Streaming Analytics and the Internet of Things

In an Internet of Things (IoT) environment, machines, sensors, and devices are connected to networks and data systems. These things or smart objects produce large volumes of fast moving data with huge potential for insight generation. Aberdeen has surveyed hundreds of organizations engaging data generated by the Internet of Things and recent Aberdeen research has focused on organizations that have invested in streaming data integration and analytics to convert IoT data into actionable insight.

So what kind of impact is stream computing for the Internet of Things having on organizations? Aberdeen performed a side-by-side comparison of organizations with and without streaming data capabilities and asked users a series of questions about their analytical experience (Figure 1). Every decision has a window of time when information is valuable. But decisions also have deadlines, and if information arrives too late, the opportunity to make the call based on analytical insights is lost.

Figure 1: The Impact of Streaming Data

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Source: Aberdeen Group, February 2015

Users with streaming data integration and analytics obtain information within the decision window 76% of the time, or 27% more often than all other organizations. This means that users with streaming data can base 27% more decisions on data as its generated by the Internet of Things, rather than acting on instinct, intuition, or incomplete information. Streaming capabilities handle high data throughput rates and enable decision makers to form insights from the Internet of Things in time to make a difference.

Aberdeen also asked how streaming data impacts user satisfaction and improvement efforts around Internet of Things analytics. Compared to the rest of Aberdeen’s survey pool, organizations with streaming data integration and analytics have over twice as many users per capita that are satisfied with the speed of information delivery. Real-time data engagement lets users ingest information as it arrives from a multitude of sources in an Internet of Things environment. Organizations that invest in high speed data architecture and infrastructure will see returns in the form of happier users analyzing data as it’s generated. With overall satisfaction rates below 50%, however, even users with streaming capabilities clearly want more IT dollars spent on getting Internet of Things data in front of the right people faster.

Computing speeds continue to accelerate, but so does the pace of decision making. Business leaders are pressed to act quickly regardless of the complexity or volume of information that needs to be analyzed. Streaming integration and analytics help decision makers be faster and more intelligent. When compared to non-adopters, adopters have fifty-five percent (55%) more users per capita that improved their speed of decision making over the past year.

Real-time data feeds enable users to analyze constantly churning information as it changes. Viewing events as they unfold accelerates action. Decision makers can detect both threats and opportunities in fast moving data and act immediately. Real-time integration lets analysts immediately compare new data to historical data to put current conditions in context. Nobody has to wait for information to be compiled and decisions are not delayed by drawn out data processes.

The Internet of Things creates a constant stream of potential insight waiting for the right minds in possession of the right technology. Streaming data integration and analytics offer a chance for enlightened organizations to use superior analytics to gain a competitive advantage.

Read the Aberdeen report Real-Time Analytics and the Internet of Things