Credit: Shutterstock photoInternational Business Machines Corporation (IBM), popularly known as IBM, is fast adopting innovative technologies in the era of high-tech transformation, and it will not be long before IBM is seen in a different light, known as a newer kind of IBM:
I - Internet of Things
B - Blockchain
M - Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
To lead and cement its position in the global Internet of Things (IoT) market, IBM has recently unveiled its plan to invest $200 million in its IoT headquarters at Munich in Europe. This comes as part of the overall investment of $3 billion over the next four years starting 2015, designed by IBM to bring “Watson cognitive computing to IoT.”
Interestingly, this $200 million investment is not a trial to scale up the demand by customers looking to explore a combination of IoT and artificial intelligence. In fact, it comes as a response to the rising demand for the same by its existing customers. IBM has seen its clientele going up from 4,000 to 6,000 in a span of just 8 months. This speaks volumes about the accelerated adoption of such technologies.
Garner predicts that by 2020, more than half of new major business processes and systems will incorporate some element or the other of IoT. Something similar is reflected by IDC's 2016 global survey which suggests that 55% of respondents see IoT as strategic to their business and as a means to compete more effectively.
New Offerings & Updates
IBM announced some updates and new offering for developers and customers for its Watson IoT platform. The most exciting announcement is the new capacity that will connect IoT data to blockchain through the IBM Watson platform. Blockchain offers a secure, low-cost, hassle-free and efficient way to share IoT data across a private network of people and goods.
According to IBM, Finland based Kouvola innovation (Kinno) is integrating connected devices to a blockchain by using Watson platform. It says, “Using the technology, Kinno is developing a solution that tracks, monitors, and reports on container status and location of cargo ships at sea, and it further optimizes packing and transfer of shipments through shipping lanes.”
IBM is among the few technology giants which are actively involved in the blockchain technology that powers Bitcoin. In 2015, IBM threw its weight behind the Open Ledger Project by Linux Foundation, to help developers work on the blockchain technology. This initiative is part of IBM’s philosophy of working towards blockchain in a collaborative manner by consolidating efforts.
The other initiatives by IBM include opening of IBM Garages across global locations like London, New York, Singapore, and Tokyo to promote collaboration between IBM experts and developers on blockchain projects for businesses. In April 2016, IBM launched a highly secure blockchain service for financial services, government and healthcare on IBM Cloud.
With more information being transmitted through censors and servers, it becomes essential that the security system in place is not compromised, risking vital data, sensitive personal information, and records. IBM now has a new set of IoT security solutions and services to enable companies to identify potential risks. It offers companies “advanced security assessment, threat intelligence to identify anomalies, and data anonymization to ensure data privacy while maximizing data utility.”
It is estimated that by 2020, one-fourth of identified attacks in enterprises will involve IoT. It is further predicted that the “worldwide spending on IoT security will reach $348 million in 2016, a 23.7% increase from 2015 and further reach $547 million by2018.”
IBM’s Natural Language Interface is another exciting innovation as it will enable its customers to develop new voice interfaces using Watson IoT platform, in homes, stores, offices, cars or hotels. Watson powered Natural Language Interface is being used since June this year by Local Motors self-driving vehicle - Olli - to improve passenger experience and allow interaction with the vehicle. IBM is now also offering a cognitive IoT cookbook as a resource for developers.
IBM estimates that in the next two years, the Internet of Things (IoT) will be the single greatest source of data through interconnected sensors and devices embedded into innumerable physical systems. However, just gathering this kind of voluminous data doesn’t serve any meaningful purpose, processing capabilities to derive meaningful results from this data is the prime focus.
IBM scores above many other competitors with Watson IoT platform backed with its blockchain and IBM Cloud – providing a complete solution to enterprises.
Final Word
The current updates and new offerings on blockchain, security system as well as cognitive sense and capabilities of its platform will further strengthen IBM’s Watson IoT platform to be applied across different industries especially automotive, electronics, healthcare, insurance and manufacturing. The possibilities of the use of this technology are endless and it will encourage more and more innovations in various areas of human life.
Needless to say, IBM's growth and success depends much on these technologies and their adoption.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
