Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesIndustrial IoT

Enterprise Asset Intelligence: IoT, Data, and What It Can Do for Business

ThingTech's CEO Jim Lester discusses the transformative power of data in business and IoT applications. ThingTech offers IoT solutions for fleet management and specialized logistics, utilizing data collection for asset management. With decreasing costs and improving technology, IoT adoption focuses on connectivity, costs, and device durability.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Industrial IoT teams put it to work with AI Visibility (GEO).

By Geoff Short · 5gData CollectionData ManagementGeoff Short Podcast
Share
Enterprise Asset Intelligence: IoT, Data, and What It Can Do for Business

Key takeaways

01

Data is considered more valuable than oil for transforming business, manufacturing, and shipping.

02

ThingTech leverages IoT data for fleet management and specialized logistics, ensuring safe shipment arrivals.

03

The future of IoT depends on advancing connectivity, reducing costs, and enhancing device durability.

“Data” is the word on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Arguably more valuable than oil, data has the prodigious power to change business, manufacturing and shipping in incredible ways. No one knows this more than Jim Lester, CEO of ThingTech. Lester joined MarketScale to discuss the state of the Internet of Things (IoT) and how businesses can benefit from data collection and sharing.

ThingTech’s fleet management system offers a holistic view of a fleet thanks to widespread data collection. When pulling usage data from different car manufacturers, for example, ThingTech can normalize the differences and offer real, usable data to clients. Lester said that ThingTech “[does] the heavy lifting for them.”

But IoT data collection isn’t used solely for fleet management. As technology prices go down, specialty logistics become more feasible. When shipping climate-controlled products, for example, ThingTech can monitor the product throughout shipment, ensuring its safe arrival. Lower IoT costs mean being able to monitor custom shipments both big and small.

It is hard to talk about IoT without talking about 5G. Lester said the reality of 5G is that it will first reach urban areas and, until 5G is more widespread, 4G is perfectly fine for monitoring trucking as it travels through rural areas.

So, what is the future of IoT? Jim outlined the three pillars of IoT adoption – connectivity, costs, and device durability. As these three trends materialize, moving from static asset management to dynamic asset management will become the norm.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the IoT Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale

Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

About the author

GS
Geoff Short

Industrial IoT: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Industrial IoT buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Industrial IoT expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's Industrial IoT expertise into the articles, video, and social content B2B marketing buyers in your industry are searching for. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Industrial IoT Insights

AI kaizens, agentic systems, and pricing pressure: what manufacturers are actually doing with IIoT in 2026

AI kaizens, agentic systems, and pricing pressure: what manufacturers are actually doing with IIoT in 2026

The industrial sector is transitioning its use of AI from pilot programs to operational applications, particularly on the plant floor. Companies are exploring AI-driven kaizens, agentic systems, and are debating outcome-based pricing models as part of their industrial IoT strategies. This shift indicates a move towards integrating AI technology more deeply into manufacturing processes by 2026.

  • 01Industrial AI is shifting from pilot projects to operational use in manufacturing facilities.
  • 02Outcome-based pricing models are being debated within the industrial AI sector.
  • 03AI-driven kaizens and agentic systems are being utilized in industrial IoT strategies.

Jul 24, 2026

Industrial manufacturing M&A hits $173 billion as convergence deals crowd out single-theme bets

Industrial manufacturing M&A hits $173 billion as convergence deals crowd out single-theme bets

The industrial manufacturing M&A sector has reached $173 billion, with a 28% increase year-over-year. Mega-deals and strategic buyers are the primary drivers of this surge, as reported by PwC in their 2026 midyear outlook. The focus on convergence deals is overshadowing single-theme investments in the industry.

  • 01Industrial manufacturing M&A has surged to $173 billion.
  • 02There is a 28% year-over-year increase in industrial M&A activity.
  • 03Convergence deals are becoming more prevalent, overshadowing single-theme investments.

Jul 23, 2026

Most mid-sized manufacturers are stuck in AI pilot purgatory, Kaufman Rossin research finds

Most mid-sized manufacturers are stuck in AI pilot purgatory, Kaufman Rossin research finds

A significant majority of mid-sized manufacturing companies are still in the testing phase of AI deployment, with 73% unable to achieve full operational status. Kaufman Rossin's research indicates that these companies are facing challenges in moving beyond pilot programs. The lack of full AI integration is a common issue across the sector.

  • 0173% of manufacturing companies are still in the AI testing phase.
  • 02No mid-sized manufacturer has fully deployed AI operationally.
  • 03Many manufacturers are unable to progress beyond pilot AI programs.

Jul 23, 2026

Explore More Industrial IoT Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Industrial IoT.

Browse Industrial IoT Hub

About the Experts

GS
Geoff Short
JL
Jim Lester

CEO

ThingTech

Jim Lester is the CEO of ThingTech, a company providing IoT solutions for asset management. He focuses on leveraging data for business, manufacturing, and shipping improvements.

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Industrial IoT and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512