Rockwell Automation and PTC announced that they have launched FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, powered by PTC, a software suite that enables companies to optimise their industrial operations and enhance productivity by providing decision makers with improved data and insights. (more…)
November 15, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
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
The fourth edition of the IoT Solutions World Congress (IoTSWC) –international reference event on the innovations of the Industrial Internet of Things–, will bring together, between 16 and 18 October in the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona, (more…)
October 12, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Technology analyst and advisory firm, 451 Research, released 4Sight, a report detailing the forces of innovation that will reshape the entire digital enterprise landscape over the next decade. (more…)
September 26, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
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
The LoRa Alliance, the global association of companies backing the open LoRaWAN standard for Internet of Things (IoT) low-power wide area networks (LPWANs), and Tencent Holdings Limited, a provider of internet value-added services in China, (more…)
August 16, 2018
Posted by: Anasia D'mello
Hexagon AB, a provider of digital solutions, announced Xalt, a new framework for accelerating digital transformation – fast-tracking a customer’s ability to fully leverage IoT data. The goal of Xalt is to create Autonomous Connected Ecosystems (ACE), (more…)
June 14, 2018
Posted by: Zenobia Hegde
InterDigital, Inc, a mobile technology research and development company, announced the appointment of Dr. Henry Tirri as chief technology officer. Dr. Tirri is a technology executive with deep experience in a variety of technology areas, including areas of increasing relevance to mobile such as artificial intelligence, (more…)
May 18, 2018
Posted by: Zenobia Hegde
These days it’s rare that publishers launch a new magazine, but that’s what we’re doing here. The publishers of IoT-Now.com, IoT Now magazine, IoTGlobalNetwork.com and IoTNowTransport.com are pleased to be able to extend their reach with a global print publication that is also available digitally. So, what will you find in IoT Now Transport 360?
May 9, 2018
Posted by: IoT global network
The Industrial Internet Consortium® (IIC™), the organisation transforming business and society by accelerating the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), announced the publication of the IIC IoT Security Maturity Model: Description and Intended Use white paper. (more…)
April 11, 2018
Posted by: Zenobia Hegde