The Internet of Things (IoT) implies the network of physical objects, devices, and sensors connected to the internet and communicating with each other. On the other hand, The Internet of Everything (IoE) is a broader term that encompasses the Internet of Things but further. Its goal is to create a more comprehensive and intelligent system by integrating data from various sources, including devices, people, and systems, to gain deeper insights and drive better solutions.
Starting with retail in 1999, IoT expanded to other verticals such as industrial processes, transportation, agriculture, healthcare, and energy. Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses devices that communicate through diverse connectivity options, such as cellular networks, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Power Line Communication, and other technologies that provide safe data transfer. The examples range from tiny IoT modules to wearable electronic devices and smart meters. At its core, an IoT device is a sensor that collects and transmits data through a network. These sensors may be connected to actuators, enabling control over physical devices. They can also establish connections with other devices or applications.
The term IoE describes the vast potential for connectivity to enhance the industries. While IoT now encompasses specific use cases like smart grids, smart buildings, and smart farming, IoE encompasses People-to-People (P2P), Machine-to-People (M2P), and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connections. Many of the use cases identified by Cisco in The Internet of Everything Value Index Study have materialized and are now referred to as IoT use cases. However, some areas, such as telecommuting, are not strictly considered IoT. Activities like participating in Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings utilize the internet but fall under the broader domain of general internet usage, rather than IoT. IoE primarily emphasizes the industries and processes that can benefit from IoT connectivity, rather than individual use cases.
IoT has become the prevalent term to describe the growing landscape of connected technology and its use cases. A smart irrigation system or smart agriculture fall under the IoT category. These solutions involve multiple interconnected sensors interacting with physical devices, individuals, and applications. While some IoT solutions may align with the broader scope of IoE, the usage of IoT has become more widespread and encompasses the entire ecosystem of devices, data, people, and processes that enable these solutions. Thus, referring to these solutions as "IoT" remains a common and less confusing practice. Despite alternative definitions suggesting that IoE builds upon IoT or represents the next phase, IoE has not gained the same level of recognition as IoT even after a decade. These perceived differences are mostly semantic, as IoT encompasses not only physical devices but also all interconnected "things," including networks and applications that facilitate interactions with humans. Find a few examples of IoT vs IoE below:
| Internet of Things (IoT) | Internet of Everything (IoE) |
|---|---|---|
Smart Home | Automated lighting and temperature control, smart appliances, security systems. | Integrated smart home systems that connect devices, people, and data for enhanced automation, energy management, and personalized experiences. |
Industrial IoT | Remote monitoring of equipment, predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization. | End-to-end connectivity and data integration across the entire industrial ecosystem, including machines, workers, logistics, and analytics for improved productivity, safety, and efficiency. |
Healthcare | Wearable health trackers, remote patient monitoring, smart medical devices. | Integrated healthcare systems that connect patients, healthcare providers, medical devices, and data analytics to enable personalized treatments, telemedicine, and real-time health monitoring. |
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