Waka Waka Internet of Things Expo (IOTE)

With all the hype surrounding the World Cup 2010, people around me have been asking what Waka Waka means. While it certainly reminds me of the sound Fozzy (from Jim Henson’s muppets) makes after he cracks a joke or something my niece would say if she passes the exams with flying colors, in reality, it means “The Time is Now”. After visiting the recent Internet of Things Expo at Shenzhen, that’s my sentiments exactly!

Shenzhen International Internet of Things Expo or IOTE for short is the first of its kind in China or in Asia for that matter. It aims to showcase the technology platform for connecting the Internet of Things to create an intelligent environment and sensory network. Being an industry new comer, I jumped at the opportunity to visit the show and learn about how my life will change by 2020.

You see, during Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to the Chinese Academy of Science in Wuxi Aug last year, he pointed out that Chinese information companies must focus in the key technologies of Internet of Things to build a Sensing Center of China. Since then, everyone in this space has been scrambling to jump on the bandwagon to show off their technological prowess and showcase their applications from asset management, smart homes and automation as well as to attract investment.

Alien Technology was our partner at the show to showcase XERAFY to their customers, some of whom couldn’t hide their excitement as they have been looking for a read-on-metal solution for a while. I spy our competition at the show but found none.

Here are some of my key findings :

• Although the underlying technology for IOT includes internet, sensors and smart information center, many applications here are still centered around RFID.
• The show is well attended  by chip vendors, hardware vendors, packaging companies, integrators and a surprisingly strong media showing.
• Besides a handful of international companies such as Xerafy, GS1 Hong Kong, Intermec and Siemens, most of the 100 plus exhibitors are Asian and Chinese companies like Invengo and HiSense.
• Traditional logistics and supply chain management applications are making way for niche applications like IT asset management, facility management and industrial.
• The general sentiments are more than upbeat with many citing projects going live within months or at worst, by next year.
• Quite a number of red eyes were spotted at the show -- I suspect from watching the world cup at wee hours of the morning.

Leaving the show, I couldn’t help thinking, “The pressure is on, you feel it, you have it all, believe it ….This time for XERAFY”.

Vivian Wan - XERAFY Sales Support