Internet of Everything (IoE) is touted as the next big thing in 2014. Tech pundits, Silicon Valley executives, entrepreneurs and government officials predict that Internet of Everything will be a "multi-trillion dollar business," which has the potential to transform our physical world with a variety of remotely operated objects. Cisco predicts some 25 billion devices will be connected by 2015, and 50 billion by 2020.

Within the public sector, IoE has the capacity to reveal new ways to manage infrastructure, reduce operational costs and improve the lives of citizens with innovative service offerings. This includes public safety initiatives involving first responders, physical  security and fleet management in municipalities. For example, IoE helps keep first responders in constant communication with dispatchers, traffic management systems, and other agencies.  It can also provide  greater situational awareness with onsite video surveillance access and other environmental sensors.   Similarly, IoE also provides greater safety and convenience for passengers and drivers with real-time monitoring of vehicles, GPS data mapped to schedules and interactive onboard services.

Today, less than 1 percent of the devices in the world are connected. By 2020, however, IoE will truly transform the way we connect people, systems and governments. We have the opportunity to reshape the future of urban centers and educational facilities by making them more livable, safe, and intelligent, which can enhance the quality of life for everyone.

In order to further enhance the possibilities of IoE in the public sector, Cisco and AGT have announced a strategic smart city alliance to transform the management and security of urban centers using cloud technology and edge analytics, known as "fog" computing. As recently highlighted in Wim Elfrink's post, this partnership combines Cisco intelligent networking infrastructure with AGT's software platforms to enable the integration of previously disparate data. Together, Cisco and AGT will harness the untapped potential of IoE in order to create more efficient and predictable city management.

Read the press release to learn more about smart cities. How do you see the internet of everything impacting your city?

Follow Dan Kent on twitter at @I_Am_DanKent