Smart connected devices, ubiquitous wireless connectivity, and scalable cloud computing have created a platform for the Internet of Things (IoT). These IoT platforms enable organizations to monitor, control, optimize, and automate their operations in ways that were previously unimaginable. In many industries, the Internet of Things is disrupting traditional business models, forcing companies to ask fundamental questions.
This leads many private and public sector organizations to wonder how they can use the Internet of Things to create new sources of value. Some people use it to deliver new operational improvements. Remote asset management allows organizations to track assets in real time and use their field teams much more efficiently. Preventive maintenance reduces downtime by replacing parts before they fail. Real-time analytics help employees make better decisions. Intelligent IoT systems can automate repetitive and predictable processes.
IoT systems
The Internet of Things extends internet connectivity beyond traditional devices such as desktops and laptops, smartphones and tablets, to a wide variety of everyday devices and things that use embedded technology to communicate and interact with the outside environment, all via the internet.
But at the moment there is a wide array of technologies that can be accurately described as enabling IoT. Only at the network level is Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, RFID, Wi-Fi, Cellular, Z-Wave, 6LowPAN, Thread, NFC, Sigfox, Neul, LoRaWAN, Alljoyn, IoTivity, Weave, Homekit, MQTT, CoAP, JSON- LD and many others that can and do play a role in IoT implementations.
IoT applications
IoT systems develop applications in various industries thanks to their exceptional flexibility and the ability to adapt to any environment. They streamline data collection, automation, operations and much more with smart devices and powerful assistive technology.
IoT is everywhere, but there are certainly a few industries where it’s more prevalent. Heavy industry is probably the sector that has worked the longest with IoT concepts, thanks to SCADA and robotics, and has its own IoT subtype – industrial IoT, or often just IIoT. Sharing data for maintenance and operational purposes makes industrial equipment much more responsive and usable, and creates a much safer working environment.
IoT security
IoT security is an area of activities related to the protection of connected devices and networks in the Internet of Things (IoT). The first thing that most people think of when they think about IoT security is encryption. If you are one of these people, don’t worry, you are not completely incorrect. Encryption is an important security component, but it’s only part of the story. However, encryption alone does not provide security in the way most people think.
Security, like most things, has a diminishing return versus cost curve. What IoT requires is a good balance between fairly strong security measures that are economical and massively scalable. The first major problem is that a compromised IoT device may, in some cases, offer access to the corporate network to a malicious entity. Poorly secured smart TV, security camera – everything that has access to the network is a potential attack vector.
IoT interoperability
The full benefits of the Internet of Things are only realized when enough devices are able to communicate with each other – and that’s the big problem. The number of different players in the market covers a wide range, both horizontally, in terms of functionality, and vertically, between different industries.
With a huge number of companies “doing IoT” – most major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, Intel, and IBM, have all sorts of fun with IoT – all working to get as many users as possible into their respective ecosystems , sometimes there is a lack of motivation to ensure that IoT systems and devices from different vendors work together.
IoT platforms
One IoT device connects to another to transfer information using internet transfer protocols. IoT platforms serve as a bridge between device sensors and data networks.
Here are some of the best IoT platforms on the market today:
Amazon Online Services
Microsoft Azure
IoT ThingWorx platform
Watson by IBM
Cisco IoT Cloud Connect
Salesforce IoT Cloud
Oracle Integrated Cloud
GE Predix
