Microsoft plans to invest $5 billion in IoT
05 Apr 2018
Microsoft plans to invest $5 billion in the Internet of Things (IoT) globally over the next four years, the company announced on Thursday.
The move will support continued research and innovation in IoT, which the company says is ultimately evolving to be the new intelligent edge. The US-based software major says that with its IoT platform spanning cloud, operating system and devices, “Microsoft will simplify the IoT journey so any customer — regardless of size, technical expertise, budget, industry or other factors — can create trusted, connected solutions that improve business and customer experiences, as well as the daily lives of people all over the world.”
The goal of investing in IoT is to give every customer the ability to transform their businesses, and the world at large, with connected solutions.
“It’s well understood that IoT solutions can create operational efficiencies, but we know the true impact extends well beyond that into our daily lives,” said a spokesperson. “Our customers are delivering electricity to schools in Africa, creating better patient outcomes with predictive care, improving worker safety on job sites and driver safety on Alaskan roadways.”
The company claims that it had invested in IoT even before the term was coined, when enterprises had endpoints in their factories, buildings and other devices that were totally “dark.”
Microsoft is now planning to dedicate even more resources to research and innovation in IoT and what is ultimately evolving to be the new intelligent edge.
“With our IoT platform spanning cloud, OS and devices, we are uniquely positioned to simplify the IoT journey so any customer—regardless of size, technical expertise, budget, industry or other factors — can create trusted, connected solutions that improve business and customer experiences, as well as the daily lives of people all over the world,” said the spokesperson.