# The Use of the Internet of Things in the Distribution Logistics of Consumables
## 1 Introduction
### Key Views of the Authors on the Definition of IoT  
The term IoT and its concept were introduced in 1999 by [PERSON]--the founder of the Auto-ID research group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The latter defines it as an integrator of surrounding objects into a single network that exchange information with each other in real time, without human intervention [4]. Objects that are integrated include technologies such as wireless communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. ), microelectronic systems (intelligent sensors and chips), and, of course, the Internet. With their help, a huge amount of data is transferred all over the world. The author of Tran-Dang, [PERSON] [5] writes in his publication that the vision of the Internet of Things (IoT) allows multiple embedded devices, objects, and people with limited resources to connect through the Internet Protocol for ubiquitous data exchange. Logistics is seen as a key player aiming to achieve full visibility and transparency by leveraging ubiquitous interconnectivity to collect reliable and secure real-time data. In addition, valuable information extracted and transformed from IoT data can be used to create intelligent services and applications to improve logistics activities as well as the overall performance of logistics operations [5]. Figure 1 shows the dramatic development and authors' interest in IoT, where we show the number of publications available on the topic of IoT in the years 2000-2023. Authors describing advanced IoT technology differ in their definitions only by the point of view of the industry that influences the author. In their publication, [PERSON] et al. and their team define it as the ability of things and devices around us to connect with each  
Figure 1: Number of Internet of Things publications available in databases 2000–2023. other with elements of intelligent behavior and management [6]. More recent publications state that it is about creating an ecosystem for mutual communication and collaboration between physical devices and the Internet to improve efficiency, automate processes, and provide new opportunities for various industries, such as healthcare, industry, logistics, and manufacturing [7]. The author uses the term ecosystem as a metaphor for the expression of the word base or basic element. The main idea that technology companies are playing with is the creation of a worldwide infrastructure of interconnected physical things that would provide connectivity anytime and anywhere [8]. Gradually, more and more cyber components are integrated into physical systems and thus include a larger spectrum of things around us. The basic pillars on which IoT is built are:  
* Sensors and devices--Their task is to collect various data from their surroundings. These are, for example, thermometers, motion sensors, GPS devices, or sensors for measuring humidity, light, and sound, up to vital function meters [9]. * Connection to the Internet--Devices must be connected to the Internet, which allows data to be transferred to and from these devices [10]. The connection can be implemented through various technologies, including WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, and 5G, but also special protocols for IoT (for example, LoRaWAN and NB-IoT.) * Cloud solutions--Data from these devices are usually sent to cloud servers, where they are stored, processed, and analyzed. These solutions enable centralized access to data and their further use [11]. * Data processing and analysis--An important part is the ability to process and analyze a large amount of data generated from these devices [12]. It may include machine learning techniques and data analysis to extract useful information. * Feedback and control--Based on data analysis and intelligent algorithms, IoT devices can respond to changes in the environment and perform various tasks, including controlling other devices or generating alerts and messages. * Applications and user interfaces--Data and analysis results can be presented to users through applications or other user interfaces [13].