Best-In-Class IoT App Development Tools and Platforms!

Best-In-Class IoT App Development Tools and Platforms!
iot app development services
IoT application development is growing in leaps and bounds. Diverse industries like manufacturing, healthcare, transportation & logistics, oil & gas, and the water industry, are heavily investing in IoT for architecting data-intensive applications with advanced analytics. Some examples of modern-day IoT solutions include smart homes, fleet management solutions, traffic monitoring systems, remote healthcare solutions, speed monitoring solutions, etc.
Developing an amazing IoT solution is a great idea to consider for investors and entrepreneurs. However, before starting your IoT development project, you need to be well-versed in the technical requirements. One of the crucial prerequisites of an IoT project includes using the best-suited IoT tools and platforms. These tools and platforms play an important role in bridging the gap between IoT devices and data networks. They also help in displaying real-time data, storing huge data sets, managing devices’ boards, integrating back-office systems, and much more.
So, in this blog, we will provide detailed insights into some of the popular tools and platforms used for IoT app solutions. A quick read will give you a clear idea of which tools and platforms to consider for your specific IoT use case.

Noteworthy Tools and Platforms for IoT App Development!

iot tools and platforms

Microsoft Azure IoT

Microsoft’s Azure IoT Suite is a collection of several cloud services:
  • IoT Hub
  • Machine Learning
  • Power BI
  • Stream Analytics
  • Notification Hubs
This is a comprehensive platform meant for connecting and managing various IoT assets using various cloud services. It also helps in securing IoT applications. Its features include data tracking, system shadowing, identity registration, and a set of rules engines. Besides, Azure IoT Suite is a great option for serving all types of business domains.

IBM Watson

This is one of the leading cloud-based platforms that excel in IoT app development. It is a well-designed platform used for secure data transmission, remote device control, cloud capacity for storage of high amounts of data, real-time data analysis, high-security features, risk management, etc. Along with IoT, IBM Watson also supports Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain services.

Cisco IoT Cloud Connect

Cisco focuses on providing a safe IoT platform to its clients for connecting various devices present at diverse geographical locations. Its IoT application development platform-Cisco IoT Cloud Connect supports functions like the below:
  • data analysis
  • app enablement
  • network connectivity
  • tasks management and automation
  • broad customization of IoT apps
  • several adaptability openings/li>
  • voice and information correspondence
This platform assists power management, smart cities, industrial automation, transportation systems, and more.

Google Cloud

Google Cloud is an appropriately handled and combined provider of IoT services. It supports the handling of several IoT devices connected anywhere around the world and also helps in end-to-end IoT development. It comes with a highly advanced tool for getting real-time data and analytics. Furthermore, Google Cloud comes with functionalities like high security, business process optimization, cloud services, completely managed infrastructure, etc.

Zetta

Zetta is an API-based platform that makes use of Node.js. It is a complete toolkit employed for the creation of HTTP APIs for devices. This platform integrates REST APIs, WebSockets for developing data-intensive applications. The prominent features that Zetta offers are mentioned below:
  • Runs on the cloud, on a PC, and also on some limited development boards.
  • Converts any device to an API
  • Allows IoT developers to assemble device apps, cloud apps, as well as smartphone apps in one place.
  • Helps control sensors, controllers, actuators, etc. by featuring an easy interface and the necessary programming language.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services or AWS is another renowned IoT app development platform available in the market. It is an exclusive framework platform that requires fewer efforts in the cloud. IoT app developers find this platform highly versatile and adaptable. Also, it is a cost-efficient platform, due to which it is one of the favorite choices of a host of global-level business enterprises.
Besides, the IoT Device Management of AWS supports easy connection and expansion of the devices. Also, the administration ensures safe and flexible execution of the results. These include monitoring, refreshing, and investigating the usability of the device.

SAP

This IoT app development platform helps in the remote monitoring and management of all the devices related to your IoT project. These remote devices like sensors, actuators, etc. can be connected either directly or with the use of a cloud application. It comes with a robust analytical ability that helps to sort out, make ready, and pay attention to the data collected from IoT devices such as sensors, meters, controllers, etc. With its latest updates, SAP enables using the IoT data for creating and combining AI applications.

Salesforce IoT

Salesforce IoT is a US-based platform. It is also a highly adaptable IoT application development platform and aims at opening IoT data for all users. This platform helps one to develop customizable IoT App Development Solutions connected to any gadget and represent its data for additional usage. Also, the “client first” approach of Salesforce is the reason that this platform is popular and stands out from its competitors.

Additional IoT Development Platforms

  • Arduino: It is an open-source prototyping platform and is a great option for both- IoT software and hardware development
  • HP Enterprise Universal: This is a highly scalable, versatile, and modular IoT application development platform that offers secure monetization, precise data assessment, cross-vertical operations, etc.
  • Oracle IoT: This platform is known in different areas like enterprise software, cloud computing, database management, etc. for IoT solutions
  • Kaa: It is a highly expandable and flexible IoT app development platform with features like data visualization, configuration management, data processing, etc.
  • Particle.io: This is a comprehensive platform that offers IoT Rules Engineer, Device Cloud, Device OS, etc.
  • ThingsBoard: It helps in device management, data processing, project visualization, etc., and ensures minimum time-to-market for the projects. Innumerable devices can be connected and measured with IoT protocols like MQTT, HTTP, etc.

Key Takeaways:

Needless to say, IoT technology is here to stay. Connected devices and smart data analytics are already transforming the world in ways never thought of before. You can even integrate IoT with other emerging technologies like Blockchain to obtain unimaginable outcomes. However, without the right set of tools and platforms, it isn’t really possible to design outstanding modern-age IoT solutions. The aforesaid IoT development tools and platforms will prove enormously beneficial for IoT projects. If you lack sound technical expertise, it’s advisable to partner with an experienced company offering productive IoT App Development Services.

Google Cloud IoT core Services to be Discontinued from August 2023: Consequences & Advice to Users!

Google Cloud IoT core Services to be Discontinued from August 2023: Consequences & Advice to Users!
IoT App Development Company
The tech giant Google has officially declared: “Google Cloud IoT Core services” will be discontinued from 16th August 2023! Users will be able to access the IoT core Device Manager’s APIs only till 15th August 2023. From 16th August 2023, no device can be connected to Google Cloud IoT Core MQQT as well as the HTTP bridges. All the existing connections are going to shut down beyond that date.”
Ever since this announcement made the headlines, there are several questions that crop up in our minds. Two of the most crucial questions are: How is it going to affect the Google Cloud Core IoT users? What is the best piece of advice for the existing users?
Well, users have no other option than to migrate to other alternative IoT Core services. In this regard, Google has advised that users can seek assistance from the Google Cloud account manager if they have any queries regarding migration. But, the decision-making and execution are quite challenging for Google Core IoT users. This post discusses the Google IoT core verdict in detail and provides advice to users regarding migration to alternative IoT Core services.

Google IoT Core Services: An Overview

IoT Core service was started by Google Cloud in the year 2017. It is a fully managed service that promises high-grade security. Users can effortlessly connect, ingest, and manage data from innumerable devices that are dispersed globally. Thereafter, users can use the Google Cloud Platform for ingesting data and get this data processed further.
This service aimed to simplify the task of data exchange between a firm’s cloud-based environment and connected devices. With IoT Core, companies could define the configuration settings of their connected devices that were newly deployed. IoT Core, when integrated with other Google Cloud services, forms a complete solution that helped companies to boost their operational efficiency. This solution enables users to collect data, process it, and then, analyse the data. Thereafter, the IoT data gets visualized in real-time.

Reasons why Google decided to deprecate IoT Core Services

IoT App Development Company
As a reason for this big decision, the Google team stated that its network partners could serve IoT consumers better as these IoT Core service providers specialize in delivering advanced IoT apps and services.
But, there are rumours that Google was finding it challenging to compete with its two big competitors offering similar services. Google Cloud’s key competitors in this arena are Microsoft and AWS (Amazon Web Services). Microsoft’s Azure comes with IoT Hub while AWS provides IoT Core service.
Unlike its competitors, Google Cloud IoT Core has failed to comply with the standard security protocols of the modern day. Google was also unable to effectively update its Cloud IoT Core services with the latest features. It has been noticed that only a few updates were rolled out since the launch of this service in 2017. As such, Google Cloud IoT Core came across problems like the lack of innovation in the IoT Cloud domain and lower consumer adoption of their services as compared to its hyper-scale Cloud IoT Core service-providing competitors.

Alternative to Google IoT Core Services

Check out the alternative services that Google IoT Core users may opt for.

Microsoft Azure IoT Hub

This Cloud-based service is an excellent option for secure and scalable IoT device and data management. Bidirectional messaging communication takes place between IoT devices. The data contained in cloud IoT devices get processed in real-time via ‘Azure Functions’ and ‘Azure Stream Analytics.’ Users enjoy secure and rapid access to IoT devices across the globe due to the global availability of Azure IoT Hub. The platform ensures top-grade security as the communication between the Cloud and IoT devices takes place via a ‘per-device authentication’ protocol and highly encrypted communication channels are used. Azure Functions and Azure Stream Analytics process IoT devices’ data in real time. The platform can be integrated with other Microsoft Azure services including Azure Time Series Insights, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure Maps.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS IoT Core is a managed Cloud service. It allows effortless interaction between users’ connected devices and Cloud apps or other devices. Take a look at the key offerings. APIs and SDKs are available for several programming languages. Users can manage connected devices while ensuring security and scalability. A secure messaging service (message broker) is there; it’s for communication between Cloud and IoT devices.
“Device shadows,” represent a device’s state virtually, allowing interaction between devices in the offline mode. “Rules engine” defines rules for routing messages between the Cloud and other devices and automatically executes those rules. AWS IoT Core can be integrated with other AWS services like Amazon Kinesis, Amazon S3, and AWS Lambda to facilitate the development of end-to-end IoT products. This service also offers secure authorization and authentication of services, devices, and users.

AWS Greengrass

This is an edge computing platform using which a device can run AWS Lambda functions locally. It also enables one to sync the device data with the Cloud. AWS Greengrass offers APIs that help IoT App Developers to design apps that will function locally on Greengrass-enabled devices. Greengrass-enabled devices can be run on local applications and communicate with other IoT devices. The platform provides security features to secure the communication happening between the cloud and IoT devices. It organizes resources and devices for tasks like management and deployment. Users can discover resources and devices on the local Cloud network and manage their Cloud connection.

IBM Watson IoT Platform

This is a cloud-based platform for registering IoT devices. It also manages and updates IoT devices and data. IBM Watson IoT Platform combines IoT with other technologies like AI, industrial robotics, or digital twins for asset optimization and modernizing industry operations. It integrates IoT data with Machine Learning algorithms for gaining real-time insights. Some of the key offerings are predictive maintenance and telematics abilities, vehicle speed management capabilities, and equipment failure prediction. This platform can also be integrated with other IBM services and also third-party services.

ThingsBoard

This is an open-source IoT platform that facilitates managing devices, collecting IoT data, processing the data, and visualizing it. It supports on-premise as well as Cloud deployments. Rich server-side APIs are used to offer a secure way of monitoring, provisioning, and controlling IoT entities. ThingsBoard allows defining relations between various entities like devices, assets, customers, etc. effortlessly.
ThingsBoard establishes IoT device connectivity through industry-grade protocols for IoT applications and services like HTTP, CoAP, and MQTT. This platform comes with offerings like quality performance, and scalability. It also ensures fault tolerance and users are least likely to lose their data.

Ubidots

This is a Cloud-based IoT platform that is ideal for small-scale and medium-sized businesses as it promises Cloud software at affordable rates. The platform merges the data of physical sensors with digital data analytics for IoT development projects. Ubidots comes with loads of offerings that simplify the business tasks of optimization and environment management. Some examples include user management tools, a synthetic variable machine to compute & retrieve data, global events & variables, a complex & conditional ‘Events Engine,’ Organizational Tokens, UbiParsers, and many more.

Migrating from Google IoT Core Services to a New Service: Advice

Analysis & Considerations

Thoroughly evaluate the aspects of your Google Cloud IoT Core usage to figure out which are the specific services that are essential for your use case requirement. Then, you’ll understand what functionalities to look for in the new service. The new service you pick should also be scalable and compatible with your existing IoT devices and ecosystem. Do not forget to check the security offerings of the new IoT Core service and the expenses you need to incur.

Migration Process

Now it’s time to prepare your IoT devices for migration. Update the firmware of the devices for supporting the new service, if required. Then, set up the new IoT Core service. Create new devices, configure any integration that is necessary, and set up the access control mechanism.
Export all your data from Google IoT core to the new service. Thereafter, thoroughly test the newly-created setup to check that the service is functioning as expected and your IoT devices are able to accurately communicate with the new IoT Core service. Now, migrate your devices to the new service by decommissioning the setup of Google IoT core.

Closing Thoughts:

Google Cloud IoT core users have multiple alternative IoT Core service options to choose from. However, one needs to pick the new service provider wisely after weighing all the offerings and checking whether those offerings are best suited for their specific IoT use case. Also, the migration process should be carried out properly following all standard protocols for smooth and successful execution. You must strictly adhere to the practices mentioned in the documentation offered by Google as well as the new service provider to avoid any errors.
If you lack technical expertise, you might end up messing up the migration process, leading to costly rework. So, I would recommend you seek assistance from a professional IoT App Development Company that would advise you on selecting the most suitable alternative to IoT Core service based on the unique requirements of your IoT solution. Professional services will also provide you with a dedicated team of technical resources who will help you execute the migration process correctly and as per standard practices.