The internet of things, which digitally connects things like freezers and refrigerators to the internet, is playing a larger role in helping Walmart improve its operational efficiency, Sanjay Radhakrishnan, vice president of global technology, writes in a recent blog post. The retailer is using software it developed to spot mechanical problems and Radhakrishnan notes that the technology "also looks at how the equipment is performing and takes proactive steps towards maintenance repairs to reduce the cost and down time caused by equipment failure."