IoT Solutions Are One of the Biggest Challenges for IT Departments Today, According to Info-Tech Research Group Resource

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Sep 16, 2022, 15:20 ET

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published its newest research-backed blueprint, Create and Implement an IoT Strategy. According to Info-Tech's research, IoT (Internet of Things) has become one of the biggest challenges for IT departments to manage today. With IoT solutions becoming increasingly common, organizations must move quickly to adopt new, IoT-focused ways to collect and analyze data and automate processes and actions.

A guide for IT leaders to gain control of their Internet of Things environment and maximize business value, from Info-Tech Research Group's "Create and Implement an IoT Strategy" blueprint (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group)

The firm's research indicates that one of the most common mistakes organizations make when working with an IoT vendor is waiting to include the IT team in the process until the IoT solution is ready to go live, rather than including the team from the beginning. This causes challenges with integrations, communications, and access to data.

"Most of the solutions available are designed to perform a specific function within the parameters of the devices and applications designed by vendors," says Sandi Conrad, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "As these specific use cases proliferate within an organization, the data collected can end up housed in many places, owned by each specific business unit and used only for the originally designed purpose."

One of the primary reasons IoT management is a challenge for IT teams is that, as many devices suddenly enter the organizational environment, IT must ensure each device is inventoried, added to lifecycle management practices, and secured. The large volume of devices and lack of insight into vendor solutions makes it significantly harder to plan upgrades and contract renewals as well as guarantee that security protocols are being met.

"In order to make these dramatic shifts to using many IoT solutions, IT needs to look at creating an IoT strategy that will ensure all systems meet strategic goals and enable disparate data to be aggregated for greater insights," adds Conrad.

IoT solutions may be chosen by the business, but to be successful and meet their requirements, a partnership with IT will ensure better communications with the service provider and provide several other benefits, such as:

New insights into how an organization interacts with its clients and how clients use products and services.
A framework to quickly assess the risks and develop a communications plan.
A collective understanding of how devices will be tracked, managed, and maintained is imperative to IT securing their systems and data.
Quick time to value and immediate implementation of controls to meet operational and security requirements.

Info-Tech recommends that if an loT steering committee doesn't already exist, or if the committee's mandate will not include IoT, to consider creating such a committee to set standards and processes and to quickly evaluate solutions for feasibility and implementation.

To learn more, download Info-Tech's Create and Implement an IoT Strategy blueprint.

For more about Info-Tech Research Group and to download the latest research, visit www.infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

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About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and Industry analysts through the ITRG Media Insiders Program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group