Creating leaders in connectivity: How SA enterprises can embrace IoT

The modern business is a connected one, and that goes for any business in South Africa, no matter the model or industry. During the last two decades, organisations have adopted technologies that have transformed their physical and IT operations, with many of those technologies bridging the gap between the two environments.

One of those technologies is IoT, which has proven itself to be a driver of business growth, whether it’s by unlocking new revenue streams, enhancing operations, or increasing productivity. Indeed, IoT sits at the crossroads of technology trends that are set to affect the security sector and others in 2026, including business customers taking an “ecosystem-first” approach to technology purchasing decisions, the growth of edge computing, and the evolution of hybrid architectures.

That said, enterprise adoption of IoT does come with challenges and demands a long-term, committed approach. By knowing best practices and understanding how to deploy IoT devices and build networks effectively, businesses can take their first steps to becoming smart and connected enterprises.

Facing challenges and making commitments Increasing cloud adoption and improving spectrum availability are among the factors driving South Africa’s growing IoT market.[2] At the same time, while demand for hardware remains consistent, an increasing adoption of managed services shows businesses are prioritising insight over device ownership.

This is an important development as managed services and end-to-end solutions enable local businesses to overcome key obstacles in deploying IoT devices, including data security and privacy, integration complexity, and regulatory obligations.

According to a recent study published by Axis Communications and ThoughtLab of businesses across North America, EMEA and the Asia-Pacific regions, as IoT devices multiply, fragmented legacy systems can hinder integration and scalability, while siloes and data management hurdles can prevent businesses’ efforts to extract value from their data.

The conclusion to draw is that embracing IoT not only takes time, but is also a long-term commitment on the part of business leaders. It requires significant investments in hardware and software, the upskilling of workforce members, and a need for skilled expertise in terms of installation and maintenance.

The makings of a connectivity leader According to the Axis ThoughtLab study, leaders in IoT set themselves apart from the rest in five key ways:

• Leaders deploy and integrate an array of IoT devices, combining them to create a holistic view of their operations.
• Leaders build multiple use cases to achieve a wider set of goals, taking a broad approach to IoT applications.
• Leaders overcome IoT hurdles by proactively addressing issues and accounting for them in their initial strategies.
• Leaders make IoT innovation a continuous process, expanding their use of devices and achieving a high level of maturity.
• Leaders turn connectivity into a force multiplier, translating greater benefits into a significant ROI advantage.

By doing so, these businesses not only unlock the benefits of IoT networks – everything from lower operational and reduced energy consumption to higher customer satisfaction and improved strategic planning – but they also open the door to harnessing the full power of real-time data and AI to drive growth and increase performance levels.

Connectivity in action IoT takes the form of different things for different businesses, but overall, its primary goals are to enhance visibility, unlock new insights, and ultimately be a vehicle for sustainable growth. In South Africa, sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing have emerged as key beneficiaries of IoT.

That said, businesses should not see the technology as a means to one particular end. For example, with physical security and surveillance, network cameras, audio speakers and other sensor devices can form part of an open-platform IoT ecosystem, collecting data for organisations and leveraging AI and analytics at the edge to not just improve security, but also operational efficiency.

With the help of trusted partners who understand open-platform technologies, South African businesses can lay the foundation for an open and integrated IoT ecosystem that both protects and transforms their organisations. By unlocking new efficiencies and insights, businesses can drive higher productivity and achieve a stronger return on their technology investments.

Rudie Opperman, Manager for Engineering & Training MEA at Axis Communications.

*** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL.

BUSINESS REPORT