Before making the Internet of Things (IoT) strategy, you must know exactly what it is. The answer is pretty simple: IoT is the network of physically existing devices, objects, automobiles, etc. They consist of sensors and software chips that can collect or exchange data. In addition, IoT enables objects to control or sense the existing network’s infrastructure remotely. Here are some steps to jump-start the successful IoT journey:
Make a Business Case
Initially, decide the objectives and state the value proposition. Then, look into instances where you can create opportunities by connecting the objects. Also, determine how the machine data controlled by different sources can shrink operating charges, improve efficiency and make judgments for timely decisions.
Select the Right IoT Platform
Be careful about the risks of complexity that come with running multiple systems. Experts recommend a partnership with an IoT platform vendor that offers a unified framework for all IoT requirements. Many software vendors have invaded the market recently, showing IoT products. But few provide complete services and products.
Without a complete platform, you must depend on different partners for development. As a result, it will increase the complexity and system integration costs.
Build and Test
The IoT value chain is about integration, from edge devices to sensors, enterprise systems to gateways, and beyond. A major challenge to the promise of IoT applications is that a system must integrate all the IoT value chain components. But unlocking the potential of numerous intelligent things is difficult because of required communication standards.
Building IoT applications require a lot of time and resources. An IoT architecture with various APIs will simplify the interoperability task among heterogeneous objects.
Deploy – Internet of Things
The main asset of Internet of Things applications is sensor data. When the sensors generate a huge amount of data, inspecting and obtaining real-time insights is a major challenge. Therefore, prepare the business to control that magnitude, and data variety as the number of devices might scale.
From the functional point of view, complex algorithms need to transform the sheer data volume into business intelligence. It is important to have a powerful analytical tool to unlock the data value for business decisions.
Manage and Maintain
Managing remote assets is not so difficult when you ingrain big data, mobility, and cloud in your IoT architecture. Mobile applications complement IoT as you can control assets with a single move by receiving notifications and alerts in case of deviation in connected devices. For instance, a facilities manager for a mobile tower site may receive real-time information on the fuel status of the generator.
Similarly, a smartphone with in-built sensors acts as a connectivity hub with the ability to connect with the environment and paves the path for myriad applications. Clearly, IoT solutions are more valuable when mobile apps accompany them.
Final Thoughts
The future of the Internet of Things will be full of new inventions. According to experts, there will be around 20 to 30 billion devices connected to the internet by the end of 2022. This figure has kept on increasing in the last few years.
