New efforts in the IoT space are aiming to help payment-enabled wearables and devices come to market faster, and assist grocery stores to leverage their existing sensors and other in-store tech for deeper customer insights and tightly targeted, in-the-moment marketing.
In the June Intelligence of Things Tracker, PYMNTS details the latest efforts from companies like Visa, Mastercard and Adobe to help businesses introduce new IoT applications and make better use of their existing connected tech.
Around The IoT World
Microsoft, Dell Technologies and VMware are partnering to create a new, integrated IoT solution. The solution is being designed to centralize IoT management and reduce the costs involved in running IoT networks on devices, as opposed to in the cloud. The solution will also work to improve predictive maintenance and supply chain visibility for businesses.
However, that trio isn’t the only collaboration making waves. Telecoms giant Vodafone recently forged its own team-up with IoT-connectivity and enterprise-mobility provider Asavie. Their collaboration is focused on providing businesses in Ireland with a SIM-based connectivity over narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) networks. Reportedly, the companies’ goal is to enable small businesses to adopt IoT-based solutions in a cost-effective way, while also making it easier for larger companies to try new IoT offerings.
Meanwhile, NXP Semiconductors, Visa and Mastercard are coming together to rollout a white label mobile wallet that’s intended to enable original equipment manufacturers to more easily incorporate payment features into their products. German luxury goods company Montblanc will be the first to implement it, embedding the technology into a smartwatch strap.
For the rest of the latest headlines, download the Tracker.
Using IoT To Drive Grocery Sales
Most grocery stores have been working to stock up on red, white and blue sheet cake, premade potato salad, hot dog buns and all the classic 4th of July goodies. However, if those seasonal items don’t sell soon, the stores will still need to move items before their expiration dates. Discounts and coupons can help encourage customers to buy these items, but it can be difficult for stores to know if they’re reaching the right people with the right promotions.
Michael Klein, director of industry strategy for retail, travel and CPG at Adobe, thinks IoT can keep good food from going bad. In a recent interview with PYMNTS, Klein explained how combining a cloud-based platform with a grocery store’s existing IoT tech can help the businesses better understand their customers and offer marketing to the right customer profile at the right time.
About the Tracker
The Intelligence of Things Tracker™ showcases companies that are leading the way in all aspects of the Intelligence of Things. Every month, the Tracker looks at what these companies are doing across the ecosystem and in several categories, including Personal, Home, Retail, Transportation, Wearable, Mobile, Infrastructure, Data and more.