Internet Of Things (IoT) Archives - Page 2 of 7

IoT has evolved from an innovative concept to an essential component across diverse industrial domains like healthcare, transportation, etc. IoT adoption is growing in leaps and bounds and this trend is here to stay. IoT app solutions have become an integral part of modern-day business infrastructures and operations. The popularity of IoT-based smart home devices is also on the rise. Moreover, IoT is being integrated with other emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to optimize productivity and deliver unthinkable outcomes. As such, several entrepreneurs are investing in IoT app development.

However, IoT app development is not easy and its correct implementation requires professional expertise. That’s the reason investors and entrepreneurs are hiring professional assistance for executing IoT-based projects. Here as well, one needs to choose their IoT app development partner wisely to obtain the best results. This post provides guides you through selecting the right IoT app development company that best suits your project objectives. The post will help you understand what to look for in an IoT app development service based on your use case and the standard protocols and best practices needed for IoT app development.

Before we dive deeper, let’s take a quick look at how the IoT app ecosystem works.

Functioning Principle of IoT Applications

This is how an IoT apps functions:

Perception Layer: Connected Objects & Devices:

This layer comprises wireless sensors and connected devices like actuators that collect the relevant data by interacting with the environment. This data is finally transmitted to a centralized hub like a Cloud platform.

Here’s how IoT data collection takes place. Sensors monitor processes or environmental conditions, while actuators control them. Sensors can capture data related to the chemical composition of certain objects, conditions like the humidity & temperature of certain environments, an assembly line’s speed, a tank’s fluid level, a pipe’s water flow, movement of objects in a particular environment, etc. Actuators, perform real-time remedial tasks based on the conditions detected by sensors. These tasks include automatically switching off lights when the sun rises, turning off valves when the water level reaches the pre-defined mark, adjustments in the rate of flow of a liquid, controlling the movements of an industrial robot, etc.

Network Layer: Data Acquisition

In this layer, the data collected by IoT devices and sensors is compiled, converted to digital formats, and then routed over the network via internet gateways.

This is how the process works. Raw data gathered by sensors in the analog format are converted into a digital format to make the data ready for processing. A Data Acquisition System (DAS) aggregates data and formats it. The data is then sent to an internet gateway for further processing. Wireless or wired systems like cellular systems, WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), etc. are used for this purpose.

Edge IT Systems: Pre-processing

The size of the data at this stage is huge. This is because data collected by several sensors simultaneously get consolidated in one place. This humongous data needs to be reduced before sending it to the Cloud or data center. Here, Edge IT systems come into the picture; data get pre-processed through analysis. Edge IT Systems employ ML algorithms for obtaining insights and visual technologies for presenting the data in an understandable format.

Data Storage: Cloud & Data Centers

The data gathered by multiple sources is stored & processed further in Cloud-based platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS (Amazon Web Services), GCP (Google Cloud Platform), etc. for generating comprehensive insights. The data is visualized, thoroughly analyzed, managed, and stored securely in data centers.

Application Layer (UI):

This layer is the user interaction layer and delivers app-specific services to the end user. A backend system like the database or message queue handles the data. This data is visualized and interacted with through the UI of a mobile or web app.

Roadmap to follow while picking IoT App Development Services

Check Portfolio and References

Before entrusting your project to an IoT application development company, you must understand how the enterprise operates and what outcomes can you expect from them. Also, you need to verify whether the firm has ample experience and expertise in IoT development, particularly in the specific category that your IoT project falls under. Therefore, it’s important to review the company’s portfolio and references from previous clients to determine their track record in IoT app development. A bit of research to find out the IoT app development company’s industry-specific certifications, the awards & honors received, etc. will prove beneficial. You can check out the firm’s website, and portfolio in business listing sites, blogs, case studies, etc. for checking on their IoT development capability.

A Dynamic & Competent Team

The IoT app development agency you shortlist for your project should offer a dynamic team of skilled & experienced professionals abreast with the latest IoT technologies and industry-specific market trends. The team should work collectively to deliver high-quality product development outcomes and strictly adhere to project delivery deadlines. The team members should possess sound problem-solving skills so that they can resolve any logistical or technical issue arising during the IoT app development process. Furthermore, the team should be able to communicate with you continually and keep you updated about the project whereabouts.

An ideal IoT application development team consists of the following resources. A project manager, a business analyst, frontend & backend IoT app developers, UI/UX designers, wireless communication experts, automation & system integration engineers, and security experts. If your IoT app development solution is large-scale and complex, having a data scientist within the team will be an additional advantage.

Flexibility & Approachability

Your IoT app development partner should be open to accommodate changes in the project’s scope or requirements whenever needed. The team should be responsive to any queries or concerns put forth by the client and be able to promptly address the same.

Infrastructure & Scalability Requirements

IoT app solutions handle huge chunks of data. Therefore, you need to check whether the IoT application development agency you are planning to partner with is capable of handling humongous data and scaling it based on the need.

Moreover, the company should have an IoT-friendly infrastructure and use the standard IoT tech stacks. The agency should be able to establish and handle the identity and integrity of the devices in the IoT ecosystem. Also, there should be privacy and security protocols to protect the devices and data right from the software developmental stage to the consumption phase including data security. Your technology partner must strictly adhere to all compliance requirements based on the use case.

IoT-Specific Skillsets

IoT devices need to be connected to the internet and mostly depend upon low-power networks like LoRaWAN, Zigbee, etc. So, IoT app developers should be well-versed in creating low-power designs and optimizing a device or app for power consumption. They should have knowledge about networking protocols and technologies like Bluetooth, WiFi, IP/TCP, etc. Familiarity with Cloud computing services and platforms is also desirable.

IoT Developers need extensive knowledge about the tools for data visualization and data analytics so that they can effectively process and analyze the data obtained from IoT devices and present it in a meaningful way. Developers should know how to handle the communication taking place between IoT devices, gateways, and cloud services. They should be well versed in programming languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, C, C++, etc., and familiar with IoT platforms like Azure IoT, AWS IoT, and Google IoT. Other IoT developer skillsets include expertise in working with embedded OSs like FreeRTOS & Linux, and microcontrollers; IoT protocols like CoAP, HTTP, and MQTT; data management tools and databases like NoSQL, SQL, & Apache Kafka.

The effective functioning of an IoT app ecosystem involves sound coordination between hardware and software components. The hardware components are the sensors and devices used for obtaining data while the software components are algorithms and software programs used for data processing & analysis. So, the IoT app development company you select must have proficiency in software as well as hardware development so that they can design and implement IoT solutions effortlessly. Also, developers need to know the standard methodologies of how to interface with the connected devices present in the IoT network like actuators & sensors.

Adherence to Robust Security Practices

IoT devices involve the collection and transmission of sensitive data. So, they need to adopt robust security measures to protect the data and the communication information that is being exchanged between IoT devices and the Cloud platform. As such, IoT Application Development services must have knowledge of third-party security tools. They should also be well versed in the IoT security best practices and be able to implement them effectively.

Take a look at some of the IoT security best practices. Recommended practices for data & device security include authentication, encryption, secured firmware updating mechanisms, access controls, the secure boot technique, and secure communication protocols, like MQQT & HTTPS, etc. Practices like regular monitoring and logging of the device’s activity are helpful in detecting and addressing security breaches. Also, the IoT development service must have a disaster recovery plan ready to tackle the worst security breach scenarios.

Post-launch Support and maintenance

The IoT technology is ever-evolving and so, IoT software development solutions need to be updated periodically to stay relevant as per the latest trends. Moreover, the IoT app architecture is quite complex and prone to security threats. Hence, IoT solutions might come across bugs or functional issues at the initial stages just after the app goes live. And, needless to say, such issues need to be resolved timely so that your end-user’s app experience doesn’t get affected and your brand’s reputation stays intact.

Also, IoT devices & apps are soft targets for hackers and need continuous monitoring to identify security vulnerabilities. There must be a workable plan to handle data breaches and security lapses. These are the reasons why post-launch support and maintenance is a crucial pre-requisite to look for while you are selecting an IoT application development company.

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Final Thoughts:

IoT development is a complex process and comes with loads of demanding requirements. So, selecting the right IoT app development company for your upcoming project is necessary to avoid any unwanted surprises and rework down the line.

I hope this post has provided you with clear insights on the prerequisites to entirely design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain an IoT solution. The IoT development service selection strategies mentioned in the post will help you to choose the right technology partner for your upcoming IoT project.

Blockchain and IoT are the state of the art technologies that have set the wheel of INDUSTRY 4.0 on a roll. They involve multiple stakeholders and bring digital transactions, big data storage, and cryptographic security to the table. These smart practices and technologies have the capability to transform the food industry to make it more robust and sustainable. This article will give you an insight on how Blockchain and IoT are impacting Food Supply Chain.

What is blockchain?

Do you remember Skywalker from Star Wars keeping a record of things using ‘force’? Blockchain is the skywalker of the digital age which can help you to keep the track of things using digital systems. Blockchain is used to store data or keep records using technology.

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) means a digital decentralised database that helps to keep check against data theft. Blockchain is a type of DLT, which is a digital system for recording digital transactions. Its super strength lies in the fact that it can keep a tap on transactions and related data in multiple places at the same time. Can you imagine a huge chain of boxes linked together? Blockchain stores data in blocks that are digitally chained together and computers in this system are connected to a peer-to-peer network instead of a central computer like in traditional databases.

So, Blockchain technology is preferred over conventional databases in how it stores and manages information. These days, the whole world is getting digitized and so cyber security is the new basic need of industries and people. Blockchain is designed to make it impossible to hack the system making it secure and immutable. Hence, Blockchain technology is getting more traction and it is being wide used by many businesses.

How blockchain is used by food supply companies?

Three years ago the world experienced something unimaginable. Many businessmen skipped their heartbeat and many companies left to face the inevitable. The COVID-19 disaster cut opened the existing fault lines in the supply chain. The nature of the food industry is such that it is vulnerable to timing, delivery and safety. If the food supply chain perishes, the whole human race perishes. Hence, to conquer such uncertainty, blockchain offers an amazing solution. Let’s take a deeper dive into the Blockchain and understand the impact it’s having on the food industry.

Blockchain ensures food safety. It can trace the food supplies from suppliers to buyers.
While of course, among the other benefits, balancing market pricing is one of them. It establishes a ledger in the network and adds value to the current market.
Blockchain is thoroughgoing. It helps by giving information about the entire value chain.
It is effortlessly easy to use for the participants. Access the records in your comfort without any hustle. It may help to give you an idea about the universal and total outline of supply and demand.
The blockchain apps for trades might upscale traditional commodity trading and hedging as well.
If transparency is something you are looking for in a business, then Blockchain is a big YES for you. It enables verified transactions to be safely shared with all players in the supply chain, creating a marketplace with immense transparency.

Food supply chain companies use blockchain to track and trace items as they move through the supply chain. The government and various industries are using blockchain as the basis for smart contracts and other mechanisms for transferring and protecting intellectual property rights. Many industries that want to revolutionise their business strategies are now exploring blockchain-based applications as a secure and cost-effective way to create and manage a distributed database and maintain records for digital transactions of all types.

Hence, blockchain is being considered as a viable solution for securely tracking and sharing data between multiple business entities. Along with blockchain, a few other technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) is also contributing to the blossoming future of businesses.

What is the Internet of Things?

Do you want to turn on and turn off the car in your garage without moving a foot and enjoying soda sitting on your sofa or do you want to save energy and switch off lights in your house? You can do all this without moving a foot and with just your single command with IoT.

Internet of Things refers to the combined network of linked devices and the technology that facilitates communication between devices and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves. With the 21st century, the internet went on to reach everywhere. But more soothing than this was the advent of super-cheap computer chips and high bandwidth telecommunication which enabled billions of devices to connect to the internet. So from smaller devices like the table lamp to the bigger devices and things like cars, houses can use sensors to collect and store data and respond intelligently to users.

The Internet of Things incorporates everyday “things” with the internet. This has offered tremendous space for food supply chains to explore the area. The major drawback of the food supply chain was the irregular interconnection. IoT, thus indulging the interconnection between the various stakeholders of the supply chain helps to create an effortless and effective system. As computing devices also underwent a revolution, they were reduced in size, these chips also became smaller, faster, and smarter over time.

Multiple benefits that IoT offers to the Food supply chain industry

So, let’s look deeper into IoT and the impacts it is having on the food industry

It is cost-effective

The cost of syncing computer devices with other objects has now been reduced handsomely. It has opened a new avenue for the food supply chain industry as B2B businesses always look to reduce the investment and increase profits. Though costs of IoT are allied, they effectively increase the main course and profits.

It soothes the process

The food industry can’t endure staying behind. Globally, the population has been booming and so the onus lies on the supply chain to balance the needs of the human race. The food industry, hence, has revolutionised itself with a focus on pouring our storehouses, businesses, and offices with IoT devices. These smart devices can automatically transmit and record data to and from the Internet. Which eases the surveillance burden of the contractors.

It makes tracking easier

The Internet of Things is everywhere. From manufacturer to retailer’s market to consumers while they shop, IoT devices can help to track the food supply movement. In the food supply chain, data is used by companies to track and trace products movements, analyze trends of their usage, easily communicate with people, automated machinery, and many more endless uses. So IoT makes the hustle free tracking of every stakeholder of the food supply chain.

Readjustment with the global trends

COVID 19 had skipped two good years from the lives of the people. Globalisation has reduced the boundaries and borders and brought the world closer to each other. But when disasters like COVID struck the world, it was nearly impossible for the world to avoid them. But with the IoT, these kinds of readjustments are now way much easier.

The IoT is made up of sensor-embedded devices that captures the data and then transmits volumes of data from all types of IoT devices to the Internet, machines, people, and beyond. So, by analysing the trends at any end of the supply chain, we can easily readjust the whole food supply chain cycle.

It can spread awareness and make monitoring serene.

While the IoT offers novel uses in the food industry, it can replace the long used tracking practice of logistics. Gone are the days when it was difficult to keep track of the ordered products. Now companies can use smart labels to give consumers full visibility into their supply chain. Customers can simply scan the package’s QR code, and learn if the package has left the factory or when, and how each ingredient made its way into that particular product. This way, IoT is helping the companies to be aware of the purity and elevating food safety practices.

It can upscale the management of warehouses.

It is not just the food production, but the storage in the warehouses is also a huge task for food manufacturers. Manufacturers install sensors for timely monitoring, quality control, leveraging real-time analytics to streamline production, measure worker productivity, and calculate labour costs. IoT with real-time maintenance capabilities could automatically fix its own malfunctions before they occur.

According to the Food Industry Executive Report, researchers predict that more than 34 billion Internet-connected devices will be in use by 2020, 40 percent of which will be used for business-related purposes. In the supply chain, the IoT enables real-time monitoring, transparency, huge data collection, and more effective and automated problem solving than conventional methods. To prepare for the future of demands, stakeholders of the supply chain must indulge the practice of IoT and effectively start to include the smart practices in the business.

The pantheon of the INDUSTRY 4.0 is being led by smart practices like the blockchain and IoT and we at Biz4solutions are working hard to upcycle your business dreams. We bring not just the conventional solution but also offer smart ways to upgrade your business and increase the productivity of your business. It’s your time to say YES! Allow us to help you with Digital transformation, robotic process automation, IoT, blockchain app development, cloud solution, mobile apps and many more state-of-the-art services. Drop your email in the comment box and relax, our experts will get in touch with you shortly.

Internet Of Things (IoT), Page 2 Category

Actionable Tips to Select the Best IoT App Development Company!