Page 12 - Logistics News August 2016

IoT

IoE – Instant on-line Education,
Employment and Economy

By Doug Hunter, doug.hunter@mweb.co.za

Apps and gadgets are cool, great fun. But it’s time for industry to apply this
technology responsibly to accelerate our developing nation – while our government

plans and plays catch up.

THE INTERNET of Things (IoT), connection of Can the IoT help our crisis? Of course. Instead
everything will help the world for sure – bringing of investment in corporate charity T-shirts connect
greater accuracy, immediacy and granularity citizens with smart-shirts alerting and locating
of information to all who desire or need it. In a need for nutrition, warmth and security. In a
my 20 Mb Connected home, should my tourist country (and continent) bulging with youth but
Paulaner beer glass push-notify me via iPhone strained education, provide cheap or free smart
that the temperature is not perfect – it will tell devices or Apple Watches instead of toys to
me it’s 12,13 degC but should be exactly 10 degC? monitor and help education progress. Enabling
As a result my home will be re calibrated – the donor-funded logistics company forecasts to
fridge thermostat lowered, heating adjusted to more accurately locate where distribution is
compensate for increased heat pump effects, needed.
geyser timer adjusted to compensate power
consumption keeping my utility bill below penalty Optimise temporary workforces with a
tariffs. All this instead of simply playing a German company App or text to available registered or
bier-garten sound bite when I bang it on the table. previously employed labour to flex capacity –
Is this adding value? To some maybe, but there are skilled or unskilled people who have done the job
other priorities. before. This can enhance stability and productivity
of operations rather than constant retraining.
Post Brexit Europe is in ‘turmoil’ – IMF stats
show UK growth dropped 0,2% to 3,1% for this year In logistics we already use IoT with RFID
and more to 1,3% in 2017. The same IMF forecasts tags, load cells and weighbridges, tachometers
for South Africa, which started optimistically last and tracking devices. But we need to think
year at around 2% then 1%, are now 2016 at just latterly to move IoT from novelty to practical
0,1% and 0,3% for 2017 – problem is our population innovation enabling our economy to grow. It
is increasing at 1,7%. Unemployment, basic foods sounds Orwellian but logisticians and industrialists
and social costs will increase hugely as a result. need to fix social issues in concert with business
We need action. With growth currently 1/30th of a improvement. African governments are 30 years
troubled UK, we need intensive care. behind those of our trading partners and may be
for years – so think Orwell’s 1984 but act 2020. •

10 August 2016 | Logistics News