2020, representing an almost 30-fold increase from 0.9 billion in 2009, according to a new report by Gartner. Adoption is predicated upon device manufacturers investing in innovation in this area, and their ability to realise a meaningful return on investment. At the same time, the hyper-growth of IoT will require a rethinking of manufacturers' underlying business models, including the manufacturing supply chain and the critical role that software plays in product development and product revenue models. IoT transforms all hardware and appliance OEMs into software providers. Licensing and entitlement management technology provides the locking capabilities that enable manufacturers to protect and monetize the embedded software IP running on connected intelligent devices, the research company added. Release