Top 5 Manufacturing Internet of Things Use Cases

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IoT in manufacturing

By 2026, it is anticipated that IoT infrastructure in the industrial industry will total $400 billion. The growing interest may be linked to IoT’s ability to, among other things, enable remote production monitoring, improve data collecting, reduce manufacturing costs, and enable commodity customization. The purpose of this article is to explore these and additional IoT use cases in manufacturing.

1. Quality assurance

Increased product consistency is the goal of automating manufacturing using robots or equivalent technology. Utilizing thermal imaging to systematize quality control inspection is one technique to verify that is the case.

For instance, businesses may use heat sensors to observe where internal parts are located in relation to the reference item and confirm that the produced product meets the necessary requirements.

2. Fleet management

Buses and other cargo vehicles may have GPS trackers installed to collect data while on the go. Fleet management software may then use the data to determine, for example, how long it takes a truck to complete a route, allowing inventory and production managers to plan their employees’ workloads appropriately.

IoT enables proactive and efficient administration of transportation logistics, enabling the early detection of bottlenecks. Fleet management is one of the most significant IoT use cases in the whole manufacturing process, given the present supply chain difficulties.

3. Production monitored remotely

By integrating sensors into industrial machinery, it is possible to remotely monitor the pace of output in relation to inputs (raw materials), manpower, and time, among other factors. Following that, their study will provide useful information about the input-output ratio for optimization.

The fact that manufacturing is being remotely monitored is another advantage in itself. It has been essential for business continuity, especially during the pandemic, if activities could be carried out from anywhere as long as they were completed on time. For example, a production manager doesn’t need to be physically there to get a sense of the situation from his laptop anywhere around the globe.

4. A more secure workplace

Everyone engaged has the ability to work in a healthier atmosphere thanks to IoT devices and technology. HVAC sensors may be installed throughout the manufacturing facility. Air quality index (AQI) software examines the information air sensors have received to ensure the quality is consistent with the intended paradigm.

A firm that specializes in face recognition is FaceMe. When workers have not worn their masks correctly, the system may detect this and alert the appropriate party. This technique could help halt the spread of viruses among the workforce, especially as masks are a strong defense against the transmission of COVID-19.

Production managers might lessen the possibility of worker liabilities and safety-violation litigation in addition to satisfying their moral and legal commitments by providing a safe workplace for the employees.

5. Personalized upkeep

In addition to the others previously mentioned, vibration and humidity sensors may all continuously provide data that can be examined for preventive maintenance.

These sensors will notify staff if inspections or proactive maintenance are necessary, similar to the engine oil indication on autos. The sooner this maintenance is done, the less downtime the machinery will have, and thus, there will be less production interruption.

Several data-driven providers are available online for those who are interested in using predictive maintenance software for their company.

The convergence of all of the ideas above could lead to a more productive workforce. Automating time-consuming and repetitive operations allows the workforce to concentrate on more complex tasks.

Smart wearables like industrial smartwatches might also enable real-time data exchange between employees and equipment. For instance, the wristwatch would automatically warn maintenance employees in the event of an assembly line failure, and they will then alert the appropriate people for workload modifications.

Alternatively, the facility manager may immediately view the fleet management software information on the wristwatch to prepare to accept and store a fresh batch of products.

7 reasons why your organization needs website security

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security logo

Regardless of the size of a firm, a website security breach may have serious consequences. This is because a corporation must spend an average of over $1.7 million to repair the harm caused by a cyberattack. This might force a small to medium business to immediately shut down its operations and a large company to do the same in a few weeks. Here are a few explanations as to why maintaining the online security of your website is so crucial for your company’s operations, even if you operate a tiny business and believe you may not have the budget to do so.

Gives you competitive leverage

The good news is that you can keep one step ahead of the competition if you take the appropriate precautions to safeguard your website. This is due to the fact that website security greatly reduces your chance of exposure, whilst your rivals continue to be vulnerable to online dangers. Make sure your website is not being attacked, since this happens often to websites.

Protects your clients first

Protecting your customers’ information first is one of the best digital safety recommendations for companies. The majority of people nowadays rely on websites to provide them with the various goods and services they use on a daily basis. Customers may provide you their entire social security numbers, dates of birth, names, credit card details, and even dates of purchase. For malicious hackers who would try to steal this private data, this represents a jackpot. Don’t provide cyber criminals with this opportunity. Protect customer information, encrypt it before it is transferred anywhere, and implement internal controls to ensure that your staff members are aware of the significance of protecting this sensitive data.

Protects Your Credibility

Because a hack might harm your reputation, protecting your website is essential for the future of your company. A significant security breach on your website resulting in negative headlines is perhaps the worst feeling imaginable. Corporate websites are often targeted by hackers in today’s world, and this bad publicity only impedes the development of a brand. Protect your website to avoid this predicament and maintain the public’s perception of you as a reliable organization in your sector.

Keeps Your Private Information Safe

Additionally, a lot of companies develop private data, programs, and systems that are not accessible to the general public. An unsecured website might be seen by a skilled hacker as a goldmine for accessing the activities of your business. If your trade secrets are revealed, this might cost you money. Hackers could even alter crucial information on your website, forcing you to rebuild it from scratch. This is why backing up a website should be a top concern for all businesses. Even cloud services used by a website are susceptible to attacks. Therefore, secure your website effectively to avoid this from occurring.

Prevents Sales Losses

A hack may also result in prodigious amounts of downtime and lost output. This translates into potential lost sales for you. Every company owner is aware of how crucial consistent sales are to the survival of their enterprise. In other words, unsecured websites endanger not just the firm’s security but also its own survival since a loss of too many sales can force the company to permanently shut its doors.

Brings you mental tranquility

Finally, managing a company is challenging enough without worrying about cyberattacks all the time. Even while you may not be capable of defeating all the bad in the world, you can prevent them from getting to you by putting precautions in place, which will discourage them from targeting your business. Feel confident knowing that your website is fully protected and that you are taking further precautions to safeguard what you have created. You should even go so far as to implement a standardized policy to ensure that everyone in the company is aware of how crucial website security is to the business.

Secures Your Assets

Protecting your physical equipment is a part of securing your website. This is due to the fact that hackers have the ability to steal your customers’ personal information as well as to infect your website with viruses that might harm your hardware. As a company owner, you are aware of the financial commitment required to acquire sophisticated equipment for operating your enterprise. Now consider the huge expenses associated with having viruses that severely harm your systems, needing to hire a specialist to remove the viruses from your computers, or, in the worst case scenario, having to replace your equipment because the damage is irreparable completely.

Therefore, even though cybercriminals are a constant danger to companies, you may reduce the chances that this will happen to you by taking proactive steps to safeguard your online presence. Your website has to be secure online. Reduce your vulnerabilities by proactively safeguarding your business right now.

 The 10 Characteristics Of A Security Guard

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man wearing jacket and peaked cap grayscale photo

Has it ever crossed your mind, the thought of working as a security guard? Ever thought of the characteristics that make a good guard? If you live in the U.S and you are looking to work for a security company, then continue reading this article to find out the must-have qualifications to become a security guard.

What Characteristics and skills are required for a security guard?

There are times when hiring a security guard is critical to the success of a business. Whether you are looking for extra security for events or need personal VIP service and close protection, the b role of a security guard is to eliminate potential problems before they become threats.

That is why a security guard should always have some essential characteristics. Below, we highlight the ten basic traits of an excellent security guard.

1- Honesty and Integrity

A security guard must be trustworthy. Honesty is essential to building and maintaining trust. These qualities are so fundamental that companies often require background checks to assure that a security guard doesn’t have a criminal record or a history of dishonesty.

2- Extensive training 

Sufficient training is a prerequisite for any successful security guard. The best security guards will have undergone extensive training to help them acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfill their role.  

3- Relevant Experience

The best security guards have a high level of experience and handle a range of threats and scenarios, whether you need event stewards for a festival or witness protection for a high-profile case. Some security guards might have military experience or experience handling hostile, high-risk situations to ensure that any potential issues are covered.

4- Vigilance

Being able to think on your feet and recognize when to act is fundamental. A security guard must identify a potential threat or disruption quickly and effectively, assessing the situation, people, and environment as effectively as possible.

5- Lead and follow

Knowing when to lead and when to follow the rules are two crucial qualities a security guard must possess. Leadership ability is imperative to maintaining client safety. A good security guard will know when to impose the necessary practices and common sense to eradicate a possible threat.

6- Communication

Whether your security guard works as a team or individually, they must communicate with articulation and understanding. 

7- Fitness

Maintaining high levels of physical fitness is a crucial quality of any security guard, as they are likely to be very active throughout their working day. There may be instances where a security guard needs to patrol a large area or outrun a criminal in your establishment.  

8- Attitude

A good security guard will be calm but assured at all times. These skills are essential for resolving conflict situations. In addition, showing respect for those they work with is a fundamental part of their job.

9- Stealth

There are occasions when a security guard will need to be visibly present, but it is essential to know when and how to mingle to reduce the impact or disruption an incident may cause.

10- Motivated

The best security guards are passionate about their work, driven to help people and those who value human life above all else. These are the most dedicated, loyal, and hardworking security guards.

10 Smart Home Technology Stocks You Should Buy Right Now

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We go through 10 smart home technology stocks to purchase right now in this post.

People and businesses are turning to smart home developers to provide technology and amenities that encourage ease and automation as customers want cutting-edge designs, efficiency, and innovation in their homes and places of work. The market for smart homes was estimated to be worth $79.13 billion in 2020, and it is anticipated to increase to $313.95 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 25.3% from 2021 to 2026.

Global demand for and implementation of smart home technologies are projected to expand due to the ongoing rise in internet users. The market for smart homes is growing because to falling prices for smart sensors, increased IoT usage, rising consumer expenditure, and rising demand for energy efficiency.

Despite technological developments, there are still a number of problems that customers must deal with while using smart home solutions. The smart home industry will develop rapidly in the future because houses can be seamlessly connected, but the major companies in the market have already added a ton of value for consumers.

Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI), Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) are a few of the most well-known smart home technology stocks. Other important ones are covered in more depth below.

Our Technique

We chose smart home technology companies with growth potential, favorable sentiment among hedge funds, and generally favorable analyst evaluations.

The fourth quarter of 2021 data from 924 top-tier hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey was utilized to determine how the hedge funds felt about the holdings.

Stocks in smart home technology to buy right now:

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)

Holders of Hedge Funds: 279

Using Alexa, Amazon.com, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) intelligent personal assistant service, the Echo smart speakers can command a number of smart appliances and serve as a center for home automation.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) released its fourth quarter results on February 3. The company reported earnings per share of $27.75, which was $24.09 higher than expected. The $137.41 billion in sales increased by 9.44 percent on a yearly basis.

On February 18, Ivan Feinseth, a Tigress Financial analyst, increased the price target for Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) to $4,655 from $4,460 while maintaining a Buy rating for the stock. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), which reported “record results” thanks to a successful Christmas quarter, allayed concerns that the corporation was about to slow down. In 2022, the analyst expects Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) will continue to benefit from “powerful growth drivers” such the expansion of AWS cloud services and Amazon Prime.com.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) had positive hedge fund sentiment in Q4 2021 as seen by the rise from 242 to 279 of top funds’ long holdings in the business. One of the major owners in Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is Fisher Asset Management, which has a $7.2 billion holding in the business.

In its Q4 2021 investor letter, Polen Focus Growth made the following comments on Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN):

“Amazon has fallen behind during the previous 15 months. In order to differentiate itself from the competition and meet increased demand, the firm must now surpass the substantial revenue windfall it earned in 2020 while simultaneously managing supply chain interruptions, wage inflation, and investments. We believe that these headwinds are passing and just temporary. These short-term expenditures and inefficiencies are increasing the poor (actually negative) margins of Amazon’s first-party ecommerce operation. However, over time, margins should increase significantly due to the massive, rapidly expanding, higher-margin industries like advertising, AWS, and Amazon Prime.

Our assessment of Amazon’s prospects for long-term growth and margin expansion has not altered, and the value has just gotten more alluring. According to our analysis, Amazon has the potential to provide among the greatest returns across our Focus Growth portfolio if our predictions for free cash flow growth over the next five years come true. Just after Alphabet, it is now our second-largest position.

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)

Holders of Hedge Funds: 158

Google Nest, a division of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), offers a variety of smart home products, such as smart speakers, streaming devices, smoke detectors, and security systems.

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), which released its Q4 earnings report on February 1, reported EPS of $30.69, above projections by $3.41. Revenue increased 32.39 percent year over year to $75.33 billion during the year, exceeding projections by $3.50 billion.

In Q4 2021, top hedge funds have sizable holdings in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). 158 hedge funds were positive on Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), up from 156 funds in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database. One of the largest shareholders in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) was TCI Fund Management, which owned 2.95 million shares worth $8.5 billion.

In its investor letter for Q4 2021, Polen Focus Growth has the following to say about Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG):

“Alphabet was among the top performers for the whole year. The business of Alphabet is still growing at what we consider to be a healthy rate. The company’s third-quarter sales increased by 40% year over year, and it expects to generate an additional $70 billion in revenue in 2021.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Holders of hedge funds: 134

The main smart house technological advancement made by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is HomeKit, which enables customers to operate smart home products using Apple devices. HomeKit enables the control and integration of several smart home gadgets via a communication protocol.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) released its Q4 financial results on January 27, exceeding predictions by $0.21 and reporting profits per share of $2.10. Additionally, by $5.41 billion, the $123.95 billion in sales exceeded consensus expectations.

On January 27, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share, the same as before. Shareholders who had a record on February 7 received the dividend on February 10 after the record date.

Following the release of the company’s “record” Q1 earnings, Tigress Financial analyst Ivan Feinseth increased the price target for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to $210 from $198 and kept a Strong Buy rating on the shares. The analyst notes that his target would potentially represent a return of close to 25% from current levels and that he believes there is still more upside in the shares owing to robust product demand, new product releases, and rising services revenue.

In Q4 2021, Berkshire Hathaway has the largest position in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), with more than 887 million shares worth $157.5 million. Hedge fund sentiment grew overall in the fourth quarter as 134 funds maintained long positions in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), up from 120 funds a quarter earlier.

In its Q4 2021 investor letter, Alger Spectra Fund makes the following comments regarding Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL):

“Apple is a top provider of technology in the fields of computing, communications, and services. The company’s distinctive intellectual property and competitive advantage is the iOS operating system. With the help of this software, businesses and customers are more closely engaged, which encourages consumers to buy more high-margin services like music, apps, and Apple Pay. On the strength of significant margin realization caused by a sales mix of more profitable services, Apple’s quarterly earnings beat street expectations. Given the much increased freight costs and supply issues that delayed the realization of around $6 billion in sales, the margin strength was even more noteworthy.

Honeywell Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:HON)

51 investors in hedge funds

The American global company Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON) offers heating, cooling, security, lighting, and intelligent products through its Home and Building Control division, which is specifically focused on smart home technologies. On February 3, Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON) released its Q4 financial results, with profits per share of $2.09, $0.01 higher than expected.

After Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HONQ4 )’s earnings and below-consensus guidance, UBS analyst Markus Mittermaier reduced his price target for the stock to $220 from $237 on February 15. He maintained a Buy rating on the shares though and sees potential upside from current levels.

On February 11, Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.98 per share, the same as before. To stockholders with records as of February 25, the dividend will be paid on March 11.

The corporate management said on February 3 that Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON) has excellent initiatives that would bring in money for investors despite a difficult supply chain condition.

51 hedge funds, up from 45 firms the quarter before, were positive on Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON) in Q4 2021, according to the Insider Monkey database. The largest shareholder of Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON), with 1.6 million shares valued at $342.4 million, was D E Shaw.

In its investor letter for Q1 2021, ClearBridge Investments has the following to say about Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON):

“The quality bias and valuation discipline of the portfolio have historically produced impressive returns, often with excellent relative performance in more difficult conditions, as it did through the first three quarters of 2020. In contrast, the same quality bias tends to make the Strategy’s relative performance environment more difficult during times of rapid economic growth, which often favors equities that are more closely tied to commodities or have lesser quality. This has been the case during the most recent quarter as well as the stimulus- and vaccine-driven boom that occurred late last year. Industrials were among the sectors that underperformed in the quarter, and Honeywell underperformed as well, despite having historically produced high returns over long periods of time.

Synaptics Inc. (NASDAQ:SYNA)


Holders of Hedge Funds: 23

The California-based corporation Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA) creates human interface software for automobiles and smart home gadgets. The largest shareholder in Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA) was Fisher Asset Management, which owned more than 1 million shares worth $311.1 million.

Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA) released its Q4 earnings on February 3. The firm beat projections by $0.14 and reported profits per share of $3.26. Revenue for the time period increased by 17.59% year over year to $420.50 million, exceeding expectations by $716,670. Shares of Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA) increased by 8% after reporting record gross margins for the fourth quarter.

On February 4, Rajvindra Gill, a Needham analyst, increased the price objective on Synaptics Incorporated’s (NASDAQ:SYNA) shares to $340 from $320 while maintaining a Buy rating. The analyst highlights the firm’s “strong” Q4 beat and raised outlook while also pointing out that Synaptics Incorporated’s (NASDAQ:SYNA) range of smart home accessories is the widest and most comprehensive in the sector.

Similar to Apple Inc., Resideo Technologies Inc., Honeywell International Inc., and Resideo Technologies Inc. (NYSE:REZI), Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA) offers a desirable entry point into the market for smart homes (NASDAQ:AAPL).

Recipro Technologies, Inc. (Trading on NYSE as REZI)


Holders of Hedge Funds: 24

The American business Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI) creates smart home and software solutions, including security systems, home automation, and fire detection equipment. Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI) posted a GAAP EPS of $0.45 on February 15 that was $0.08 more than expected.

On February 7, Resideo Technologies (NYSE:REZI) and Newell Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:NWL) reached an agreement to buy First Alert, a manufacturer of home security devices, for $593 million in all cash. Similar to this, Resideo Technologies (NYSE:REZI) bought Arrow Wire & Cable, a prominent regional distributor of data communications, networking, and security solutions, on February 15 from a Chinese privately held firm.

In its investor letter for the first quarter of 2021, ClearBridge Investments made the following comments on Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI):

“Recenter additions” New management teams at Resideo Technologies, a distributor of goods for the home that increase comfort, safety, and energy efficiency, are better at allocating money, streamlining production, and enhancing procurement. The business has a great chance to increase returns, which ought to boost earnings and multiples.

Vacasa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCSA)


Holders of Hedge Funds: 17

An American firm called Vacasa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCSA) rents out vacation homes and is utilizing smart home technology in its 35,000 properties to make sure that guests have a nice stay and are considerate neighbors. Keyless access and decibel monitoring are two examples of these intelligent automation solutions.

On February 16, JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth began following Vacasa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCSA) and gave the company an Overweight rating and a $10 price target. Anmuth informs investors in a positive note that Vacasa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCSA) is the largest end-to-end vacation rental management platform with a focus on helping homeowners. He thinks Vacasa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCSA) benefited from a high demand for alternative lodging during the recovery because it “solidly executed” supply procurement, local operations, and distribution before and throughout the epidemic. The analyst predicts that Vacasa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCSA) will continue to work closely with Expedia Group, Booking Holdings, and Airbnb as a strategic partner.

17 hedge funds were positive on Vacasa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCSA), according to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, with total positions of over $765 million.

SmartRent, Inc. 8. (NYSE:SMRT)
Holders of Hedge Funds: 17

An organization called SmartRent, Inc. (NYSE:SMRT) sells hardware and software for home automation solutions, serving both homeowners and house builders with its goods and services.

In an operational update released on January 11 by SmartRent, Inc. (NYSE:SMRT), units deployed for Q4 and FY 2021 were estimated to be 51,000 and 167,000, respectively, up 69 and 100% year over year.

On January 4, SmartRent (NASDAQ:SMRT) purchased iQuue, an east coast-based provider of open-architecture smart apartments with approximately 22,000 installed and committed units. The transaction is anticipated to increase SmartRent’s yearly recurring income by around $2 million (NASDAQ:SMRT).

In Q4 2021, 17 hedge funds that Insider Monkey tracks were positive on SmartRent (NASDAQ:SMRT), with a total investment of $115.7 million. In the last quarter, 15 funds owned shares in SmartRent (NASDAQ:SMRT) worth $213.8 million.

Universal Electronics Incorporated (Trading on NASDAQ as UEIC)

An Arizona-based firm called Universal Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ:UEIC) creates and sells IoT gadgets, smart thermostats, virtual assistants for smart homes, universal remote controls, and home sensors.

In Q4 2021, 7 hedge funds reported having interests in Universal Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ:UEIC) for a total of $8.4 million, compared to 10 firms who had stakes in the company for a total of $9.2 million in the previous quarter. The largest shareholder in the business was AQR Capital Management, which owned 66,674 shares worth $2.7 million.

Institutional investors are increasingly paying attention to Universal Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ:UEIC), which is rapidly overtaking rivals Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI), Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).

Pre-programmed universal wireless remote controllers for home audio and video entertainment systems are created and produced by Universal Electronics. Shares of the company underperformed in the quarter, in large part because of the predicted shortfall in global semiconductors, which is likely to have an immediate effect on business operations. The pandemic’s aftereffects are also proving to be only a slight hindrance since technician-required in-home installs of the company’s goods are still below pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, the business is seeing considerable margin increase as it pursues increasingly complex, software-intensive products, which are anticipated to be a big driver of future development.