INTERNATIONAL Business Machines (IBM ) said yesterday that it was investing $3 billion (R36bn) over the next four years to create an “Internet of Things” business unit that would collect and analyse data from smartphones, tablets and other connected devices so that businesses could use it in their operations. IBM estimates that 90 percent of all data generated by cellphone devices, connected vehicles and appliances is never analysed. IBM hopes to change that by creating partnerships with firms such as Twitter and the Weather Co, and developing cloud-based data services and tools for developers.
IBM also said that it was joining with Weather Co to build tools that help companies anticipate and prepare for bad weather. – Sapa and Bloomberg