‘Internet of Things’ Insights for the Food Service Space

When British technologist Kevin Ashton coined the term "Internet of Things" in 1999, referring to a network connecting not just people but the everyday objects around them, it was a concept both fantastical and futuristic. Now nearly two decades later, the IoT is poised for global dominance.

The real value comes not from the devices themselves, but rather in the transformation of data into useful information.

A mere four years ago, the global IoT market reached an already staggering $485.6 billion. This year that number is projected to pass the one trillion dollar mark and, by 2019, is expected to grow to over $1.7 trillion to encompass a network of more than 42 billion connected devices worldwide.

While the consumer electronics industry naturally boasts the largest share of the IoT market, food service and agriculture aren't that far behind. With a new emphasis on food safety engendered by the sweeping reforms of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), it certainly behooves…