IoT: 27 billion devices. Why does business need it?

27 billion. That is how many devices, according to IoT Analytics estimates, will be connected to the internet in 2025. Cameras, sensors, bracelets, smart meters, industrial sensors — the list is endless. At first glance, this is just a figure from investor reports, but behind it lies a much more interesting story: the Internet of Things is ceasing to be a technological ‘toy’ and becoming the operating system of the economy.

At Emat EOOD, we are increasingly encountering IoT requests in customer projects. And almost always, the word ‘sensor’ hides not a device, but a specific pain point for the customer. Businesses don't need hardware, they need an answer: how to turn data into value? How to make sure that the system doesn't just record facts, but makes decisions?

From smart light bulbs to digital twins
Five years ago, IoT was associated with fitness trackers or beacons in shopping centres, but by 2025 it will be a virtual model of an entire factory or city. Digital twins make it possible to predict production failures, test scenarios, and optimise processes before problems occur.

Today, IoT has merged with other technologies: artificial intelligence has turned a network of sensors into a forecasting tool (AIoT: predictive monitoring, smart networks), edge computing has reduced delays, and the mass adoption of 5G and NB-IoT has enabled millions of devices to operate within a single city. Add to this the Matter standard, which solves the problem of interoperability between smart devices from different brands (Apple, Google, etc.). And we get an ecosystem where the physical and digital worlds connect seamlessly. AI integration (AIoT) doesn't just collect data, it analyses and makes decisions on its own. In other words, today's IoT connects the physical and digital worlds.

Where IoT is already in use today

• In logistics, sensors and blockchain make supply chains transparent.
• In agriculture, British start-up Spotta uses IoT sensors with AI to detect pests three months earlier than humans.
• In healthcare, wearable devices are no longer toys but tools for insurers and doctors.
• In cities, the IoT manages transport, energy and water. For example, the Vodafone España NB-IoT project uses it for smart management of urban systems.

Problems. What is not being discussed openly?
IoT is considered one of the most vulnerable points in cybersecurity, according to experts at Emat EOOD Bulgaria. Every device is a new point of risk. The EU already has the NIS2 and Data Act directives in place, which strictly regulate IoT networks. Companies are forced to build architectures in such a way that security is built in, rather than added on top. The general trend is towards secure chips, AI threat analysis, and blockchain for transaction verification.

Another problem is resources. Sensors consume energy, and the Green IoT trend is already gaining momentum: energy-efficient devices and networks, sensors for monitoring CO₂ emissions, smart energy systems.

And finally, culture. IoT is not just about hardware and data. A sensor can detect a failure in time, but if no action is taken, sooner or later the business will lose its customer.

Forecast to 2030
According to Market Research Future, the IoT market will exceed $1.5 trillion by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of around 25%. The number of connected devices could reach 40–45 billion, depending on the scenario.

By this time, IoT will have finally merged with AI and edge computing. In industry, digital twins will become the norm, and in cities, IoT will be perceived as a basic element of infrastructure, just like water supply or electricity. For businesses, IoT will cease to be a competitive advantage and will become a ‘minimum requirement.’

IoT and business today
IoT in business in 2025 demonstrates a company's maturity. Those who see it only as sensors will remain in the catch-up category. Those who build systems around data are looking to the future.

Businesses need not just individual sensors or software, but a comprehensive strategy: from infrastructure and analytics to cyber security and integration with existing systems. To embed IoT into your business, you need to:

1. Understand the problem your business wants to solve.
2. Build infrastructure: reliable servers, databases, software.
3. Test solutions to catch errors before launch.

Understanding that every business is unique, Emat company develops and implements customised IoT solutions for factories, medical institutions, agribusiness, and logistics. We combine data from different devices and develop multi-level cyber security systems.