South Africa's public sector could experience a value-added boost of $14.3 billion over the next decade if it utilises ‘internet of everything’ (IoE) technology, according to networking firm Cisco.

IoE involves everything being connected to the internet such as people, roads, homes and cars.

And according to a Cisco research study, IoE could help the SA government create value by saving money, improving employee productivity, generating new revenue and enhancing citizen benefits.

The report titled “Internet of Everything: A $4.6 trillion Public-Sector Opportunity” found that South Africa's government could maximise on the value of the public sector on two levels.

The first being a city level where Cisco has predicted that the value-add of IoE over the next decade could reach $12.3 billion.

Government could deliver on this level, for example, through strategies such as smart grids, cyber security, travel, mobile collaboration and chronic disease management, says the study.

According to Cisco, a second area that could generate value for the country's public sector is at a citizen level, where the value-add is estimated at $2 billion for the country.

The top five avenues through which government could tap into the IoE value on a citizen level are payments, counterfeit drug programmes, chronic disease management, telework and smart street lighting, reveals the study.

“With more than two thirds of South Africans living in urban centres and more migrating into these areas daily, our cities must become more flexible and responsive to citizen needs, while making the most of public resources,” says David Mphelo, Cisco South Africa executive director of public business.

“The internet of everything is transforming how cities deliver services and how citizens interact with government,” says Mphelo in a statement.

Mphelo added, “Our public-sector leaders in South Africa are also under tremendous pressure to bridge the gap between rising citizen expectations and shrinking resources and they should act now to identify major IoE opportunities and begin by reimagining what is possible in an IoE world.”

Global predictions for the IoE include smart buildings poised to generate $100 billion by lowering operating costs and reducing energy consumption.

In addition initiatives such as smart parking could create a $41 billion value-add by providing real-time visibility into the availability of parking spaces across a city.

In conclusion, the research study predicts that globally IoE could generate $4.6 trillion in value for public sector organisations over the next decade.