CTO Round Table: IoT

Aug 1, 2024, 2:00 – 6:00 PM (UTC)

Africa's Talking Community

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries by connecting devices, systems, and services, enabling unprecedented levels of data collection, automation, and analysis. For CTOs, adopting and optimizing IoT technologies presents unique challenges and opportunities. This round table discussion focuses on key strategies, best practices, and tools for successfully implementing IoT solutions.

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About this event

Join Us for the CTO Roundtable Event with Peter Mbari

We are excited to announce that Peter Mbari, CEO of Blink Electronics, an innovative IoT company, will be our distinguished guest for the CTO Roundtable Event in August. With a wealth of experience in the tech industry, Peter has been at the helm of Blink Electronics, driving the development and implementation of cutting-edge IoT solutions that are transforming industries.

Peter Mbari is the CEO of Blink Electronics, an innovative IoT company based in Nairobi, Kenya. With over a decade of experience, Peter has been instrumental in designing and implementing smart electronic solutions for data harvesting, remote control, industrial automation, robotics, energy metering, water management, home automation, and security. His technical expertise encompasses PCB manufacturing and prototyping, IoT systems development, system design and analysis, firmware development, PCB assembly, and systems integration. Prior to his role at Blink Electronics, Peter held positions as Technical Director, Engineering Manager at Power Transmission and Control Services Ltd, and Embedded System Engineer/Programmer at RnD, where he developed robotic applications and specialized in industrial automation and embedded C.

Peter's extensive career also includes serving as the UseFul Platform Project Manager at the Institute of Economic Affairs, where he empowered artists and makers by introducing them to digital fabrication tools in a FABLAB/maker space based on a model initiated at MIT. Additionally, he worked as the Electronics Design Manager and Field Manager at access, focusing on designing electronic devices for data logging and monitoring renewable energy installations. His journey began at the University of Nairobi Science and Technology Park (FabLab), where he honed his skills in digital fabrication, electronics, and robotics. Peter's diverse experiences and deep technical knowledge make him a leading expert in the IoT field.

At the CTO Roundtable, Peter will delve into the world of IoT, exploring its profound impacts on business and technology. His extensive background and insights, which you can explore on his LinkedIn profile, promise to offer invaluable knowledge and inspiration to all attendees.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a visionary in the IoT field and network with fellow tech enthusiasts. Register now and be part of a transformative experience!

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries by connecting devices, systems, and services, enabling unprecedented levels of data collection, automation, and analysis. For CTOs, adopting and optimizing IoT technologies presents unique challenges and opportunities. This round table discussion focuses on key strategies, best practices, and tools for successfully implementing IoT solutions.

Building a Successful IoT Team

Creating a successful IoT team requires careful planning and execution. Here are some steps to guide this process:

  1. Define Your Goals: What do you hope to achieve by implementing IoT solutions? Goals could include improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, generating new revenue streams, or driving innovation.
  2. Assemble the Right Team: A successful IoT team should include people with skills in embedded systems, software development, data analytics, network engineering, and cybersecurity.

    Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills are essential.

  3. Create a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Encourage your team to seek ways to improve processes and tools constantly.

    Foster a culture of experimentation and risk-taking to innovate and optimize.

  4. Embrace Automation: Automation is crucial in managing the scale and complexity of IoT systems.

    Automate as much development and operations work as possible to free up your team for strategic tasks.

  5. Measure Your Progress: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as device uptime, data accuracy, and system reliability.

    Use these metrics to adjust your approach and continuously improve.

Implementing IoT Solutions

After forming an IoT team, the next step is implementing IoT solutions. Here are the steps and considerations:

  1. Research Different Technologies: Evaluate IoT platforms, sensors, communication protocols, and data analytics tools.

    Consider the features and capabilities of each technology, as well as your specific needs.

  2. Pilot a Few Solutions: Test selected solutions in a small environment to identify any potential issues and ensure they fit your needs before a full rollout.
  3. Train Your Team: Ensure your team is well-versed in using the selected technologies effectively.

    Continuous training is essential to keep up with evolving IoT technologies and practices.

  4. Measure Your Results: Regularly measure the impact of IoT solutions on your operations.

    Use data to refine your technology stack and processes.


Popular IoT Technologies

  • IoT Platforms: Platforms like AWS IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT, and Google Cloud IoT provide comprehensive services for connecting, managing, and analyzing IoT devices and data.
  • Communication Protocols: Protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, and LwM2M are commonly used for efficient and reliable communication between IoT devices.
  • Sensors and Actuators: Selecting the right sensors and actuators is crucial for collecting accurate data and automating processes.
  • Edge Computing: Solutions like AWS Greengrass and Azure IoT Edge enable processing data closer to the source, reducing latency and bandwidth usage.
  • Data Analytics Tools: Tools like Apache Kafka, Spark, and TensorFlow are essential for analyzing large volumes of IoT data and generating actionable insights.
  • Security Solutions: Implement robust security measures to protect IoT devices and data, including encryption, authentication, and intrusion detection systems.

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Speaker

  • Peter Mbari

    Blink Electrics Ltd

    CEO

Moderator

  • Michael Kimathi

    Africa's Talking

    Head of Developer Community

Featured Attendees

  • Anthony Maina

    Foodcloud

    Ceo

  • John Okall

    iNet

    Founder

  • RIZIKI ANTONY

    DreamersTech Solutions

    Data Scientist

  • Emmanuel Cheruiyot

    Emkaco Enterprises

    CTO

  • John Karson

    University of nairobi

    NA

When

When

Thursday, August 1, 2024
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (UTC)

Agenda

2:00 PMRegistration and Welcome
2:15 PMIOTs for CTOs
4:30 PMNetworking

Hosts

  • Josphat Mwangi

    Africa's Talking

    Community Lead Nairobi

  • Sylvia Jebet Kipkemoi

    Africa's Talking

    Developer Relations, WIT Lead

Organizers

  • Bennett Benedict

    University of Dar Es Salaam

    Community Lead, 🇹🇿 Tanzania

  • Veronica Michael

    Community Lead, 🇹🇿 Tanzania

  • Josphat Mwangi

    Community Co-Lead, 🇰🇪 Kenya

  • Sheriffo Jarju

    Community Lead, 🇬🇲 The Gambia

  • Sanusi Abdulkadir

    Community Lead, 🇳🇬 Kaduna, Nigeria

  • Josh Venceslas

    Altech Group

    Community Co-Lead, 🇷🇼 Rwanda

  • David Okwii

    Sitemonki

    Community Co-Lead, 🇺🇬 Uganda

  • Cynthia Moraa

    Africastalking LTD

    WIT Community Lead 🇰🇪 Kenya

  • Roland Ganafa

    Africa'sTalking Uganda

    Community Co-Lead, 🇺🇬 Uganda

  • Stanislaus Sakwiya

    MlimiPay Limited

    Community Lead, 🇲🇼 Malawi

  • Jackson Ngabonziza

    Community Co-Lead 🇷🇼 Rwanda