Advances in Connected Worker Technology
Next , we explore a set of technologies that are not only maturing , but also converging to enable business value across industries . We illustrate this trend by focusing on a concept we describe as “ connected workers .”
CONNECTED WORKER TECHNOLOGY
Remote connectivity allows for seamless interactions between individuals that may not be colocated , opening opportunities for a more connected workforce , both from a relational and technological standpoint . As it relates to technology , connected workers are enabled through a combination of hardware and software innovations . In the following sections , we explore two technology innovations that make the concept of connected worker possible .
Internet of Things
The term Internet of Things , or “ IoT ,” was first coined in 1999 6 and has since been widely adopted , but its definition differs depending on who is asked , from academicians , researchers , practitioners , innovators , developers , or corporate stakeholders . The field of IoT is commonly over-simplified into just “ sensors ” or “ smart devices ,” but it is more appropriate to apply a systemic viewpoint . The vast amount of data generated in today ’ s world not only needs capturing , but it also requires processing , transporting , securing , analyzing , and visualizing , just to name a few functions .
In particular , the compute functions , when localized to a site and / or when distributed across a network are commonly known as “ edge compute ,” as opposed to a centralized compute function in the cloud . Having compute , storage , and some intelligent processing at the “ edge ” allows for the overall IoT network to be resilient , scalable and more amenable to growth for both devices and the network traffic . In this paper , we refer to IoT as the entire system that allows for data to be turned into insights .
For the purpose of this discussion , we accept the definition of IoT as an “ open and comprehensive network of intelligent objects that can auto-organize , share information , data and resources , and react in face of situations and changes in the environment .” From that definition , we focus on intelligent wearable devices with an ability to share information and data . These tools are also entry points ; i . e ., edge devices for digital data to be fed into other systems , such as ERPs , Asset Management Systems , CRMs , etc .
Extended Reality
Over the last five years , significant progress has been achieved in a field commonly referred to as “ extended reality ”, or “ XR .” Figure 1 provides an overview of the continuum ranging from real
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