Article
Harvard Business Review

How Smart, Connected Products Are Transforming Competition

By: Michael E. Porter and James E. Heppelmann

Format:Print

Abstract

Information technology is revolutionizing products. Once composed solely of mechanical and electrical parts, products have become complex systems that combine hardware, sensors, data storage, microprocessors, software, and connectivity in myriad ways. These "smart, connected products"—made possible by vast improvements in processing power and device miniaturization and by the network benefits of ubiquitous wireless connectivity—have unleashed a new era of competition.

Keywords

Strategy; Competition; Information Technology; Transformation; Information Technology Industry

Citation

Porter, Michael E., and James E. Heppelmann. "How Smart, Connected Products Are Transforming Competition." Harvard Business Review 92, no. 11 (November 2014): 64–88.