Internet of Things (IoT) Hype or Reality?

Presenters: Jaap de Vries, Ph.D., Laurie Conner, Michael Styer and John Beauchamp, CPCU, RPLU (Moderator) 

February 3, at 2 p.m. ET

The internet landscape is burgeoning with IoT.  Now, a whole host of devices are connected to the internet and sharing their data – this is the essence of Internet of Things (IoT) and many have predicted this will be a disruptor within the insurance industry. As we begin 2022 and look back on the evolution of IoT through a rear-view mirror, we are starting to see how this is affecting commercial business operations and risk management practices and we are now able to separate some of the hype from reality.

Attend this webinar to hear from industry experts currently using IoT devices and the massive amounts of data they generate to quantify and mitigate a variety of physical risks, including fire, water damage and air quality.  Attendees will gain an understanding of exactly what is the IoT, the benefits, the challenges, and how to leverage IoT technology and what sensor data can mean to customer engagement, product & service development, and loss control.

Almost every business today relies on cloud computing, connected technologies and electronic data to operate effectively. To separate hype from reality, several case studies, including water mitigation devices, will be discussed and the panel will share their views as to how some of the current hype may disrupt the insurance value change within this decade.

 


 

REGISTER NOW
 

Jaap de Vries, Ph.D.

Innovation Consultant

FM Global
 

Dr. Jaap de Vries is a consultant in FM Global’s Innovation Team based in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. In this role, he discovers and develops new opportunities to guide the strategic planning efforts of FM Global and its mutual members. He is responsible for building a network of sources to identify, research and assess emerging signals of change in the market, new technologies and scientific advances.

Prior to his current role, Dr. de Vries served as lead research scientist at FM Global’s offices in Norwood, Massachusetts, USA. In this position, he established the Advanced Technology Laboratory and studied new, potentially disruptive technologies, such as machine learning/AI, augmented/virtual reality, drones and rapid prototyping. He also led large-scale fire testing programs in relation to radiation-activated sprinklers, lithium-ion batteries and SMART sprinklers—the findings of which resulted in new, patented sprinkler technology.  He has authored more than 35 journal and conference papers, two patents, and is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and The Combustion Institute.

 

Laurie Conner 

President

The Detection Group
 

Laurie C. Conner has led a 35-year career in high technology companies, focusing on strategy, marketing, sales and business development. She is particularly experienced in bringing new technologies and concepts to market, and enjoys the challenges of entrepreneurship and growing businesses from the ground up.

Currently Ms. Conner is President of The Detection Group, which she recently sold to Watts Water Technologies (NYSE: WTS), a publicly-traded worldwide provider of quality water solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential properties. The Detection Group provides cloud-based, IoT water solutions for the built environment.  She now finds herself in the middle of the “Internet of Things” revolution or, more specifically, the “Internet of Water.”

Ms. Conner serves on the Board of Directors of NV5 Global (NASDAQ: NVEE), a leading provider of engineering consulting solutions for public and private clients, and is Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. She lives in Emerald Hills CA.

 

Michael Styer 

AI & Edge Solution Architect 

Google
 

Michael Styer is on the Google Cloud IoT Solutions team and responsible for business and technology strategy.  His charter is to literally connect everything to Cloud, while helping customers make sense of the data in which those devices are capturing. Mike has extensive experience in the areas of engineering, machine learning and robotics and worked in the Intelligent Robotics Group for NASA.  

 

John Beauchamp, CPCU, RPLU (Moderator) 

Head of Internal Audit 

Beazley Group
 

Mr. Beauchamp has over 30 years of insurance experience and joined Beazley in 2009 to establish its’ environmental underwriting unit and then moved to lead its’ global Specialty Lines Underwriting Management team out of its London headquarters.  He has expertise in underwriting specialty lines products in both the company and Lloyd’s marketplace.

In 2019, he was appointed by the Beazley plc Board of Directors to serve as the Head of Internal Audit and works closely with the Board, Executive Management and Regulators.

He obtained his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation in 1992 and the Registered Professional Liability Underwriter designation in 1999.