In this episode of Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge, Mike talks with Adam Livesay, founder of Elevate IoT, about what it really takes to modernize industrial and manufacturing companies with connected technology.

Adam shares how IoT adoption began with smarter machines—but stalled because organizations weren’t ready to handle the data. Early customers didn’t have APIs, data governance, or security models in place, and the underlying cloud tooling was still immature. Elevate IoT stepped in to bridge that gap, especially for off-highway and mid-tier OEMs that couldn’t afford massive internal IoT teams.

Using the “Fitbit for machines” analogy, Adam explains how Elevate helps manufacturers monitor machine health, efficiency, and usage in real time, while also connecting CRM, ERP, dealer networks, and supply chains. He gives concrete examples of how real-time data replaces 30–90 day delays, improves inventory and manufacturing decisions, and enables proactive service and aftermarket sales.

The conversation also explores leadership lessons from building a cross-functional, industry-native team, why listening matters more than directing for new leaders, and how different departments process information differently. Adam closes by looking ahead to edge computing, AI-driven service insights, and the looming challenge of an aging industrial workforce paired with increasingly complex machines.

Key takeaways:

Why IoT is a systems problem, not a sensor problem

How real-time machine data drives better business decisions

What differentiates Elevate IoT in a crowded supplier ecosystem

How leadership and collaboration shape technical outcomes