In 2019, IBM is celebrating over 100 years as a pillar of the tech industry. But after more than a century, Big Blue is still at the forefront of innovation. The Internet of Things (IoT) is here – and IBM is using smart devices in some truly original ways.

The IoT is a global network of smart, internet-connected devices. It opens up new possibilities for management, communication, and business. And the applications range from personal devices – think smart fridges that can place an Amazon order – to some of the biggest, most complex industries in the world.

IBM already offers smart solutions for asset management, facilities management, and systems engineering. In this post, we’ll take a look at three of the most original ways that the company is using the IoT.

Creating Personalized Goods, on a Global Scale

The buzzword for consumer goods in 2019 is: personalization. Modern consumers want customized experiences that are designed for their needs, wants, and personal style.

Health and beauty brands have led the charge for personalized products, and L’Oréal is no exception. “We have one billion consumers, and they’re all different”, explains Stéphane Lannuzel, the Operations Chief Digital Officer at L’Oréal.

But that causes a problem for manufacturers: how do you create products that are tailored for an infinite range of skin types and tones, at scale?

The answer was empowering factory workers. In association with IBM, L’Oréal issued smart devices to their employees – so they can anticipate specific tasks, run safety checks, and handle a complex range of production processes. Instead of the traditional model of production lines, where workers control dumb machines, this is smart machines facilitating workers.

Helping Infrastructure Run Smoothly

CSX is the largest railroad in the eastern United States. That’s 21,000 route miles across the US and Canada, with over 5,000 facilities. And like any major transport company, CSX spends a lot of time and money on maintaining infrastructure.

Safety and quality of service are a concern, too. Under new legislation, trains have to send constant updates on their location and timely progress on a route. For CSX, that means keeping 3,600 locomotives online at all times.

So they turned to IBM for a solution. CSX uses the IBM Maximo Asset Management system to keep track of inventory, service requests and work orders for facilities and roadside equipment. With the IoT, every train, facility, and piece of maintenance equipment can stay in touch with headquarters on its own.

There’s no need to spend time searching for individual assets, and because information can be shared instantaneously, data accuracy and response times can improve. “Reliability is critical to [CSX’s] business,” says Tim McIver, Assistant Vice President of IT Operations at CSX. “The business enjoyed 99.85% availability [of assets] last year, and we’re shooting for 99.9 this year.”

Using Data to Improve Worker Safety

The mining industry is a key part of the global economy, and worth up to $600 billion worldwide. And in a competitive and logistically complex industry, mining businesses have to innovate all the time.

Sandvik develops new equipment for mining operations. However, in 2019, they know they have to go beyond supplying equipment. That’s why they teamed up with IBM to help mining operators streamline their processes – as well as use the latest technology.

“We’re really talking about process optimization, which is beyond just our equipment,” explains Patrick Murphy, President of Rock Drills and Technologies at Sandvik. “It’s about all aspects of the underground mine environment.”

Sharing information from the mines up to ground level is a key challenge. Sandvik used the IBM IoT platform to develop OptiMine: a full stack of digital tools for mining operations, including management, analytics, and predictive maintenance. Now their customers can rely on real-time data for every patch of ground and piece of equipment.

“Implementing the data allows us to run safer,” reports Luctor Roode, one of Sandvik’s customers at Petra Diamonds, “and we see productivity increasing significantly.”

What’s next for IBM and the Internet of Things?

So far, IBM and its IoT solutions have helped beauty brands, transport networks and mining companies become smarter and more efficient. But it doesn’t stop there.

The IoT is a game-changer for managing equipment, vehicles, buildings and infrastructure across almost every industry. Whatever comes next, IBM will be in the lead, as they continue to develop new applications at the Watson IoT Center in Munich, at the heart of European innovation.

About the Author

Tripp Black is a veteran IBM consultant and software developer with extensive experience in implementing modern cloud native and DevOps applications. He is one of many consultants at Stone Door Group, a DevOps Solutions Integrator, who is dedicated to helping customers execute on their digital transformation strategies. To learn more about Stone Door Group, drop us a line at letsdothis@stonedoorgrooup.com