By: Jeff Noska

Amidst the boom in technological innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT), more organizations are embracing digital transformation than ever before. Research shows that 61% of business executives recognize digital transformation as a top priority for their organizations. This motivation to prioritize digital transformation stems from its incredible benefits, such as cost reduction, better operational efficiency, longer-lasting assets, expedient and accurate data analysis, greater customer satisfaction, etc.

In industrial settings, for example, IoT, AI, machine learning, computer vision, etc., help boost performance drastically inside facilities. Applications like predictive maintenance for essential equipment allow operators to catch problems with machinery before they break down and wreak havoc on operations. By intervening and making repairs, factories can ensure uptime and minimize downtime. Moreover, advanced data analytics shed light on unknown deficiencies, streamlining necessary corrections that optimize productivity and eliminate errors. These use cases also reduce the need for manual, human input, permitting critical personnel to focus more time and energy on value-generating projects. Of course, digital transformation goes beyond factories. It touches many other industries, like financial services, healthcare and retail—in fact, there are more than 18 billion connected IoT devices in operation around the world today.

The widespread adoption of advanced technologies like IoT means one thing: digital transformation is no longer a minor adjustment meant to gain a slight competitive edge but a strategic imperative in the modern age. While it is paramount that companies pursue digital transformation (if they haven’t begun already), it is important to caution about a growing trend with IoT implementations that can derail larger digital strategies. For the sake of simplicity, this article will refer to this concerning phenomenon as “do it yourself” IoT or DIY IoT. 

What is a DIY IoT Project

The origin of the phrase “DIY” goes back to the 1950s to describe home renovation projects undertaken by nonprofessionals, but has since grown to include music, arts, crafts and publishing. In the world of IoT, a DIY IoT deployment is one in which a business plans, builds and implements a project in-house, often without involving specialized vendors or external experts. The company assumes the responsibility for every project element, including selecting the hardware (sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, etc.), developing the software, setting up the connectivity, managing data storage and processing and upholding system security.

The appeal of a DIY home project and a DIY IoT project are quite similar for homeowners and businesses, from greater control and freedom to affordability and customization. While the appeal of having greater self-sufficiency over an IoT deployment may sound tempting, the truth is that implementing and maintaining IoT solutions can be tricky. A successful DIY IoT project will require significant technical knowledge and resources. Many organizations, seeing the opportunity to save money, opt for self-managed methods despite their IT teams not possessing all the requisite skills or resources for the project.

The Challenges and Risks of DIY IoT Projects