Transforma logo

eHealth

 

Digital Transformation potential in eHealth

Healthcare systems worldwide are under intense pressure due to aging populations, increasing expectations of individual users and the higher costs of ever more sophisticated treatments.

A host of digitally transformative solutions can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems, treating more patients with less resources by adopting technologies such as IoT and AI. It will be critical for a diverse range of healthcare providers to adopt such technologies in order to align available resources with user expectations.

Eight key domains of change in eHealth

Overall, we have identified eight key domains of change in the eHealth sector that are enabled by digital transformation, as illustrated below.

eHealth_DC.png

These domains of change are discussed in more detail in our report Digital Transformation in the Healthcare Sector:

DX in Healthcare pages.png

The domains of change discussed in the report comprise:

  • Connected Medicine Dispensers including medicine dispensers used at home typically by the elderly to help administer the dispensing of medicines.
  • Remote Patient Monitoring encompasses connected devices used to monitor a patient’s health status including vital signs (such as heart rate, oxygen level, blood sugar level), and detection of events such as patients falls, potentially alerting care teams in case of emergency.
  • Clinical Environment Patient Monitoring includes connected beds, enhanced ICU monitoring, and wearable patient tracking tags.
  • Patient Data Management includes digitally transformative solutions used for patient records management.
  • AI-based Diagnostic Solutions including AI-based analysis of images (such as CT and MRI scans) to assist radiologists and doctors.
  • Surgical Robots including robot-assisted systems to support surgeons performing minimally invasive surgeries.
  • 3D Printing including the construction of prosthetics, joints and dental implants using additive manufacturing technologies.
  • Asset Monitoring includes tracking and monitoring solutions to safeguard hospital assets (equipment and supplies) and prevent theft and misuse.

Collectively, the activities listed above will bring significant changes to the eHealth sector.

IoT and eHealth

IoT is one of the key technology groups impacting the eHealth sector and further detail and analysis of key IoT applications for the eHealth sector can be found in Transforma Insight’s Forecast Insight Reports. Some of these applications are directly relevant to the sector, whilst others are only indirectly related.

Directly related IoT applications and Forecast Insight Reports include:

  • Personal Assistance Robots – This Application Group covers fully autonomous machines which undertake a diverse set of use cases including security monitoring, maintenance, human interaction, companionship and the performance of other tasks. This includes robotic pets, cleaning robots (e.g. Roomba), lawn mowers, exoskeletons, cooking robots, room and table delivery, and concierge services.
  • Healthcare Monitoring – Includes clinical remote monitoring for heart disease, diabetes, and pulmonary disease (COPD). Also includes wearable fitness tracking devices (but not smart watches), and various home health monitoring devices such as connected bathroom scales. Also includes patient tracking in clinical environments such as hospitals.
  • Portable Information Terminals – Portable information terminals for staff in a range of vertical contexts, including retail and hotels.
  • Telemedicine – Mobile location telemedicine to extend the reach of medical services into underserved regions, typically in emerging countries. Fixed location telemedicine to increase the convenience of provision of medical services, typically in wealthier countries.
  • Security Tracking – Includes a range of security-related applications such as for security guards, prison guards, and also offender tagging. Also includes ‘smart soldier’ equipment used by defence personnel in a military context.
  • Worker Safety – Personal monitoring and support solutions for fire service, police, and emergency medical service personnel. Also includes lone worker safety in multiple vertical industrial contexts, particularly those involving dangerous environments such as logging and mining.
  • Assisted Living – Assisted Living solutions include people tracking devices for the elderly and infirm, and comprehensive, connected medicine dispensers, assisted living solutions for patients that need significant day-to-day support or monitoring. Within the niche of assisted living, connected medicine dispensers play a crucial role and are used to promote patient adherence to prescriptions.
  • Child & Pet Tracking – Dedicated devices for tracking children, including anti-abandonment devices used to prevent children being left in cars. This Application Group does not include mobile phones, or any assisted living devices used by children. Tracking devices for pets, mostly cats and dogs but also potentially other household pets. Both kinds of tracker typically include GPS location capabilities and mobile connectivity, although some may use network triangulation based location to extend battery life.
  • Precision Specialist Robots – This Application Group comprises machinery focused on a diverse range of specific tasks including remote surgery and automated manufacturing robots. These will all operate at the highest levels of autonomy, without requirement for human intervention.

Indirectly related IoT applications and Forecast Insight Reports include:

  • Road Fleet Management – Road Fleet Management covers in-vehicle transportation logistics including job allocation, vehicle tracking, vehicle and driver monitoring, maintenance planning, safety compliance, fuel management, and incident management. It can be delivered as a service via a dedicated aftermarket device or through the factory-fit connectivity (accessed via the vehicle head unit). The forecast takes both heavy and light duty vehicles into consideration. It includes devices deployed in cars, vans, trucks and buses, along with heavy vehicles such as tractors, combine harvesters, pile drivers, tunnelling machines, cranes, and other off-road equipment. Fleet Management solutions are increasingly making use of in-vehicle cameras to monitor both outside the vehicle and within the cabin. These devices, and their consumer counterparts, can be found in the Dash Cams Application Group.
  • Unmanned Aquatic & Aerial Vehicles (Drones) – This Application Group consists of two main categories. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles comprises fixed wing and propellor powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for military, government consumer or commercial use. Unmanned Aquatic Vehicles comprise small underwater and surface vehicles, typically for military use or exploration. Neither vehicle is designed to carry humans; automation of vehicles that carry humans (e.g. full sized planes or ships in automation mode) is covered under autonomous vehicles.
  • Global IoT Forecast Report, 2023-2033
  • Trigger Devices – Devices that exist to be triggered to indicate an action needs to be taken, typically something has been filled and needs to be emptied, or something is empty and needs be filled. Examples include buttons for room service, table service, the replenishment of communal supplies, mail delivery and collection boxes, and customer voting buttons.
  • Delivery Robots – This Application Group covers small (i.e. not capable of intercity travel or carrying passengers) fully autonomous vehicles that travel on road or pavement to deliver food, beverages, retail shopping, documents and other goods.
  • Asset Monitoring – This application group encompasses a variety of assets that are suitable for remote monitoring. This includes the monitoring of livestock and associated applications such as automated feeders. It also covers the monitoring of fitness equipment located in gyms and other shared contexts. Tracking and monitoring of equipment in ambulances is also incorporated as part of the healthcare vertical. Furthermore, this Application Group includes connected video gaming machines, gambling machines and other devices such as pachinko machines. Monitoring the condition, availability, and use of assets important to public health such as life rings and defibrillators is also present in this application group, including access to potentially dangerous infrastructure such as substations.
  • Dash Cams – Aftermarket in-vehicle cameras used to record the interior or exterior of the vehicle, often to provide evidence in the event of a road accident.
  • Track & Trace – The use of trackers to monitor the location (and potentially condition) of a particular item, which could include tools, manhole covers, goods in transit or almost anything else. Can be used for supply chain efficiency, theft detection and asset location monitoring. It includes all other location tracking not elsewhere covered. Excludes shipping containers.

Other content and related analysis

Besides the detailed sector-focussed content described above, Transforma Insights offers an extensive range of thematic- and vendor-focussed research that will prove invaluable to any end-user seeking to leverage new and emerging digitally transformative technologies.

Of particular note are our Vendor Insight and CSP Peer Benchmarking reports, which provide detailed profiles of leading vendors who might be able to support a range of end-user digital transformation projects.

Our Key Topic Insight reports focus on the qualitative aspects of Digital Transformation, including investigation of interesting or noteworthy topics.

Detailed analysis of regulations that might apply to digitally transformative projects around the world can be found in our Regulatory Database. Meanwhile, our Case Study Database contains more than 1,000 case studies of technology implementations. Each case study contains detailed information on the specifics of the deployment. Used in aggregate it can provide unrivalled guidance on project prioritisation, best practice and vendor selection.

Sector Focus

Sector Report

Digital Transformation in the Healthcare Sector

REPORT | MAR 21, 2023 | Jim Morrish ; Paras Sharma ; Matt Hatton
This report examines digital transformation in the Healthcare sector as enabled by the key technology groups that are the focus of Transforma Insights’ research, including Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

Related Reports

All Reports

Supply chain transparency is the new regulatory normal

REPORT | MAY 01, 2024 | Suruchi Dhingra
Several new regulations are being introduced around the world to promote circular, sustainable, and responsible economies. The goals of these regulations are clear: businesses should deploy an efficient mechanism to review how they design, source, manufacture, dispose, reuse, and recycle products. Mechanisms often report carbon emitted at each stage to promote clean energy use, and also limit the use of harmful substances, increase the degree of reuse and recycling by material composition tracking, limit materials from certain countries, and ensure human rights obligations and thus, responsible sourcing. To track these metrics, most of these regulations stress the importance of visibility and traceability of products throughout the value chain. The accurate collection and reporting of data mandated by the regulations discussed in this report is impossible without employing digitally transformative technologies that enhance the tracking and traceability of the discussed elements. Intelligent track and trace that combines technologies such as distributed ledger, IoT, AI, and analytics will be essential to automate tracking, making it fast and efficient to trace products throughout their journey. The whole process is made efficient through the adoption of a range of techniques: Product identifiers: the key identifier information that a stakeholder needs to accurately identify a product and to access related information. Data sharing: a common standardised way to share information among all relevant stakeholders. Supply chain traceability: essential to prove provenance and qualifications by tracking the origin of materials and physical flow of goods through the value chain. IoT: all of the above drive the adoption of IoT as it enables accurate and efficient data collection. Digital supply chain twin: to virtually track journeys with change of state. Artificial intelligence: intersects with other technologies for additional insights. In this report, we discuss the major regulations (including the EU’s Batteries Regulation, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and End of Life Vehicles Directive and others and the USA’s Inflation Reduction Act, and various EV battery-related and other regulations from around the world) that are shaping the circular, ethical, and green economy. We also discuss the role technology plays in facilitating the requirements of supply chain transparency related regulations.

Personal Assistance Robots: Rapid proliferation of specialised robots driving a USD13 billion market by 2033

REPORT | MAR 23, 2024 | Nikita Singh ; Matt Arnott
This report summarises the status and forecasts from the Personal Assistance Robots Application Group found in the Transforma Insights Connected Things IoT forecast. The report provides a description of what is covered in the Application Group, as well as top-level figures from the forecast that provide detail on how many connected devices will be installed, the types of communication technology used and the total revenue opportunity. Full details are accessible through the TAM Forecast tool.

Healthcare Monitoring: 312 million devices expected by 2033, promoting health management and remote monitoring of patients

REPORT | MAR 13, 2024 | Matt Arnott ; Paras Sharma
This report provides Transforma Insights’ view on the IoT Healthcare Monitoring market. This segment comprises clinical remote monitoring devices for heart disease, diabetes, and pulmonary diseases. It also includes wearable fitness tracking devices (but not smart watches), and various home health monitoring devices such as connected bathroom scales. Monitoring of patients at home is supported by the sharing of health information with physicians to reduce the burden on clinical staff who are often grappling with challenges associated with shortages of medical personnel. The collection and sharing of patients’ health data with healthcare professionals remotely not only lowers the pressure on existing healthcare infrastructure but also improves the quality of care through continuous patient monitoring. These devices can also help in a medical emergency by alerting first responders, potentially saving a patient’s life. The report provides a detailed definition of the sector, analysis of market development and profiles of the key vendors in the space. It also provides a summary of the current status of adoption and Transforma Insights’ ten-year forecasts for the market. The forecasts include analysis of the number of IoT connections by geography, the technologies used (including splits by 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LPWA, short range, satellite and others), as well as the revenue split between module, value-added connectivity and services. A full set of forecast data, including country-level forecasts, sector break-downs and public/private network splits, is available through the IoT Forecast tool.

Portable Information Terminals: 62 million connected devices by 2033, focused on retail, hospitality, field-force and industry

REPORT | MAR 08, 2024 | Matt Arnott ; Paras Sharma
This report provides Transforma Insights’ view on the IoT market for Portable Information Terminals. This segment comprises the use of portable information terminals by employees in a range of vertical contexts, including retail and hotels. Many of these terminals will be tablets. However, to be counted as part of this forecast the tablet must be a single-purpose device used in an enterprise context. Businesses aim to improve the efficiency and productivity of their employees as part of their ongoing efforts to optimise their operations. The use of lightweight and mobile tablets supports employees in recording and presenting information digitally as well as managing resources and inventory more effectively. Industrial tablets reduce the dependency on manual labour by automating manual tasks, thereby reducing human error. The report provides a detailed definition of the sector, analysis of market development and profiles of the key vendors in the space. It also provides a summary of the current status of adoption and Transforma Insights’ ten-year forecasts for the market. The forecasts include analysis of the number of IoT connections by geography, the technologies used (including splits by 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LPWA, short range, satellite and others), as well as the revenue split between module, value-added connectivity and services. A full set of forecast data, including country-level forecasts, sector break-downs and public/private network splits, is available through the IoT Forecast tool.

In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP): new eSIM approach drives profitability and improves product performance in connected electronics manufacturing

REPORT | FEB 22, 2024 | Matt Hatton
The Transforma Insights Position Paper, sponsored by Kigen, looks at a key change happening in SIM provisioning, specifically the growing interest in In-Factory Profile Provisioning. The report starts by exploring the motivations for making use of IFPP to streamline supply chains for volume electronics manufacturers that are increasingly making use of cellular connectivity in their products. We then consider the wider concept of eSIM and remote SIM provisioning, of which IFPP is one variety, as well as considering the new GSMA standard for IFPP SGP.41/42. The report goes on to consider the benefits of using IFPP, including reducing logistics and manufacturing complexity and power saving, as well as delving into four key IoT/connectivity verticals - smart metering, automotive, fixed-wireless access, and consumer electronics, to look at the ways in which IFPP will be valuable.

Video analytics as a substitute for IoT devices

REPORT | FEB 20, 2024 | Paras Sharma
The use of video monitoring solutions has unlocked significant improvements, from round-the-clock surveillance for security purposes to object detection, gesture detection, facial recognition, and motion tracking across industries to gain real-time business insights and prescriptive analysis. Using video analytics, businesses can unlock greater value by analysing spatial and temporal information, provide instant alerts in the event of anomaly detection, and take actions when rules are flouted. Business opportunities, deployment challenges, and stakeholder complexities vary across each application. The demand for video analysis is primarily driven by the benefits that it can bring like better operational efficiency, enhanced public safety, and decreased manual work. There is a wide range of applications that can make use of some or all of these business benefits to gain a competitive advantage and provide a quality service or product to the end-user. There are 23 applications, around 7% of the total applications found in our IoT forecast database, for which video analysis can potentially substitute for IoT devices. Livestock Monitoring, Traffic Monitoring, Parking Space Monitoring, Fire and Security Alarms, Patient Tracking, and Trigger devices are some of the key IoT applications which can be substituted with video analysis. As per our analysis, Security Alarms, Stock Level Monitoring, In-Vehicle Road Pricing Devices, and Fire Alarms are the top applications in terms of connected devices that can potentially be replaced by video analysis. The number of IoT devices for the above-mentioned applications is expected to grow from around 0.9 billion in 2022 to around 2.4 billion by 2032. Even though the share of IoT devices that can be replaced by video analytics is expected to be less than 10% during the forecast period, we cannot neglect the potential of video analysis due to its business benefits and varied use cases across applications. Additionally, in cases where video analytics can substitute for LPWA connections, this substitution may represent an upsell opportunity for mobile network operators and an opportunity to deploy a higher bandwidth connection.

Ambient IoT: An emerging technology and an alternative to RFID with potential to enable tens of billions of connections

REPORT | FEB 19, 2024 | Nikita Singh ; Jim Morrish
Over the last 5 years, several communications standards bodies, starting with 3GPP and extending to IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG, have started to develop standards for ‘Ambient IoT’. The aim of the technology is to create ultra-low power, and in many cases battery-free, devices, using energy harvesting and forms of communication that piggyback on other RF sources through a technique known as backscattering. Backscattering is a communication technology that reflects ambient radiowaves to communicate with a receiver, thereby reducing the power required to communicate. Using this technology, Ambient IoT is likely to serve as an alternative for RFID and is significantly useful across multiple industry verticals such as agriculture, consumer, manufacturing, retail, utilities, transportation, and others. The resulting IoT devices are free from the monetary burden of batteries and also aid in environmental sustainability with reduce requirements for battery disposal. Ambient IoT technologies is still in a nascent stage. In this report we provide an overview of the concept, the enabling technologies, the standardisation activities that are currently under way and some of the key use cases where it will likely be useful. It also reviews some existing deployments and trials from Wiliot, HaiLa and Huawei.

Video analysis has significant potential with business benefits spanning across multiple industries

REPORT | FEB 19, 2024 | Paras Sharma
Video surveillance solutions have been in the market for a while, although they have been primarily used for safety and security. However, advances in digital technology, coupled with the rise of AI and edge analytics are expanding the application of video-based solutions across various industries, contexts and use cases. This evolution positions video analysis as a transformative technology in many scenarios. The demand for video analysis is growing as it proves beneficial in remote maintenance, operational optimisation, and improving public safety surveillance. The integration of AI-equipped cameras for object detection and behaviour analysis extends their utility across multiple industries. In this Key Topic Insight report, we explore why video analysis is needed and demonstrates how edge AI can benefit businesses by overcoming some of the challenges associated with cloud-based video analysis. The report also lists a range of use cases for video analysis across various industries, talks about some relevant case studies where video analysis has been deployed, and lists some of the major vendors and their roles in the ecosystem.

Telemedicine: 71,000 connected devices in 2033 to provide healthcare access to underserved people

REPORT | FEB 06, 2024 | Paras Sharma ; Matt Arnott ; Matt Hatton
This report provides Transforma Insights’ view on the IoT Telemedicine market. This segment comprises mobile and fixed telemedicine solutions. Some of these will be vehicles that connect remote doctors with patients for real-time consultation. Fixed telemedicine solutions include wall-mounted tablets, telemedicine carts, fixed telemedicine monitors, and remote ICUs. Globally, millions of people are uninsured, and many remain inaccessible to primary healthcare services. Fixed and mobile telemedicine solutions can provide affordable (sometimes free) healthcare facilities to underserved and hard-to-reach groups. The use of such solutions not only helps patients but also lessens the burden on healthcare providers through cost savings and efficient utilisation of resources. The report provides a detailed definition of the sector, analysis of market development and profiles of the key vendors in the space. It also provides a summary of the current status of adoption and Transforma Insights’ ten-year forecasts for the market. The forecasts include analysis of the number of IoT connections by geography, the technologies used (including splits by 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LPWA, short range, satellite and others), as well as the revenue split between module, value-added connectivity and services. A full set of forecast data, including country-level forecasts, sector break-downs and public/private network splits, is available through the IoT Forecast tool.

Security Tracking: 12.2 million connected devices by 2032, generating USD1.8 billion in revenue

REPORT | JAN 17, 2024 | Paras Sharma ; Matt Arnott
This report summarises the status and forecasts from the Security Tracking Application Group found in the Transforma Insights Connected Things IoT forecast. The report provides a description of what is covered in the Application Group, as well as top-level figures from the forecast that provide detail on how many connected devices will be installed, the types of communication technology used and the total revenue opportunity. Full details are accessible through the TAM Forecast tool.

Worker Safety: 18.2 million connected devices, generating USD3 billion revenue by 2032

REPORT | DEC 20, 2023 | Paras Sharma ; Matt Arnott
This report provides Transforma Insights’ view on the market for Worker Safety solutions involving the use of the Internet of Things. This segment comprises Emergency Services Personal monitoring and Lone Worker Safety. To provide a safe and worker-friendly environment, companies are ramping up their efforts to reduce workplace accidents and enhance the transparency and accountability of workers. Worker Safety solutions can help reduce human and capital loss due to on-site worker injuries. To address this market, manufacturers have developed connected wearable devices in multiple shapes and models which can be worn as armbands, insoles (for tracking a worker’s movement and posture), or as vests. Some devices are equipped with cameras and provide indoor and outdoor location tracking via GPS or beacons. Many devices offer SOS functionality in case of emergencies. The report provides a detailed definition of the sector, analysis of market development and profiles of the key vendors in the space. It also provides a summary of the current status of adoption and Transforma Insights’ ten-year forecasts for the market. The forecasts include analysis of the number of IoT connections by geography, the technologies used (including splits by 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LPWA, short range, satellite and others), as well as the revenue split between module, value-added connectivity and services. A full set of forecast data, including country-level forecasts, sector break-downs and public/private network splits, is available through the IoT Forecast tool.

Assisted Living: 160 million connected devices by 2032, supporting elder care

REPORT | OCT 11, 2023 | Matt Arnott ; Paras Sharma ; Matt Hatton
This report provides Transforma Insights’ view on the Assisted Living market. This segment comprises connected medicine dispensers, assisted living people tracking devices, residential care, and alarm systems. This report also provides insights on comprehensive living solutions, i.e., tracking devices and other assisted living solutions for patients that need significant day-to-day support and monitoring.

Generative AI use cases flourish across multiple domains and industries

REPORT | OCT 05, 2023 | Suruchi Dhingra
Generative AI opportunities are being increasingly explored by companies across many industries. In this Key Topic Insight Report, we start with the discussion on what generative AI is, the benefits of the technology, and how has the technology evolved over the years. We also discuss the meaning of Foundation Model and Large Language Model, the terms which appear frequently whenever generative AI is discussed. A major part of the report focuses on highlighting use cases where generative AI can be deployed to support several enterprise functions. It will help potential adopters of the technology to prioritise use cases that will benefit the most by use of generative AI. For example, it discusses the potential of the technology in customer support, IT, sales, marketing, finance and R&D functions. The report also lists examples of leading companies that are already deploying the technology within these functions. While the technology looks promising for the future, it has a flip side too. The last part of the report discusses the major challenges associated with the technology, including data bias, technical complexity, intellectual property rights and legal concerns.

Child & Pet Tracking: 19.5 million connected devices by 2030, generating USD1.2 billion

REPORT | NOV 11, 2022 | Paras Sharma ; Matt Arnott
This report examines the opportunity associated with the IoT use cases of child and pet tracking. These are still at a nascent stage with a considerable market opportunity to capture.

Precision Specialist Robots: 39 million connected devices in 2030, mostly supporting human collaboration

REPORT | OCT 26, 2022 | Paras Sharma ; Matt Arnott
This report summarises the status and forecasts from the Precision Specialist Robots Application Group found in the Transforma Insights Connected Things IoT forecast. The report provides a description of what is covered in the Application Group, as well as top-level figures from the forecast that provide detail on how many connected devices will be installed, the types of communication technology used and the total revenue opportunity. Full details are accessible through the IoT Forecast tool.

Metaverse: What does it mean for enterprise?

REPORT | APR 07, 2022 | Nikita Singh ; Matt Hatton ; Jim Morrish ; Matt Arnott
The last two years have seen significant activities in the virtual space known as the ‘metaverse’. In this report we examine the development stages of the metaverse as an element of Web 3.0 and increasing investments in the space. The report defines enterprise use-cases for metaverse and its corresponding benefits across multiple dimensions (internal vs external, people vs process, multiple interactions, real-time vs hypothetical vs historic process). It further explores in detail examples on how metaverse might be applied across various industry verticals and recommends ways in which enterprises can benefit from the emerging concept.

Digital Transformation Implementation Best Practice Report

REPORT | APR 15, 2020 | Jim Morrish ; Matt Hatton
This report is based on analysis by Transforma Insights of hundreds of Digital Transformation implementations around the world. Our team of expert analysts assessed each implementation and calibrated it against our 216 solution characteristics. The aim is to better understand the prevailing trends in technology deployment and to extrapolate best practice.
View more...
Echo Nomad Limited t/a Transforma Insights Address: 7 Albert Road, Reading, RG4 7AN, United Kingdom – Company Number: 12185723
enquiries@transformainsights.com