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
When you arrive at Fog World Congress 2018, watch out for the robots. Autonomous mapping robots will be traversing and mapping the venue floor in real-time for conference attendees. (more…)
September 14, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
September 13, 2018
Posted by: IoT global network
Event organisers announced the lineup of more than 60 presenters, session tracks, tutorials and panel sessions for Fog World Congress 2018, produced by the OpenFog Consortium in collaboration with (more…)
August 27, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Last month saw two major telecoms and tech events take place in two very different cities, in the space of just two weeks. First came 5G World – part of London Tech Week’s TechXLR8 – which encompassed eight separate events that (more…)
August 15, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Kerlink, a global provider in solutions dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT), and Croatia-based AdriNet have joined forces to speed adoption of LoRaTM low-power, wide-area networks across the entire Adriatic region with Kerlink’s products and services. (more…)
August 9, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Security takes priority when it comes to the development and deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT), with Gartner predicting that by 2020, IoT security will make up 20% of annual security budgets. (more…)
July 27, 2018
Posted by: Zenobia Hegde
ROHM and Kionix, Inc. have introduced the RoKi Sensor Node, a key component in the new RoKi IoT Platform. The sensor node utilizes Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52840 Bluetooth 5/Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) advanced multiprotocol System-on-Chip (SoC), (more…)
June 25, 2018
Posted by: Zenobia Hegde
Cellular and non-cellular LPWA network connections will grow globally at a 53% CAGR until 2023, driven by market growth in smart meters and asset trackers, according to a new report from ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm providing strategic guidance on the most compelling transformative technologies. (more…)
June 12, 2018
Posted by: Zenobia Hegde
At Small Cells World Summit in London, Ranplan Wireless will be featuring Ranplan Professional, its flagship product that bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor design to plan and deploy Small Cell, DAS and Wi-Fi networksacross in-building and densified urban environments in coordination. (more…)
May 21, 2018
Posted by: Zenobia Hegde