Business use of internet-connected devices is catching up with consumer usage, according to Gartner’s latest forecast.
The consumer segment is the largest user of connected things with 5.2 billion units in 2017, which represents 63% of the overall number of applications in use, Gartner estimated. Businesses are on pace to use 3.1 billion connected things in 2017.
In addition to smart meters, applications tailored to specific industry verticals – including manufacturing field devices, process sensors for electrical generating plants and real-time location devices for healthcare – will drive the use of connected things among businesses through 2017, with 1.6 billion units deployed.