Key Takeaways from Beecham’s ‘Why IoT Projects Fail’ Webinar

In a recent webinar hosted by IoT Now, Beecham Research CEO Robin Duke‑Woolley unpacked the findings of the firm’s 100‑page study, “Why IoT Projects Fail and What to Do About Them.” The session highlighted three critical themes that emerged from interviews with leading companies and vendors.

1. Connectivity is More Than a Commodity

Many organisations treat connectivity as a given, but the reality is far more complex. Historically, M2M communication relied on 2G and 3G cellular networks. Today, 4G/LTE comes in multiple variants, and 5G itself has two distinct architectures: 5G NR (Standalone) and 5G NSA (Non‑Standalone). Add to that the specialised low‑power options such as LoRa and SigFox, and it becomes clear that hardware selection must follow a solid connectivity strategy. Choosing the wrong network can render a device’s service infeasible.

2. Unlocking Business Value from IoT Data

The report repeatedly emphasizes that the true value of IoT data is realized only when it drives specific business outcomes. It’s easy to be dazzled by the sheer volume of data, but without a clearly defined objective, analytics can become a costly distraction. Companies often miss critical data requirements because they weren’t identified during the planning phase. The solution is a phased approach: define outcomes, align data acquisition, and evaluate progress at set milestones.

3. Data Analytics: Not Hype, But Often Over‑hyped

When asked whether data analytics is a solution or just buzz, Robin was unequivocal: it’s a tool, not a silver bullet. The real success lies in linking analytics to tangible outcomes. Remember the adage “rubbish in, rubbish out”—highlights the importance of collecting and processing the right data.

To download the full 100‑page report, click here. To view the webinar recording, click here.

Bob Emmerson is a freelance technology writer.