„A global network infrastructure, linking physical and virtual objects using cloud computing, data capture, and network communications. It allows devices to communicate with each other, access information on the Internet, store and retrieve data, and interact with users, creating smart, pervasive and always-connected environments.“  (Charalampos Doukas) The IoT creates opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit in addition to reduced human intervention.