What Are IoT Apps and How Do They Help Businesses?

IoT apps connect software to physical devices or sensors so businesses can either control those devices or collect data from them. These apps act as a bridge between hardware and business insight, enabling businesses to make smarter decisions, automate processes, and optimise operations. Whether it's something simple like monitoring a temperature sensor or managing hundreds of devices across multiple sites, IoT apps are transforming how businesses operate.

Here’s a closer look at how IoT apps are used inbusiness, why they matter, and what businesses need to consider beforeintegrating them into their operations.

Where IoT apps are used in business

IoT apps are used across various industries to improve efficiency and service delivery. Common examples include:

• Healthcare: IoT apps enable wearable patient monitors, smartmedication dispensers, and environmental sensors, helping healthcare providersdeliver better patient care and optimise operations.
• ‍Manufacturing and maintenance: IoT apps monitor equipment status, track uptime, anddetect faults in real-time. Predictive maintenance can be triggeredautomatically, reducing downtime.
• ‍Logistics and fleet management: Track vehicles, optimise routes, and monitor conditionslike temperature and humidity during transit. IoT apps ensure goods arrive ontime and in the right condition.
• ‍Smart buildings and environment control: IoT apps manage lighting, energy usage, access control,and room occupancy, automating systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

The business case for IoT apps

Investing in IoT apps offers clear business advantages. With real-time data, businesses can make decisions faster and resolve issues more quickly. IoT apps automate tasks, reduce downtime, and minimise waste, all of which improve productivity. These apps also enhance safety by triggering alerts and automating actions to reduce human error.

Moreover, data gathered from IoT devices provides valuable insights that can be analysed to uncover inefficiencies, improve performance, and reveal opportunities for optimisation. This strategic use of data helps businesses save time and money while boosting overall performance.

According to The Data City, the UK’s IoT sector currently has a turnover of £8.4 billion, with £1.6 billion in investment funding. The sector is growing at 4.1% per year, demonstrating how integral IoT technology is to UK businesses looking to improve operational efficiency.

IoT apps go beyond dashboards

Modern IoT apps are more than just dashboards displaying device data. They’ve evolved into active command centres. These apps enable businesses to:

• Control devices remotely: Update settings or perform tasks like over-the-air firmware updates.
• Send push alerts: Notify users of critical issues or faults, allowing for immediate responses.
• Provide diagnostics: Go beyond surface-level data to offer in-depth insights into the causes of issues.
• Work offline: Even without a network connection, IoT apps can continue to operate, syncing data once the connection is restored.

This shift from passive monitoring to active control means businesses can manage systems more effectively, ensuring better performance, safety, and efficiency.

What to consider when building an IoT app

When building an IoT app, consider these key factors for success:

• Real-time data management: IoT apps must process data quickly and reliably to allow immediate action. Delays can lead to missed opportunities.
• Connectivity and syncing: Many IoT devices rely on stable connections. Ensure the app can handle poor network environments and sync data once the connection is restored.
• Security: Robust security is essential when IoT apps control or monitor physical systems. Access control, encryption, and audit logs are necessary for maintaining compliance.
• User experience (UX): The app’s interface should be intuitive and fast, even innoisy or low-light environments. Apps in healthcare, for example, must bedesigned to support staff workflows and allow them to act quickly.
• Hardware compatibility: IoT apps must support a wide range of devices. Ensuringcompatibility with various devices and handling firmware updates is critical.

Examples of IoT apps by Tappable

At Tappable, we’ve worked on custom IoT solutions across several sectors, helping businesses streamline operations with connected technology. Here are some key examples:

• Voice-Care - A hands-free system for healthcare, enabling staff to follow protocols via voice commands, reducing errors, and ensuring compliance in real-time.
• Classeq - A BLE-connected app for engineers servicing commercial dishwashers. It provides diagnostic tools, remote updates, and configuration capabilities.
• Detector Testers - This app allows engineers to manage reports, check device health, and share test results directly from their mobile devices, ensuring efficient testing.

Why you need experts who understand behaviour-driven UX

Building an IoT app requires more than just technical expertise — it demands an understanding of behaviour-driven UX. The user experience is critical for IoT apps to function effectively in real-world environments. At Tappable, we prioritise the end-user experience to ensure our apps are intuitive, efficient, and designed for the specific needs of industries like healthcare, consumer electronics, and industrial settings.

By combining expert IoT development with behaviour-driven design, we deliver apps that are not only technically sound but also user-friendly, providing seamless real-time data collection, control, and automation.

How to identify a reliable IoT app partner

When selecting an IoT app development partner, look for:

• Proven experience with connected hardware and IoT app development.
• Expertise in delivering scalable, custom IoT solutions that align with your business needs.
• A strong understanding of security standards and compliance requirements.
• The ability to seamlessly integrate IoT apps into your existing systems to improve workflow and operational efficiency.

Choosing a partner with these attributes ensures your IoT app solution is built to meet your unique needs and deliver long-term value.

Bringing it all together

IoT apps are powerful tools for improving efficiency, safety, and overall operations. By integrating IoT solutions, businesses can automate processes, gain real-time insights, and make smarter decisions that drive growth. If you're ready to unlock the potential of IoT in your business, contact Tappable today to discuss your tailored IoT app development needs.