IoT - Microsoft Industry Blogs

two people looking at computer parts holding a tablet

Published April 12, 2021

4 min read

How to avoid vendor lock-in and guide your Industrial IoT solutions

Since we started the Azure Industrial IoT team six years ago, one topic that tends to dominate the business decision-maker meetings I’ve participated in: vendor lock-in.

Published April 1, 2021

5 min read

How IoT tracking in retail supply chains drives ROI

The return on investment (ROI) story behind internet of things (IoT) tracking in retail supply chains is compelling—especially for shipments with a high inventory value, cold chains, or when on-time delivery is critical. With specialized IoT sensors, retailers can keep tabs on location and other valuable information like temperature, humidity, and vibration.

a group of people standing in front of a mirror posing for the camera

Published January 19, 2021

5 min read

5 IoT retail trends for 2021

In 2020 we saw retailers hard hit by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with dozens of retailers—Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney, and Brooks Brothers to name a few— declaring bankruptcy. During the unprecedented chaos of lockdowns and social distancing, consumers accelerated their shift to online shopping. Retailers like Target and Best Buy saw online sales double while Amazon’s e–commerce sales grew 39 percent.

Published May 28, 2020

4 min read

How healthcare partners are using IoT to adapt with agility

The urgent and widespread impact of the global health pandemic is shining a light on the healthcare industry and the critical need for continued, rapid transformation. In response, Microsoft partners are applying advanced technologies such as the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to create solutions that are enabling healthcare workers to deliver quality care to more people while keeping patients and providers safer.

Published January 30, 2020

3 min read

How OPC UA complements our open IIoT approach

The rise of Industry 4.0 has transformed the manufacturing industry, making it imperative to connect factories and plants with their disparate data sources to maintain a competitive edge. Manufacturers can no longer be limited by proprietary technology and siloed data.

Published October 31, 2019

3 min read

Transforming smart cities with AI, IoT, and cloud technologies

According to the United Nations, more than 55 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas—and by 2050, that number could jump to 68 percent.

Published September 24, 2019

4 min read

How companies are speeding their IoT revolution

This blog is the fourth in a series highlighting our newest research, IoT Signals.

View of a large city with tall buildings in the background

Published September 5, 2019

4 min read

Solve the IoT security paradox to unleash innovation

This blog is the second in a series highlighting our newest research, IoT Signals.

Header photo of a truck moving around manufacturing locations

Published August 20, 2019

4 min read

How manufacturers became world leaders in IoT adoption

This blog is the first in a series highlighting our newest research, IoT Signals.

Factory engineer inspecting the work process of the robots performing their operations in appliance manufacturing factory.

Published July 29, 2019

4 min read

Creating an open industrial IoT ecosystem

Global-efficiency dashboards. Predictive maintenance. Asset monitoring. New, digitally enabled lines of business. Automation companies, machine builders, and manufacturers are capitalizing on these and other industrial IoT (IIoT) capabilities to wring maximum value from their operations.