While you can do IoT without an IoT platform, it certainly aids getting an IoT solution up and running quickly and probably at lower cost than alternative approaches. Middleware is needed to enable communications between the OT (operation technology) domain where data is generated and the business IT (information technology) domain where it is used. That’s the baseline function of an IoT platform. Middleware is also employed to facilitate secure monitoring, control and analysis of device and sensor behaviour in the field. IoT platforms are therefore a key enabling product. Their functionality largely determines the performance and efficiency of IoT solutions.
Given the prognosis for the growth of IoT it is hardly surprising that a plethora of platform vendors have thrown their hat into the arena. Depending on what the term ‘IoT platform’ covers, right now there are upwards of 500 in the market in all shapes and sizes. That means the market is ultra-competitive and it is also confusing because vendors make similar, often overhyped claims for their product. In addition, it is hard to make apples versus apples comparisons since the platforms often address different requirements. A solution that employs over a hundred thousand devices will need a platform that is communications centric. One that requires integration with existing enterprise systems required will require a robust device management capability.
Those are two of five major categories that Beecham Research employs. In addition to device management and connectivity they include security, application development and data management/analytics as well as vertical market-specific platforms, such as Smart City oriented and developer-oriented. Vendors will typically focus on their area of expertise, but platform strengths have to align with solution needs: it’s a make or break issue. Therefore the requisite solution may involve a combination of different platforms covering different layers in the overall IoT stack.
Replacing confusion with clarity
Evaluating the performance of 500 platforms is clearly a difficult, time-consuming process and it becomes an even more significant issue when two or more platforms are required. Users may elect to “play safe” and go with one of the heavy hitters. However – which one? This can also result in a platform that is expensive, over-engineered and not optimised for the particular solution requirement.
Beecham Research recognised the emergence of this issue and created a comprehensive database on the various platforms as well as a matching tool known as IoT Pilot. Users enter their baseline requirements and IoT Pilot is then employed to navigate the database and give the user a list of vendors whose products match the performance criteria.
Performance parameters are analysed and presented in a structured way for all products, which facilitates comparisons. In addition, there is background information on the relevant vendors, bullet points on the key strengths and categories, together with a “heat map”. This is a 5 x 5 matrix (example above) comprising performance indicators mapped against generic platform functionality. These maps allow users to see a platform’s functionality and performance parameters and thereby obtain a holistic, memorable impression.
In a nutshell, the service replaces multiple product confusion with insightful clarity.
October 19, 2018
Posted by: IoT global network
An advanced security product for IoT devices has been unveiled at the IoT Solutions World Congress. Developed by the UK company, Crypto Quantique, it is aiming to become the foundational security product for every IoT device in the world. (more…)
October 17, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
NetFoundry announced its partnership with Micron Technology, Inc. and Tata Communications to provide zero trust silicon-to-cloud secured connectivity via any (more…)
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Software AG announced an extended partnership with Dell Technologies in which the company will bundle Software AG’s Cumulocity IoT Edge with a selection of Dell’s servers. (more…)
October 11, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Telit, a global enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT), announced a contract with China Unicom IoT Co., Ltd, which will use Telit’s deviceWISE IoT Platform to streamline the process of integrating and managing IoT devices and applications. (more…)
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
The next generation IR sensor 2.0 will be more flexible, much thinner and cheaper to manufacture than old sensors. This opens up for a big improvement and more areas of use within IoT. (more…)
October 4, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
The Wi-SUN Alliance, a global ecosystem of member companies seeking to accelerate the implementation of open standards-based Field Area Networks (FAN) and the Internet of Things (IoT), (more…)
October 3, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have significant security and performance drawbacks for use in networking cloud applications. This was the start-point for a recent survey and primary research by industry analysts, Futuriom, that (spoiler alert) leads the firm to conclude that Application Specific Networking (ASN) may be a way forward. (more…)
October 1, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Iridium Communications Inc. has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) and has been collaborating with AWS on the development of Iridium CloudConnect, the first and only satellite cloud-based solution that offers truly global coverage for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. (more…)
September 28, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
The Georgia Institute of Technology’s Centre for the development and application of Internet of Things Technologies (CDAIT) has released a research report titled “Foundational Research in Integrated Building – Internet of Things (IoT) Data Standards”. (more…)
September 11, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello