2015: The Year of IoT Pioneers, Analytics and Data Privacy

This past year welcomed widespread Internet of Things (IoT) adoption and hype, big data implementation, and growing concerns around data privacy and cloud deployment. As 2014 draws to a close, we look ahead with much anticipation for what promises to be a signature year for machine learning, predictive analytics, new IoT pioneers and a full overhaul in the distribution of the IoT.

This past year welcomed widespread Internet of Things (IoT) adoption and hype, big data implementation, and growing concerns around data privacy and cloud deployment. As 2014 draws to a close, we look ahead with much anticipation for what promises to be a signature year for machine learning, predictive analytics, new IoT pioneers and a full overhaul in the distribution of the IoT.

In 2015, IoT will become the perfect storm enabled by incredible growth of cloud, analytics, mobility and social networks. In addition, cloud is well on its way and will continue the upward trajectory of where all things will be connected, becoming the nucleus to everything we do day to day.

As I look back and compare 2014 to what lies ahead, here are the top trends that will change and transform 2015 into the year of interconnected things. 

Data privacy concern in the IoT will rapidly diminish.

Similar to the myth around internet privacy, which has faded over the last few years, the concern for privacy in today’s connected-heavy world will phase out. People use the internet freely and are well aware that all search engines, such as Google and Bing, store every click. In addition, people share various and personal information on social media without question. As IoT applications take off in 2015, consumers will continue to put data privacy issues aside as they continue to see the growing benefit of IoT.  

IoT will be the killer application of “big data.”

In 2015, business IoT will become increasingly relevant alongside consumer IoT. In fact, enterprise IoT will embrace and implement the true value of big data, creating a one-stop shop to deploy the tools big data can unlock, such as predictive analytics. IoT, by its definition, will “touch” millions of people and billions of things in coming years. Data from IoT will grow to zetabytes and some of the most dynamic big data apps, such as smart grids, smart cities and connected vehicles (V2V), will come out of this IoT phenomenon and lead the big data overhaul with their IoT adoption.

The IoT industry leaders will be born in 2015.         

The pace of innovation and entrepreneurship in IoT will peak in the next years. By connecting everything, IoT will democratize and mobilize a large mainstream of smart young people with bright ideas, building new technologies and business models for the IoT market. As a result, the cost of trying and failing will diminish when weighed against the potential rewards of changing the way we live, work and enjoy our lives today.

Cloud is where all things will be connected and will increasingly become the centerfold to everything. Furthermore, mobility is what will empower us to command and control the connected world of IoT, continuing on the path of instant gratification. Whether you agree on these predictions or not, one thing I think we can all agree on is that that 2015 is sure to be a signature year for all things IoT