What is an IoT Platform? & what are the Key components

IoT Platform and types of Internet of things platform

What is an IoT Platform? 

Internet of Things is nothing but the ecosystem of physical objects that can be connected to the internet and we can access as well as control it remotely anytime anywhere. IoT platform is the support software that connects the hardware, access point and data network to the end-user application.

 

IoT Platform

 

Internet of Things platform handles or manages the task and data visualization that allow the user to automate the environment.

IoT platform ensures seamless integration with the different hardware by using a range of popular communication protocols and also apply the different types of topology using SDK.

Internet of Things platform also referred to as a middleware which is acts as a mediator between hardware and the application layer.

IoT-platform is an application that connects IoT with the cloud and output devices correspond to it.

An IoT platform is significant for every IoT device performance and its execution. Internet of Things platform makes able the application in managing, controlling, and monitoring various devices with their free deployments.

It also establishes secure connectivity between these devices with the remote data collections as well as the sensor-management.

An Internet of Things platform is a multi-layer technology that manages the connectivity. It is one of the best platforms for the developers where they can build new software applications. Internet of Things platform connects the hardware with the cloud using a resilient technology in the connectivity.

Choosing a great IoT platform is not an easy task as always and being an experienced developer, you need to select that can satisfy you. An IoT platform provides an assortment furnished with the ready-to-use features.

Though, IoT platform provides you a large number of IoT solutions for the smart city projection with the smart city integrators. Internet of Things platforms ensures the kinds of technological improvements providing better customer experience. It is drastically used in healthcare, retail, travel and hospitality sectors.

 

 

Internet of Things platform provides you a great speed up development of applications for connected devices with great supervision as well as cross-device adaptability.

IoT platforms provide a vital boost-up in the startups as well as the smart device vendors. With the help of these, companies furnish their product in real-time with the notification alerts and cloud services.

Oracle Internet of Things, Amazon web services, Microsoft Azure IoT suite, Mocana IoT Platform, Ayla Networks IoT, SAP cloud platform, DeviceHive, Cisco IoT could connect, SalesForce IoT, IBM Watson

 

The Components of the IoT platform as follows

 

Hardware: Hardware is nothing but the microcontroller with wireless connectivity withholds the application.

Hub Level: Hub level is the software that facilitates the connection with the cloud Hub Level is nothing but the bridge between IP connected cloud and IP non-connected cloud.

Cloud Level: The cloud is that part where the data is sent from devices and it should be formatted for output. It is also used to remotely manage the devices and remove software updates.

 

Third-party Application

In Third-party applications, the output should be sent. These can be a mobile app or an internal system amongst other things.

The IoT platform ensures the communication between devices, output work i.e collection of data and formatted incorrect way functions like remote updates and access facilitated.

There are also other components like security features, connectivity choice i.e wifi, bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.

 

IoT Platform

image credit: Smart-Industry

 

IoT Platform Key Components or Functional Requirements

As we all know IoT allows us to connect or communicate and also manage the various things. An effective IoT platform gives the inter-connectivity in a seamless way by acting as the link between machines, applications, devices, and people.

All IoT platforms work in similar ways. There are various capabilities, levels and features available such type of variation in the platform is depends upon the unique objectives of the organizations and also their end-users. These organizations take care of key components of the Internet of Things platform.

IoT Security

Security is one of the most important factors while selecting the IoT platform. For data security, we have to authenticate all connected devices and the application with the end-to-end security mechanisms. It ensures that the organization and end-users are protected from unauthorized access.

Enterprises look for the platform that features end-to-end data encryption so that data is protected. IoT platform should deliver regular security updates and demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that consumers fully understand their IoT security architecture.

Real-time Analytics

when the internet of things platform features real-time analytics it contextualizes as well as visualizes data as it flows through the system. This enables an organization to effectively monitors their devices, understand the performance, usage pattern and also availability and proactively identify privacy issues and insecure conditions.

In other words, real-time analytics give the consumer the power to manage devices and ensures both security and performance as efficiently as possible.

Horizontal Management

Enterprises and municipalities often work with several agencies that may all be working in isolation and only focusing on their own needs. This can create a fragmented and inefficient model for operation and development with each vertical creating their own custom solution. A horizontal management IoT platform allows an organization to cover connectivity data collection, analytics, business application development, and service management.

 

Internet of Things Platform types of IoT platform software

 

Types of IoT Platforms

There are four different types of Internet of Things IoT platforms:
(1) IoT cloud platform
(2) End-to-End IoT platform
(3) Connectivity Management Platform (CMP)
(4) Data Platform

 

  • IoT Cloud Platform

With the help of the Internet of Things (IoT) Cloud platform, you can easily grow your business after comparing the various cloud platforms providers and thus you can choose your best according to your features requirement and upward market focus. Companies should also see the vendor hardware integration feature while purchasing the service.

 

  • End-To-End IoT Platform

Managed, scalable and influential are the important keys to be considered while creating the IoT based application for your business. If you make the perfect end-to-end IoT environment, you’ll be greatly benefitted from a speedy time-to-market for your business. The end-to-end IoT evolution will make complete resources that will help developers in parsing and comparing different available technologies like Brillo and AllJoyn.

 

  • Connectivity Management Platform

CMP makes you able in reaching for the IoT & M2M projects worldwide being a combination of the connectivity services and various management tools. It enables your business to connect the IoT from M2M with the activation and deactivation of the SIMs in real-time. With the help of Connectivity Mangement Platform, you can allow scalability with processes automation via API. Moreover, you also get the support of 24/7 via mail, phone or chat.

 

  • Data Platform

A data platform is made for joining the various datasets. It works as a core hub where it can be obtained for analysis and combinations. The IoT projects are made for gathering various data from sensors or devices in real-time. It also performs decision-making task allowing organizations to become data-driven in a quick time.

 

Internet of Things data platforms provides us a point combining many tools required to manage a deployment from device to data prediction.

Various platform providers incorporate 3rd party platforms with hardware vendors & connectivity providers. Besides, system integrators are also an integral part of it.

 

 

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms are also known as a set of integrated software abilities that makes attempts to develop asset management decision making with the operational scenario.

The IIoT platform can also be used as an open and general-purpose application platform or both as well. Besides, the IIoT platform software can also be used in various other devices like routers, getaways, controllers, and edge computing systems.

 

 

IoT Platform Open Source

With IoT open source, you can search the best IoT related open source tools. With IoT platform open source, you can easily find out the development of the various Internet Things Solutions with the applications and ideal products. You can easily combine with a large number of devices and getaways with various protocols.

 

Whatever We Can Do With IoT Platform

An IoT platform plays important role in smart devices. Users can use their product with remote control and real-time monitoring function, configurable alerts or notification, pluggable cloud services and integration with consumer’s smartphones or other devices.

The Internet of Things platform is cost optimization for companies in the industrial sector through remote monitoring of devices and vehicles, collecting the sensor data for real-time, ensuring safety and end-to-end delivery tracking.

By using the IoT platform used to develop  IoT infrastructure for delivering all types of services for customers. Among them Car service, smart building smart metering and others.

Internet of Things platform is the most essential technology for improving the customer experience in different fields like retail, healthcare, hospitality and traveling. It ensures the stress of free interaction between the customer and the company.

 

See alsoWhat is Azure? Understanding Microsoft Azure Cloud

 

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IoTDunia
IoTDunia is working towards a vision of empowering the youth by providing them with great professional opportunities with Internet of Things to build world class ecosystem.