An IoT (Internet of Things) platform can be described as an app or service that offers built in devices and tools to link to every “thing” in an IoT ecosystem. It provides functions such as the management of lifecycles for devices and communication with devices with data analytics connectivity and app enablement.
An IoT platform connects all the elements that comprise the overall IoT system. A IoT platform provides the basis of building IoT solutions that provide the value you expect from your company and your customers as well as to your customers consumers and partner. Through enabling you to have the control visibility and security over the connected assets IoT platforms allow you to begin and expand IoT projects quickly so that you can offer customer centric solutions and stay at the forefront of a changing market.
What is the reason to use an IoT platform?
A IoT platform is crucial for building an IoT ecosystem. It makes it easier to use IoT and makes it more secure no matter where you are along your IoT development journey. It allows you to develop intelligent smart products.
IoT is an intricate system that consists of a variety of software and devices which touch a variety of digital and physical worlds. Its not common for a company to have an in house expert across all pertinent domains in order to develop an entire array of IoT capabilities. In this “buy versus build” debate regarding IoT capabilities the majority of enterprises consider buying an IoT platform that provides the basic features and over which it is possible to build distinct algorithms and apps.
The right platform will allow users to quickly connect and monitor existing assets as well as making and supporting innovative differentiated solutions. It can help get your IoT projects up and running fast while removing the technical complexity that comes with IoT projects. It allows users to concentrate on the actual commercial outcomes.
In the future as IoT enabled solutions are becoming a more important component of how companies provide services to their clients providing IoT in a large scale is an issue. This approach works well in the initial test of concept connecting only a handful of devices may not work as well in the long run. For example there is a tendency that system management becomes debilitating to innovation or even to see costs are out of hand as thousands of devices are deployed.
In addition IoT solutions are a service not a plan or product. They do not have a specific beginning and ending date however they do have a life cycle that requires management. IoT products that are not built on having the correct IoT platform mean developers could have to switch away from creating new products and instead focus on providing support maintenance and updates to existing ones. As a result IoT maintenance become a cost center which leads to unavoidable tradeoffs between maintaining what you already are using and creating new solutions.
In light of these aspects the quickest most viable way towards IoT innovation isnt buying or building its to purchase and construct. The purchase of a versatile IoT platform provides the basis for differentiation and improvement. Solutions that are ready to use help you get the business goals you want to achieve quickly and easily while the intuitive software allows you to quickly build your own products on top of. The result is a sturdy and reliable IoT platform that serves as the basis that can create differentiation and innovation.
IoT Platform Capabilities
On a fundamental level IoT platforms should allow you to link and control your devices effortlessly they will provide app integration and enabling tools and then analyze the IoT information to gain actionable insights.
IoT connections
Connection is at the center of IoT the devices are linked through protocols in order to exchange data and provide new insights. IoT platforms are a great way to connect devices. IoT platform offers out of the box connectivity to a variety of devices and protocols.
In the case of devices that dont have the standards IoT protocols for devices that do not support standard IoT protocols an IoT platform can be particularly useful in the event that it has a Software Development Kit (SDK) for integrating devices into the ecosystem. The most popular IoT platforms allow integration and connectivity using publically identified APIs.
IoT device lifecycle management
A IoT platform lets you monitor the lifecycle of IoT devices and sensors from the planning stage onboarding and maintenance and monitoring to the end of their life cycle from a central place. The robust lifecycle management of devices are frequently overlooked in the early stages of IoT projects when they are focused on developing and launching the solution yet theyre crucial for scaling a rollout and ensure reliable performance.
Enterprise IoT users must update and connect with devices with security controlled and controlled manner. A good example of this is bulk enrollment of devices. The other is to update software and firmware in order to ensure efficiency reliability and security. The IoT platform is able to monitor and access important data quickly like data about system resources as well as alarms and error messages cell signal strength GPS position.
Scalable IoT Data management
IoT data provides a wealth of knowledge. A IoT platform is able to handle data logs storage processing and storing as well as managing data transactions. IoT data originates from a range of different devices and places and covers a variety of kinds of data. IoT platforms are able to orchestrate actions in real time based on data and also coordinate longer term storage and analysis of huge data sets to support the analytics.
IoT connection
A IoT platform should provide more than just an inactive location for the data collected by IoT sensors. IoT must be integrated to fulfil its potential since the ability to integrate IoT data into other systems increases the value as it allows you to use the information gained from IoT within your current procedures and systems to make more effective business decisions.
IoT platforms offer an efficient and easy route towards IoT integration. It is possible to integrate data from devices with cloud apps enterprise applications software large data applications data lakes and other third party ecosystems. You can automate steps workflows processes and activities that are shared across the operations technology (OT) as well as the information technology (IT) assets ideally without programming.
IoT application development
The process of creating and maintaining IoT applications takes technical know how along with time and funds. The use of an IoT platform that has application capabilities can assist in removing the technical obstacles in the process of developing and deploying apps.
Numerous companies see the value of providing the IoT users to build specific applications by using an application builder or by expanding the default apps on the platform in order to satisfy their unique companys needs and demands.
In addition to modifying existing applications in response the needs of customers to expanding successful apps to scale them up an IoT software enablement system provides customers with self service no code devices for constructing deployment operating and developing customized IoT applications.
IoT Analytics of data
The worth of IoT does not lie only in the array of sensors and devices an company monitors but rather in the relevant and accurate data that is derived from the IoT sensors and devices. Furthermore the value of that data is in the analytics.
IoT analytics that includes historic analytics as well as real time analytics and predictive analytics adds contextual information to IoT information to uncover valuable information so that you can take accurate immediate decisions that yield benefits.
A IoT platform equipped with robust analytic capabilities allows you to gain analyze this data to uncover the insights. Dashboards can be created which combine data to give you one look at the state of every device and the way your program is performing.
A IoT platform equipped with self service analytics allows crucial information in the people of many. The more accessible you make your information the better impact they have on the whole company.
IoT platforms: From cloud to the edge
A variety of IoT platforms operate in the cloud in order to make use of the speed scale cost savings and accessibility all over the globe. If you are a company that has remote assets its crucial to numerous customers to have an IoT platform to be able to handle cutting edge computing.
IoT edge computing allows data processing close to sensors rather than transferring an entire stream of data to cloud. This is a benefit to companies that use sensors or devices located in areas that are not connected generate excessive amounts of data to be sent in a cost effective manner to the cloud or require millisecond response to analytics.
IoT edge computing operates on the spectrum of. On one hand the thin edges are defined by the architecture in which data from devices is collected and then transmitted to a central processing. Thin Edge is light and flexible approach that allows the latest or upcoming devices with a straightforward and quick way of connecting to existing systems. Thin edge is typically used in applications that require resources constrained low power sensors.
Thin edge can be found on one side in the range. In the case of a thick edge processing happens less centralized and happens close to the data gathering. Think about the process that happens within the case of an autonomous vehicle. Instead of sending data from sensors to remote servers and resulting in delays that are too long to adapt to changes that occur suddenly on the roadway vehicles system processes data onboard to enable autonomous navigation.
In order to benefit from IoT edge computing to benefit from edge computing an IoT platform will allow users to create solutions at once and then deploy them everywhere: anywhere on cloud in the edges or even on your own premises.
What exactly is an IoT platform function?
A IoT platform is a device that supports the communication and connectivity among all components of your IoT ecosystem using one app. It integrates the devices and sensors starting from creating a new device to connecting in bulk hundreds of devices. It lets you control your devices remotely and groups of devices like upgrading the software and firmware on your devices. A IoT platform also facilitates data transfer and apply analytic techniques to the collected data. This allows access to IoT devices data in both an extremely high and granular level.
What are the best ways to select an IoT platform?
Technicality Is the technology able to simplify the technical aspects of IoT projects? Does it need large expenditures of time and money for its establishment and maintenance?
Scalability Do the platforms be able to scale efficiently when a variety of devices are linked? It can it be scaled to facilitate managing many devices over their lifespan?
Flexibility The platform let you use the cloud or hardware that you choose? Can it let you test new concepts as well as business strategies?
Extensibility The platform allow you to develop your own unique service?
Simple: Does this platform let you run on a uniform architectures from the edge to the cloud and even on premises?
Universality: Does the platform enable every stakeholder in your organization including development teams equipment operators and business leads to build solutions define rules create dashboards and manage other aspects of the platform?
Security is the website accredited with the top quality of security?
Cost and Return What is the potential for this platform? It could lower IoT operational expenses assist you to increase your revenues and provide an impressive Return on Investment?
Speed The platform will allow you to create effective pilot projects that you can test and develop new services and capabilities?
The visibility Analytics will be easily accessible to a large number of employees in your company?
Support Are you able to be able to access professional support as well as experts to assist you in your IoT process and help your team to be successful?
IoT platforms advantages
Software AGs Cumulocity IoT platform is an IoT platform that makes things easier by providing self service tools as well as a configuration driven method. It is designed to provide you with full control and visibility of the various assets that are remote within your company using a reliable platform that which you can rely on.
Cumulocity IoT platform Cumulocity IoT platform allows you to get more out of IoT to achieve faster business outcomes and constant technological innovation. It provides enterprise grade IoT with unparalleled durability security and reliability.
Check out the article and discover what our customers who are truly connected can accomplish with Cumulocity IoT.
IoT platform is able to support innovative business models
“As a service” business models help clients stay in touch with their clients and create advantages by developing unique products and products that generate and recurring revenues.
But converting towards new business models and changing to a relationship based on service isnt easy.
A IoT platform gives businesses the details they need to move confidently. It assists businesses in building connections with customers by providing regular services that allow remote monitoring as well as more advanced field service and also monitoring performance which all help increase the user experience.
The most forward looking are building Equipment as a Service (EaaS) models that package products and services in an integrated offering.
IoT platform scaleability
As IoT connected services become more important in providing services to customers having the use of an IoT platform to increase your capacity is extremely useful. IoT initiatives typically start tiny but expand rapidly after the initial successes are realized. The ideal IoT platform must have the ability to be used with a prototype and make use of the same platform as well as interfaces to grow to more locations devices as well as data point. A platform that can are scalable and even when deployments multiply is even more effective.
Cumulocity IoT model has pricing that scales according to deployments that allow you to experiment with innovative concepts and business models with no significant upfront expenditures.
IoT Security of the platform
A IoT security program is a must for running a business in the current digitally connected world. Without a security solution your company is at risk of hacks and data security attacks. Personal information could be exposed and used to harm the security and integrity of your business clients and your the business partners you work with.
This is why security is integrated into the Cumulocity IoT software development process and is integrated in every single piece of software.
A IoT platform makes managing the protection of your IoT assets much simpler. Our IoT security solution offers high quality capabilities including security grade multi tenancy and scalability high availability and encryption. This makes it perfect for every IoT usage scenario.
IoT Platform cost reductions
A IoT platform can save companies significant expenses for developing IoT capability within their own facilities. In addition the right IoT platform can help companies increase revenue by leveraging value added capabilities in order to provide IoT services.
Additionally youll be making money through Cumulocitys advanced features like remote monitoring and predictive maintenance for instance by eliminating the costs of maintenance repairs or downtime that is not planned.
IoT platforms enable sustainability
A IoT platform promotes sustainable growth by connecting physical world. Through knowledge of the performance of equipment as well as where assets are as well as the amount of sources your business is using you have the capability to guide the most efficient actions more productive production and more efficient consumption.
Monitoring tools help you analyze your consumption of energy and to understand the extent of your ecological footprint. By using IoT monitoring you are able to monitor your energy consumption and emissions from a granular to the global level and discover methods to cut down on your carbon emissions. Get insights into the use of equipment as well as assisting with maintenance improvements for extending the life of your equipment. Control and minimize waste more effectively. Find the source of your the materials and learn how they could be developed to promote the circular economy.