Using the Internet of Things to increase the impact of servitization on UK manufacturing

The overall aim of the research is to accelerate the adoption, and ultimate impact, of servitization among mainstream manufacturing firms through the exploitation of the Internet of Things (IoT). Servitization describes the process by which a manufacturer changes its business model to provide customers with a holistic solution rather than just a physical product. IoT refers to a new technology paradigm describing a network of physical objects that contain embedded technology to communicate, sense and interact to provide advanced analytical insights . No other research activities, at present, involve servitization, IoT and SME practices in combination. This research will help to increase awareness of the IoT as critical enabler for the establishment of a service-based business model, and the sustained generation of its associated wider economic and environmental benefits.