The lack of investment in Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has caused significant losses across various sectors of the Brazilian economy. In retail, for example, the absence of automation and intelligent monitoring results in billion-dollar losses. According to the Brazilian Association of Loss Prevention (Abrappe), in partnership with KPMG, the average loss rate in retail increased from 1.21% in 2021 to 1.48% in 2022, totaling a financial impact of R$ 31.7 billion per year.
These losses are attributed to operational breakdowns and inventory errors. The failure to adopt advanced technologies, such as tracking sensors, radiofrequency identification (RFID), and artificial intelligence, hinders inventory monitoring and the identification of operational risks, reducing efficiency and increasing costs for companies. However, businesses that have already adopted technological solutions for loss prevention have reported significant reductions in operational losses.
But retail is not the only sector impacted by low IoT adoption. Beyond commerce, other areas of the economy fail to achieve substantial gains due to a lack of digitization and automation.
● Public Administration: Most government buildings and public agencies still operate with corrective maintenance, lacking sensors for climate control and energy consumption monitoring, leading to resource waste and high operational costs.
● Industry and Manufacturing: Despite advances in Industry 4.0 in production lines, facility management within factories remains outdated. Many industrial plants do not use sensors for predictive equipment maintenance, environmental monitoring, or automated climate control, impacting productivity and workplace safety.
● Transportation and Mobility: Subway stations, train terminals, and bus depots face challenges in adopting technologies to optimize cleaning and maintenance, compromising user experience and generating unnecessary operational costs.
Research by the Brazilian Association of Facility Management, Property, and Workplace (ABRAFAC) highlights progress in digitization within the healthcare sector, where 52.7% of institutions already have alert and alarm systems for real-time process and equipment monitoring, and 57.1% use visualization dashboards for operational management. This progress has ensured greater security and predictability in hospital infrastructure, reducing waste and improving patient experience.
EVOLV, specializing in IoT solutions, has been one of the companies driving this transformation in Brazil. With case studies in hospitals, industries, state-owned enterprises, and over 25 airports, the company develops technologies that assist in digitizing and automating building management, reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency. In retail, adopting these solutions can represent significant savings of 40% and increased competitiveness for the sector.
