Assemble integration flows easily and start automated actions based on IoT events. Consumer IoT refers to personal and wearable devices that connect to the internet. In a smart city, IoT sensors and deployments, such as smart streetlights and smart meters, can help alleviate traffic, conserve energy, monitor and address environmental concerns and improve sanitation. Smart buildings can, for instance, reduce energy costs using sensors that detect how many occupants are in a room.
The number of elements (devices) connected to IoT zones is increasing day by day. It can be either expand capability in terms of processing power, storage, etc. as vertical scaling or horizontal scaling by multiplying with easy cloning. It’s important to understand that many companies aren’t using IoT platforms—they’re developing their own platforms in-house. But, depending on how you want to go to market, it may be smart to research pre-built options. Depending on your situation, you may save a lot of time and money by partnering with one of these platforms.
Why use an IoT platform?
Compose and extend apps that take advantage of data and analytics from your connected devices and sensors. In the retail industry, IoT devices can be used to track customer behavior, monitor inventory levels and optimize store layouts. For example, sensors can be used to track foot traffic in a store and analyze customer behavior, allowing retailers to optimize product placement and improve the customer experience. IoT devices can also be used to monitor supply chains, track shipments and manage inventory levels.
It should be hybrid, supporting different manufacturer’s products to function in the IoT network. Connectivity should be guaranteed from any devices on any network then only devices in a network can communicate with each other. Whether you’re an engineer, a plant manager, a machinist, or an executive, platforms have concrete benefits. You’ve probably heard the phrase iot platform vendors “data is the new oil.” That’s because data is quickly becoming the most valuable good on the planet. Platforms collect data automatically, making a new level of visibility and insights possible. Further, IIoT platforms make it possible for different for operation machines to communicate with other machines (also known as Machine to Machine or M2M communication).
Products
IoT products are very complex because they have to integrate multiple components across the 5 layers of the IoT technology stack. Since this post is about IoT platforms, I’ll focus on the Technology Decision Area of my IoT Decision Framework. Before launching into product development and IoT platform selection, you need to make sure you have a solid IoT product strategy. Based on this simplified description, a good IoT platform should provide the tools and infrastructure to cover as many of these tasks as possible.
Research shows that manufacturing is moving toward a micro-services and applications model fast. This is because modern manufacturing, where conditions and requirements change often, requires an agile approach. They are enablers, tools for creating new connections and applications. They’re generative, meaning they’re useful precisely because they make new things possible.
Selecting an IoT platform: business-related and functional criteria
The Internet of Things has a wide-ranging impact on human life and work. It allows machines to do more heavy lifting, take over tedious tasks and make life more healthy, productive, and comfortable. Likewise, IoT in healthcare has expanded in the use of wearables and in-home sensors that can remotely monitor a patient’s health.
In 2020, the number of IoT devices continued to grow along with cellular IoT, which now worked on 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G as well as LoRaWAN and long-term evolution for machines, or LTE-M. With IoT, data is transferable over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interactions. Many of the IoT platforms on the market today handle bits and pieces of all three types—and this is both good and bad. Powered by AI and IoT data, connected and intelligent assets can optimize performance, adapt to changing circumstances, and help ensure continuity. By applying Watson IoT to their manufacturing shops, L’Oreal was able to maximize flexibility, agility and product quality. Many Product Leaders are worried that investors will see less value in their product if they are leveraging third-party components or IoT platforms.
How to choose an IoT platform
M2M refers to connecting a device to the cloud, managing it and collecting data. This identity is helpful in communication, tracking and to know status of the things. If there is no identification then it will directly affect security and safety of any system because without discrimination we can’t identify with whom one network is connected or with whom we have to communicate. So there should be clear and appropriate discrimination technology available between IoT networks and devices. In the transportation industry, IoT devices can be used to monitor vehicle performance, optimize routes and track shipments.
So as we’ve outlined this list of things that platforms are, you can see just why they’re hard to define. A given platform might include some, all, or any of the bulleted features. Therefore, it’s extremely important to brainstorm what your complete IoT system will look like at scale and select which features are most important to you first—then decide what platform type you need. Another consideration is whether companies are trying to save money or save time. Platforms that are going to save time are likely more expensive in the long run, and platforms that will save money might be more difficult to integrate upfront. This blog explores why data management is key to a viable IoT strategy, and how you can take the first steps in managing the data tidal wave.
Privacy and security concerns
In AIoT devices, AI is embedded into infrastructure components, such as programs and chipsets, which are all connected using IoT networks. Application programming interfaces (APIs) are then used to ensure all hardware, software and platform components can operate and communicate without effort from the end user. From 76 manually configured systems, IotSan detects 147 vulnerabilities (i.e., violations of safe physical states/properties).
- This data can be analyzed in real time to identify patterns, trends and anomalies that can help businesses optimize their operations and improve their bottom line.
- Gain insights on equipment use, supporting improved maintenance to extend the equipment’s lifespan.
- Examples of IoT analytics platforms include Watson by IBM, C3 AI, SparkCognition, and UpTake.
- Or Cloud providers like Microsoft who have a robust IoT device platform (Azure Sphere).
- Many of them clearly are focusing on the use cases, preferences and needs of buyers on various levels, whereby integration is a key one.
- This brewery used AI technology from IBM to improve their processes and minimize waste.
MachNation is one of many who studies the IoT platform market with its annual ScoreCards. According to MachNation, total IoT platform revenue will reach USD3.3 billion in 2018, a growth of 89 percent in comparison with 2017. The categories which MachNation uses for its test and rankings are divided into several subcategories where performance is gauged. As mentioned in an article on the MachNation 2018 IoT AEP ScoreCard, the MachNation MIT-E test lab for IoT platforms looks at several IoT platform test categories from the perspective of performance and overall evaluation.
Company
Taking M2M to the next level, IoT is a sensor network of billions of smart devices that connect people, computer systems and other applications to collect and share data. Crucially, platforms give frontline organizations control over their lines and processes in ways that were previously impossible. They enable engineers to design new applications (work instructions, inline quality checks, machine monitoring) or configure application templates specifically for their lines. IIoT platforms are systems for connecting frontline industrial processes with backend information systems. They include hardware and software and enable organizations to develop new applications.