IBM creates Internet of Things unit

A business unit focusing purely on Internet of Things (IoT) products and services has been created by IBM.

The company had previously announced that it would be investing US$3 billion in IoT over the next four years, and the plan is for the unit to comprise of more than 2,000 researchers and developers, working with IBM analytics and cloud services.

Heading up the new unit will be former UK Thomas Cook Group CEO Harriet Green, who has been named vice president and general manager of the division.

“Harriet brings to IBM a strong, proven track record as a transformative leader,” said John E Kelly, IBM's senior vice president of solutions portfolio and research.

“Throughout her career, across multiple geographies and cultures, she has consistently shown a deep understanding of the needs of her customers and clients, and how to help them achieve their goals and aspirations. Her creativity and vision will help organisations transform themselves to take fuller advantage of emerging data and cognitive technologies.”

Putting all of its Internet of Things strands in one basket is a sensible move, and Green has got an interesting portfolio to oversee. There's IoT Foundation, which allows two companies to store and share their data securely, and Node-RED, a graphical user interface for Internet of Things programming. It has provided IoT services to the likes of The Weather Company, ARM and AT&T.

Last week IBM announced that Deborah DiSanzo – formerly of Philips Healthcare – would be general manager of the Watson Health unit, and the company says that it will be creating a separate division to focus on education in the coming months. How these units work together over the coming years will be fascinating.

Image: Patrick Finnegan and Mr Seb, used under Creative Commons.