Firstly, what do these terms mean to the average person like us?
The internet of things (IoT) are physical devices and objects that are connected to the internet and with each other. In other words, when objects can sense and communicate, it changes how and where decisions are made, and who makes them. Examples include your smart phone, your smart thermostat, your smart watch...you get the idea.
The internet of everything (IoE) is the intelligent connection of people, process, data and those connected internet of things. The IoE describes a world where billions of objects have sensors to detect measure and assess their status; all connected over public and private networks.
What makes up the IoE?
People: Connecting people in new ways
Data: Converting data into intelligence
Process: Delivering the right information to the right person (or machine) at the right time.
Things: the devices that are all talking through this network
Why would you care about the internet of everything (IoE) or the internet of things (IoT)? In a word, efficiency. A simple example might be your smart thermostat that can communicate with a weather site to start cooling your home early before a record-hot day sets in, or linking to your phone so you can set it to vacation mode as you dash to catch your flight.
As in any form of communication, getting the right information to the right person (or thing) at the right time makes for the best decision making.
There is a huge opportunity to make things more effective for you or even for your business to become more relevant by integrating your products and services into this network.
As with most things, there is a potential downside. With more and more devices being packed with sensors, you need to be aware of what information is being shared on your behalf and who it is being shared with. We also need to be vigilant to confirm any data keeps our personal information safe and used for what you agreed to.
I relish the day when I can be working away in my Tesla driving to work as the car gets me there safely and efficiently. I want my car to be busy communicating with the vehicles around me to know what they are doing and avoiding traffic congestion. I don't want thieves to be able to tap into my location to know it is now safe to break into my house.
I encourage everyone to become aware of the internet of things and the internet of everything. Unlike Facebook or Instagram, you don't need to sign up. When you buy devices that are connected and packed with sensors, you will automatically be part of this emerging global network.