(Telecompaper) IBM wants to connect the Internet of Things (IoT) to the enterprise, and will invest USD 3 billion over the next four years to reach its goal. The company will establish a new IoT unit to drive insights into business operations, and build a cloud-based open platform designed to help clients and ecosystem partners build IoT systems. The new unit will be led by Pat Toole as GM. The company also announced a strategic data alliance with The Weather Channel. IBM's IoT Cloud Open Platform for Industries will provide new analytics services for IBM, clients and partners and will be used to design and deliver vertical industry IoT systems. For example, IBM will introduce a cloud-based service that will help insurance companies extract insight from connected vehicles. This will enable new, more dynamic pricing models and the delivery of services that can be highly customised to individual drivers. IBM wants customers and partners to integrate data from more IoT and traditional sources. The resources will be made available on an open platform to provide manufacturers with the ability to design and produce a new generation of connected devices and systems that are better optimised for the IoT. IBM´s IoT Ecosystem will expand, with partners ranging from silicon and device manufacturers to industry-oriented system providers such as AT&T, ARM, Semtech and The Weather Company.