Short answer
The Internet of Things (IoT) means physical devices — sensors, equipment, machines — that are connected to the internet and exchange data. They can send measurements to the cloud, receive commands and work together with company software, for example reporting a fault or ordering materials automatically.
What an IoT solution consists of
- Device — a sensor or piece of equipment with a microcontroller.
- Connection — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (BLE), mobile networks or others.
- Data protocol — for example, MQTT or HTTP.
- Cloud or server — where data is received, processed and stored.
- App or system — reports, notifications, equipment control.
Why it matters now
Modern microcontrollers support modern communication protocols and have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so integrating hardware and software has never been this simple and accessible.
Examples
- Monitoring equipment status and running time in manufacturing.
- Temperature control in warehouses and transport.
- Controlling self-service equipment from a phone.
- Measuring stock — for example, how much liquid is left in bottles.
More: how businesses use IoT.