by rblakerice | Mar 11, 2021 | IOT, ScentBridge Spotlight
In his 30-year career, Todd has focused on helping companies successfully transform their initiatives using smart connected technology. As Todd puts it, these businesses have “surfed” the Three Waves of IT that Michael Porter (et al.) defined as the major transformative forces of information technology that drive business advantage and productivity.
Since the 1960s, three waves of IT have radically shifted the competitive landscape for businesses. In the ’60s and ’70s, the first wave automated activities like order processing and manufacturing resource planning across business operations. As the internet began to grow in popularity, the second wave of IT transformation enabled businesses to integrate, coordinate and communicate with their suppliers, channels, and customers across their “value chain”.
Now, as the third wave emerges, products themselves are being transformed. IoT is now becoming an integral part of products and services, improving the overall experiences of customers. Smart connected technology provides a new and impactful wave of innovation so users can expect more out of everyday products and services.
Thanks to IoT, everyday objects are enabled to do more for users and consumers. IoT’s evolution has brought us where we are today, allowing for a transformation in productivity, economic gains, and the perfection of service.
Meet Todd Becker
Todd Becker currently serves as the President of ScentBridge. As a successful entrepreneur, management consultant, C-level exec, and venture capital investor, Todd has successfully launched, grown, or “digitally transformed” numerous businesses with smart connected device architectures, including mobile, cloud, IoT, Blockchain technologies, and of course – smart scent delivery systems.
Todd’s extensive technology experience covers corporate development, business planning, market strategy, intellectual property, product development, operations, IT, and business finance. Todd has held many executive positions at many businesses (including private-equity capital raises, acquisitions, and IPOs) as a Board Member, President, COO, CTO, CIO, and CFO.
His latest new venture is BlueStreak IoT. BlueStreak sits at the center of information, providing sensors, devices, networks, and software that combine to deliver valuable, actionable data and automate critical functions across retail, hospitality, entertainment, health & fitness, real estate, and other commercial venues.
by rblakerice | Feb 25, 2021 | IOT, Technology
As a facility manager, you’re responsible for everything from maintenance to space planning. That can be a lot to handle—especially in the midst of an event like the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic has generated many unprecedented events, it has also demonstrated how dependent our society is on technology. IoT has aided several industries during this unpredictable year, from healthcare and logistics to consumer and commercial. Once you learn IoT basics and adopt the most up-to-date IoT technology, you’ll find facility management easier than ever before.
What Is IoT?
Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the vast network of physical items that connect to the Internet. These items, often called “smart” devices, can collect data, share data, and allow you to control devices from a distance.
During the pandemic, IoT has helped businesses and industries tremendously during the pandemic; so much so it’s a technological advancement that is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Read on to learn the IoT basics you need to streamline your operations— and navigate COVID-19—in 2021.
IoT Use Cases for Facility Management
IoT can streamline facility management in any industry. Once your equipment and employees are outfitted with IoT tools, you can use IoT in many ways — even with your scent delivery.
Equipment Monitoring
Tracking facility equipment, identifying wearing equipment, and replacing it before it wears out is a critical part of your job. Otherwise, your team may face low customer satisfaction and decreased productivity. With help from IoT devices, your team can closely monitor your equipment and catch warning signs quickly.
Equipment Control
Keeping social distancing and the avoidance of multiple touchpoints in mind, IoT solutions allow you to control devices, like thermostats and lighting, from mobile apps or voice controls to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because of IoT’s internet connectivity, these systems can help eliminate the need for human contact and touching surfaces like switches, dispensers, etc.
Real-Time Team Collaboration
Your team probably uses multiple databases and communication tools to stay in touch. But you can’t ensure you’re accessing the most up-to-date information when you use so many platforms. An IoT software system lets every team member access real-time equipment data and communicate in a single hub.
System Security
IoT systems that use wireless networks to power and run their systems often only provide limited connectivity and present safety and security problems. Take this example of when Target’s corporate systems were hacked because a subcontractor opened a backdoor when connecting a “smart device” to the Target corporate network.
COVID-19 showed the need for an IoT system that provided secure and operational connectivity and essentially caused adaptation to a new cellular framework as wireless networks could not be used during unprecedented circumstances. As the need for safe and reliable connections continues to grow, there will be an increasing amount of previously unconnected devices becoming part of IoT networks.
Data Storage
You most likely have to manage lots of data— everything from resource consumption to labor management. Usually, this requires a lot of time spent manually updating databases, retrieving the data you need, and ensuring that data is secure for industry compliance. IoT software systems automatically update with equipment data and offer built-in enterprise-grade security.
Critical IoT Facility Management Tools
How do IoT facility management systems collect their data and connect to the internet? Here are the 4 tools most top IoT systems will offer.
Sensors
Sensors are the most common IoT facility management tools. They can help you get access to data about variables like temperature, humidity, motion, vibration, chemicals, pressure, or location. They collect data, then immediately load it to your facility management platform.
Equipment Beacons
Beacons are small wireless tools that share data through Bluetooth. Their messages can be recognized by a local device, which can then trigger actions. They are most often embedded in machinery to monitor equipment and begin workflows, like setting off sprinkler systems. In some cases, they’re used for ID verification.
RFID Trackers
RFID tags use radio waves to transmit information and identify the person or object who they are connected to. Their ranges can stretch anywhere from 65 – 165 feet. They can help your team track the number of people in your facility, manage access control, and monitor assets.
Data Analytics Tools
Every cutting-edge software system offers powerful visualization tools. Once an IoT platform collects its data, visualization tools create reports from it. These reports often feature graphs and charts that make it easy for you to identify patterns in resource usage and employee performance.
Benefits of IoT for Facility Management
IoT can help you improve facility management operations and performance—all from a distance. For example, IoT benefits include:
Reduced Costs
Automatically collecting facility data and using it to identify problems can help you catch potential problems before they happen. Preventing problems saves your team from maintenance fees and unnecessary costs. Your team can also more easily monitor items like CO2, temperature, and even scent, reducing the labor needed to check it manually.
Transparency
IoT products send data to a single online hub. Plus, your team can communicate through the hub. This single source of truth makes it easy to know exactly what the status of your facilities are, and how you can take action to make them better.
Improved Employee Performance
When your team uses a synchronized system to communicate and access data, it’s easier than ever for them to know exactly what they need to do and when. This is critical when your team members can’t be in the same place at the same time—especially during an event like the COVID-19 pandemic. A more organized team is a more productive team.
Conclusion: IoT Basics for Facility Managers
IoT can streamline your operations no matter what industry you’re in. When integrating IoT, you can expect to reduce costs, gain transparency, and boost employee performance—without increasing your or your team’s workload.
by rblakerice | Feb 17, 2021 | ScentBridge Spotlight
“Internet” not only defines our computers, laptops, and smartphones anymore. Now, most industries have found ways to incorporate IoT integration into numerous products and services they offer to their customers.
From increased efficiency and quality to accelerated innovation, almost every business aspect can be profoundly changed by the “internet of things” (IoT). In fact, almost 85% of decision-makers say they are currently developing or deploying IoT solutions. Businesses late to adopt IoT innovations and techniques will most likely be left behind by their more innovative competitors.
So, where can businesses begin incorporating IoT into their products, services, and daily operations? Here are some examples for facility managers in commercial companies to consider.
Commercial kitchens solve their messiest problem with technology: GREASEwatch
Many IoT initiatives work to improve not only a business’s operational efficiency but performance quality and safety as well. GREASEwatch is a great example, as it helps facility managers with commercial kitchens in the restaurant, hospitality, and foodservice industries monitor and manage their grease traps.
The GREASEwatch Interceptor Monitoring Device (IMD) offers a grease trap management solution. It uses two acoustic sensors that measure the accumulation of Fats, Oils and Grease (F.O.G.) inside grease interceptors, buried several feet underground in parking lots around the world. Inside of a grease interceptor, most of the Fats, Oils & Grease float to the top and the heavier fried or other food solids sink to the bottom. When the grease interceptor reaches capacity (e.g., 25% Total F.O.G.), a pumping truck is automatically dispatched to clean the tank.
Not only does GREASEwatch help its clients take preventive measures that avoid health department violations and kitchen shut-downs from grease backups or clogged drain lines, it avoids unnecessary and costly “emergency pumps” by knowing “when” to pump. It also avoids near-term performance problems by confirming “how well” the pumper did their job, triggering invoice payment approval for the pumper AFTER a quality pump is confirmed. By “seeing” inside the tank with similar sensors used in a boat’s fish-finder, GREASEwatch removes the guess-work, avoids costly mistakes, and makes grease interceptor management easy and predictable.
Remote tank monitoring for fleet managers: Vertrax
Businesses that use IoT solutions greatly benefit from its remote accessibility and monitoring through interconnected platforms.
Vertrax’s Tank Monitoring Service allows fleet owners and managers to measure fuel tank liquid levels through a customized platform for both customers and suppliers. Users can monitor everything from tank levels and health to usage rates and projected runouts. This service even notifies customers when tank levels are getting low, so they can place orders and never run out of fuel.
Thanks to this IoT solution, fleet management has full visibility into tank consumption and metrics, improving inventory management, routing efficiency, and delivery forecasting.
Equipment owners and manufacturers work with one connected platform: SmartEquip
As IoT integration progresses, one of its many benefits is allowing users access to accurate and real-time information.
In manufacturing, technicians spend on average 50% of their time looking up part numbers for equipment. SmartEquip gives manufacturers one integrated platform with real-time access to equipment updates, parts, service manuals, diagrams, and more. Providing easy access to these resources, SmartEquip works to increase wrench time while reducing the total cost of ownership.
As an IoT solution with instant accessibility to information and data, SmartEquip helps fleet owners, manufacturers, and contractors keep their assets on the job to increase operational efficiency and uptime.
Since its creation, the internet has been an integral tool in the growth and expansion of the world economy. Now, the “internet of things” drives even greater value, as IoT integrates into products and services that manage the resources we use at home and work.
About Smart Connected Ventures
Smart Connected Ventures™ is a synergistic portfolio of high-impact digital solutions that effectively and efficiently manage commercial services. Their core division, BlueStreak IoT™, manages and secures remote connections for monitoring IoT-enabled services and devices, including GREASEwatch™ and ScentBridge™. BlueStreak utilizes an advanced commercial IoT framework that sits at the center of information from sensors, devices, networks, and software that combine to deliver valuable, actionable data and automate critical functions across retail, hospitality, entertainment, health & fitness, real estate, and other commercial venues.
SCV’s team has been:
- Creating IoT solutions since 1996
- Specializing in “Product as a Service”
- Supporting compliance-driven organizations with operations distributed across large geographies
- Intelligently facilitating local service logistics that add tremendous value to customers
- Managing segregated, machine-class cellular networks that are secure, reliable, and easy to deploy
by rblakerice | Jan 28, 2021 | ScentBridge Spotlight
Digital Intelligence’s Impact on Customer Experience
Consider which option would more likely put a smile on a customer’s face: A technician calling to schedule a proactive service due to a potential product problem vs. a break-fix call after the fact. In a world where reputation and brand is now everything, customer experience is a critical success factor. With digital intelligence, companies should no longer need to react to disgruntled customers. We have the ability to be proactive, fix it before there is a problem.
As consumers, we all know customer experience is among the most essential variables in contributing to a business’s strong brand and revenue growth. Businesses must constantly execute initiatives to improve their customers’ experience.
We’ve all received recommendations for products and books, even when we didn’t even ask for them. Similarly, companies seem to know our desires before we are aware of our own needs. Personalization and purchase history allow intelligent systems to make assumptions of what we will like and find value in.
These same digital intelligent technologies allow commercial product companies to provide outstanding, proactive, highly valuable experiences. Deploying new technology to predict negative experiences before they happen should be the norm for all companies. Products today should never be standalone devices but should be combined with intelligent services to enable outstanding customer experiences. Examples include proactive diagnostics, proactive parts replacement, adjustments required, status changes, device monitoring, and so on.
Pervasive communications networks, IoT, and artificial intelligence allow all product companies to imbed intelligent devices into their products. These devices enable companies to independently communicate critical information. This information is then used to predict, alert, take action on issues, adding value to the overall product experience.
Driving the Overall Customer Experience with Digital Intelligence
Digital intelligence technologies specifically help businesses improve relationships with customers by enhancing their overall experience. Take Scentbridge as an example. ScentBridge uses their smart IoT scent system to provide businesses with a unique and personalized customer experience through fragrance impressions that match their brand. Not only does this provide a great environment for the customer, but organizations can also track and monitor how effectively their scent marketing is working through their scent system and metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) or Customer Satisfaction (CSAT).
Throughout the years, IoT has provided many benefits from convenience to efficiency. Now as we add digital intelligence, AI, machine learning, and other advanced capabilities our ability to deliver a superior customer experience is stronger than ever before.
Meet Rich Eldh
Rich is a successful entrepreneur and industry thought leader in sales, marketing, and customer experience. He has more than 30 years building his knowledge, leading businesses, and people, executing go-to-market strategies throughout the world. Rich is a trusted advisor, offering his executive leadership and marketing, sales, and operational experience and guidance to the ScentBridge team. He is also a board member and investor in Smart Connected Ventures, the parent company of ScentBridge and BlueStreak IOT.
Rich is the Co-Founder Emeritus of SiriusDecisions which is now part of the public company, Forrester Inc. SiriusDecisions was a world-renowned business advisory organization. It specializes in Sales, Marketing, Customer Experience, and Product advice and consulting. While leading SiriusDecisions, Rich worked with hundreds of companies across multiple industries, including Software, Enterprise Technology, Financial Services, Manufacturing, and Information Services organizations. He worked with organizations in the US, Europe, South & Central America, S. Asia, and Australia, providing guidance and advice on go-to-market strategy and operations. This experience offers a rich set of insights and best practices to draw upon when interacting with new and established organizations.
Rich has previously participated in the startup and sale of multiple successful businesses. In addition, prior organizations he has worked at include, North American Plastic, Four Phase Systems, Hewlett Packard, Gartner Group, SiriusDecisions sold to Forrester.
by rblakerice | Jan 13, 2021 | ScentBridge Spotlight
Get ready for our first ScentBridge Spotlight!
Each spotlight will highlight some of ScentBridge’s most innovative SMEs and professionals in the industry and include their thoughts and expertise around a specific topic.
The Value of Scent
with Jeff Sneed
As scent marketing has grown over the years, Jeff has immersed himself in the sales, management, and strategy behind scent delivery. As one of the industry pioneers, Jeff can attest to the value scent gives business in conjunction with other media.
For the most part, businesses and facilities focus on branding themselves through senses like sight and sound. For example, using specific colors for the walls, adding distinctive decor, or playing a particular style or music genre. While these strategies may tie in a company’s branding, they don’t compare to the emotive power of scent.
Our sense of smell is hardwired through the limbic system — the part of the brain that deals with emotions and memory. It regulates autonomic or endocrine function in response to emotional stimuli and also is involved in reinforcing behavior. When done correctly, scent can play a powerful role in how a customer experiences, feels and even remembers a brand.
Take this real-life scenario of a large hotel chain, for example. This corporation wanted to use the five senses to create a more memorable guest arrival experience. To capture each sense, the team established multiple initiatives. These included developing a custom music program, enhancing their lighting and decor strategy, creating a signature fragrance, adding towel service, and providing an arrival beverage for guests.
The most effective of all those initiatives? Scent. The hotel found that customers reacted most favorably to the consistent fragrance they were using in the lobby of their hotels worldwide. Customers could recognize and associate the brand solely based on smell. Later on, the hotel created amenity products (like shampoo and soap) with the same fragrance to further amplify their brand recall through the power of scent.
Facilities should no longer overlook the impact scent can have on their business. When brands capitalize on the value of scent, they can expect immediate results and an overall better experience for their customers.
Meet Jeff Sneed
Jeff Sneed is an accomplished, sales-oriented executive with over 25 years of experience in account management, corporate leadership, business development, and strategic sales. Currently, Jeff is the Vice President of Sales for Scentbridge, the industry-leading smart scent system provider.
Throughout his career, Jeff has worked extensively to enhance the Customer Experience for his clients in a vast array of markets through the use of multiple media.
Before ScentBridge, Jeff held executive positions as Vice President of Sales for Prolitec, Inc. and Chief Revenue Officer for Spectrio, LLC. He also founded and still serves as a managing partner for Sneed Consulting, LLC.
Jeff’s scent marketing experience stems from his work at ScentAir, where he served as ScentAir’s Senior Vice President of Sales for over 8 years. Jeff joined ScentAir as employee seven and quickly developed a go-to-market strategy that grew the sales and marketing organization to 90+ team members, transforming the relatively new concept of “scent marketing” from an interesting idea to a brand standard within marquee accounts.
Before entering into executive management, Jeff had a distinguished career in sales with Mood Media where he consistently ranked in the top 1% of his peers at the local, regional, and national levels. He was directly responsible for negotiating and closing multiple enterprise agreements with major brands in markets such as banking, specialty retail, restaurant, and healthcare.
