These days, we’re bombarded with myriad buzzwords – from “big data” to “virtualisation”, from “hashtags” to “selfies.” All relevant and current, a realworld representation of the connected nature of our modern day lives. One vital term though, is “The Internet of Things” or “IoT” for short. Where anything and everything from your smartphone, fridge, sensors in your car, smartwatch, personal activity tracker is interconnected.
According to Gartner, there could be as many as 25 billion devices connected to the Internet by 2015, and 50 billion by 2020. As a result, the accumulation of big data stores is expected to hit 35ZB of data, which will generate US$2 trillion in value by 2020.
At an industry roundtable session recently, Intel Malaysia and the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) jointly outlined a strategic vision for the Internet of Things in Malaysia. The Intel-MDeC partnership will facilitate the development of Internet of Things in Malaysia by building a framework to guide Malaysian technopreneurs.
Prakash Mallya, Country Manager Sales and Marketing Intel Malaysia and Singapore, said at the roundtable, “The term “the Internet of Things” was actually coined nearly 20 years ago by professors at MIT to describe a world where “things,” which can be devices or sensors, are both smart and connected, with the ability to collect and share data,” he continued, “In Malaysia, Intel has been working with local talent to develop the groundwork and foundations of IoT via our Intelligent Systems Group based out of Intel in Penang.”
Mallya went on to say that Intel is at the centre of a vibrant ecosystem of organisations – including government regulators and agencies such as MDeC, catalysts for the development of IoT in industries and applications everywhere.
“From a broad perspective, the global digital economy is expected to grow to RM156.5 Trillion by 2020,” said Hasannudin Saidin, Director of Digital Entrepreneurs division in MDeC. “In addition to that, the strong growth of domestic demand for digital products and services presents huge opportunities for Malaysian digital entrepreneurs.”
Intel’s IoT focus spans from Quark to Xeon; devices to datacenters; hardware and software, security and devices – delivering products and technologies that “embed intelligence into everyday objects.” Intel is also focused on transforming businesses through its new Intel Gateway Solutions – connecting legacy devices to the cloud and enabling vital end-to-end analytics.
Sim Hon Wai, General Manager of MDT Innovations Sdn Bhd, was present at the roundtable session to make a case for opportunities in IoT.
MDT Innovations, with its innovative NFC solution in a SIM card enabling all mobile phones to be NFC tags, garnered the top award in the Communications category at the International APICTA Award Ceremony 2013. MDT tripled their growth in revenue after it shifted focus to IoT devices.
For more of Intel’s IoT solutions, visit Intel.com.