The rapid rise of transformative technologies like the *Internet of Things* (IoT) has created both excitement and hesitation among businesses. While IoT promises efficiency gains, cost savings, and new revenue streams, many companies have shifted into a “wait & see” approach before committing to large-scale initiatives.
The caution is due, Businesses want proof that IoT investments will deliver measurable value before scaling deployments (Uncertain ROI). There is also Legacy systems, security risks, and interoperability challenges make adoption daunting (Integration Complexity). Fast-Evolving Standards, with continuous advancements, firms fear betting on the wrong technology or vendor. And, Data Overload, when Many struggle to extract actionable insights from IoT-generated data without clear analytics strategies. Rather than diving in blindly or staying paralyzed, forward-thinking companies are leveraging neutral research labs to: Test & Validate IoT use cases in real-world conditions. Get Benchmark Solutions before committing to large investments. Co-Design Custom Strategies that align with business needs. And, De-Risk Innovation through evidence-based decision-making.
The High Cost of Hesitation
The “wait and see” approach in the corporate strategy, particularly with respect to emerging technologies such as IOT, is not linked to a single event, but rather reflects a recurring trend in business decision-making. However, this phenomenon has become particularly noticeable in recent years due to several key factors. This cautious approach began taking shape in the late 2010s to early 2020s, following the initial wave of excitement around Internet of Things -IoT, Artificial Intelligence -AI, and Industry 4.0. Many companies quickly discovered that implementation was far more complex than anticipated, and high-profile failures—such as costly IoT projects that failed to scale—left executives wary of rushing into unproven technologies. By 2022, economic uncertainty, marked by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and tighter budgets, pushed firms to prioritize low-risk, high-reward initiatives, while investors increasingly demanded clear Return on Investment -ROI, before backing large-scale tech deployments. At the same time, stricter data privacy laws (like General Data Protection Regulation -GDPR and California Consumer Privacy Act -CCPA) and rising cybersecurity threats made businesses hesitant to adopt IoT without guaranteed compliance. Meanwhile, by 2023–2024, early adopters in sectors like manufacturing and logistics had already integrated IoT solutions, leaving more cautious players waiting for established best practices and proven frameworks before committing. This convergence of challenges solidified the “wait & see” mindset across industries.
How Research Labs Break the Deadlock
However, while a cautious approach is understandable, prolonged “wait & see” can mean missed opportunities. Collaborating with research institutions allows businesses to move from observation to action—turning IoT’s potential into tangible competitive advantages. In the short term (2024-2025), this cautious mindset is likely to persist as companies look for more mature and standardized frameworks – such as the relevant IoT protocol – as well as concrete case studies demonstrating successful implementations. However, looking further, this pattern will inevitably repeat itself with each wave of emerging technologies, from AI and the quantum IoT to 6G networks. The difference this time? Controlled research facilities and pilot programs are increasingly serving as critical bridges, helping companies move from hesitation to adoption by providing proven and scalable solutions. Although the “wait and see” approach remains a prudent strategy in rapidly changing technology environments, these support systems help shorten the period of hesitation, turning careful assessment into strategic action.
The Montreal Blueprint for IoT Adoption
These support systems will help companies move beyond the wait and see approach include several key mechanisms. Standards organizations such as the Matter Protocol and the Industrial Internet Consortium are developing universal technical standards to reduce adoption risks. Neutral research laboratories, such as those at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -MIT or the National Institute of Standards and Technology – NIST (see more about NIST frameworks), provide an unbiased proof of concept validation through real-world test benches. Technology providers now offer pilot program-as-a-service options, including Microsoft’s Azure IoT accelerators (see more about Azure IoT Customer Stories Portal ) and Siemens’ MindSphere Quick Start ( see more about MindSphere – Siemens Global ), enabling low-cost experimentation before large-scale deployment. The EU and Singapore regulatory sandboxes allow for safe testing of innovations within compliance limits. Meanwhile, open-source communities like Eclipse IoT and LF Edge are accelerating learning with shared tools and frameworks. Together, these systems reduce the risks associated with technology adoption by providing technical clarity, ROI evidence, confidence in regulations and cost-effective test environments – Effectively bridging the gap between hesitation and implementation.
