Book Review: Digitise or Die – A Blueprint for IoT-Driven Transformation

This 251‑page review copy provides a detailed look at 'Digitise or Die'. Though the title is dramatic, Windpassinger backs the urgency with real‑world examples from Kodak and Nokia.

The book’s core ambition is to move beyond the technology of the IoT and show how organisations can transform, leverage new capabilities and outpace competitors.

Before diving into strategy, the author surveys key historical milestones: the mainframe era (1950‑1980), the birth of the Internet backbone (1980‑2000), and the rise of Internet‑centric services like Google (2000‑2017), as noted by reviewer Bob Emmerson.

Chapter 3 – ‘Digitisation Strategy: The IoT Methodology’ – begins with a customer‑centric framework, yet immediately pivots to the technical layers of IoT. This tension can confuse readers.

Subsequent chapters clarify the framework. Chapter 4 spends only eight pages on customer needs, while Chapter 5 delves deeply into IoT technologies, covering acronyms such as CoAP, AEP, and Thread across 60 pages. A more balanced approach might have introduced technology after discussing differentiation strategies and business models.

Despite these structural hiccups, the book covers a broad swath of IoT territory, making it a useful starting point for business leaders who need a practical roadmap and a reference guide.

Author Nicolas Windpassinger, global vice‑president of Schneider Electric’s Partner Program, pledges that all sales revenue will support the Alzheimer’s Association and Fondation de France. The book is available for pre‑order on Amazon and is slated for a mid‑November launch.

The book has been reviewed by Bob Emmerson, freelance writer and telecoms industry observer.