Internet of Things Consulting from a Technical Perspective

Why are we so confident in this? First, IoT-enabled systems can combine machine learning, computer vision, blockchain, and other trendy digital technologies for acquiring and managing data. Second, their massive analytical potential. Lastly, the ability to trace patterns and forecast the equipment or individual behavior. Can you visualize the possibilities it will unleash?

Nonetheless, IoT solutions themselves; do not guarantee a financial soar for the enterprise. Success comes from the perfect match of EIoT solutions with the company’s business needs and the competent execution of this solution within the enterprise environment. How to achieve this? We’ve already discussed that the baseline condition that guarantees value from the IoT ecosystem implementation is a robust business strategy you get after the Internet of Things consulting. To put the following “brick” in the well-built enterprise IoT solution, we need to create suitable architecture with optimal technologies to provide seamless data management. Its execution varies for startups and global companies, from product and service companies, not to mention various business environments for everyone. Fortunately, IoT consulting services are not limited to the theoretical part. Technical IoT consulting allows exploring all the opportunities for enterprises to move to digital. Possessing; the ability to obtain a clear roadmap on where to start and where to move. In this article, we want to reveal what companies can expect from Technical IoT consulting services.

The technical capabilities of the IoT ecosystems are almost infinite. To define efficient technologies and implementation scale that seamlessly move across the EIoT implementation roadmap. We must see the direction in which we are going. The IoT ecosystem is victorious. By achieving the following:

EIoT solutions lead you to hit a specific purpose but usually help solve additional issues along the way. For instance, wanting to reduce downtime costs in your vehicle fleet, you decide to equip cars with IoT devices to carry out predictive maintenance. Online tracking of vehicle parameters allows you to forecast potential threats. Additionally, providing you with the tools to establish the style of driving; while monitoring fuel consumption. By obtaining analytical reports based on this data - you can manage human and material resources more efficiently.

At this stage, the technology will work within EIoT solutions for capturing, processing, and analyzing the data – various technical options are determined. To define the choice of technologies, we suggest conducting a detailed analysis of all the company’s resources as a well-current option on the market.

Well, you’ve already understood how to utilize the data for your enterprise produces. You know how to upgrade business models and existing products. The next step is how to execute the IoT system. The business strategy and technical part are interdependent, it is vital to select an Internet of Things consulting provider among companies with practical experience in building IoT ecosystems. They see your IoT solution as a whole in progress and can advise minute details and options on customization. 

To fully see how IoT can be integrated into your enterprise, and create a workable and efficient model of the IoT ecosystem, IoT consulting team should:

PROVIDE TECHNICAL DUE DILLIGENCE

It includes the estimation of actual technical resources of an enterprise and its potential to introduce IoT systems. At this stage, we optimize ways of data to be collected, processed, analyzed, and structured. We clarify the required computing power for the devices. Additionally, we can optimize the data management from multiple activities. We define how to merge company products with IoT solutions or how to enhance them through IoT. For example, if there is a request for quality control – it is convenient to collect information, and how many assets need to collect information. Moreover, this process will help you select the best solutions.

PROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CONCEPT

After defining the most effective solution for a particular case, the next step is to build the architecture and proof its workability. It allows us to understand the solution as a whole system and at every level separately. We see how the data is collected and transferred for further analysis, what tools we need to execute intelligent automation, and where the reports are delivered. Moreover, you become aware of how to monitor all the processes in the enterprise. Essentially, seeing the connections between them.

RECOMMEND THE VENDORS

There are currently no enterprises which provide all the development for the IoT ecosystems, from PCB to cloud platforms. Therefore, you must select every component based on the required power, capacity, compatibility, and other essential parameters. Another important criterion is the possibility of customized parts. As a result, you get a recommendation list on boards, devices, sensors, gateway, actuators, software platforms and applications, and other vendors with relevant explanations.

As we mentioned, EIoT solution combines almost every modern technology. We won’t lure you with buzzwords, such as Artificial Intelligence, mesh networks, and smart automation, but we will consider these technologies if they can bring real value to your enterprise. The ultimate goal is to pick up the optimal combination of technologies; that can enhance your business processes. Unfortunately, only about half of companies that adopted IoT solutions are fully satisfied with them. Mainly because of the wrong choice of technologies; that are now in abundance on the market. Therefore, we need to move with caution and consider the following:

1. Sensors and cameras 

When identifying how to collect the data, we know it’s better to equip the production and office environment for this. By connecting temperature, humidity, inclination, sound, vibration, and other sensors to collect all the essential data, we have all the business and manufacturing processes at a glance. These also include, for example, wearables for medical use or onboard diagnostics devices having the principle function tracking and reporting issues. 

*Custom devices and embedded software. It’s often necessary to customize the equipment or design custom equipment. For instance, it’s rather costly to equip the production line with high-resolution cameras to execute quality assurance. Whereas utilizing neural networks reduces the requirement for cameras, which makes a solution more affordable. In this case, you can design and program a device that combines sensors, cameras and analyzes the data stream it gets. 

2. Connection to the cloud 

Cloud servers unlock significant analytical possibilities, where you define patterns to track, know which data is essential to the analytics, and see how this data gets to the server. Accordingly, you can choose the optimal cloud platform and develop custom apps for successful data analysis, informative analytical reports, understandable data visualization, the proper user access.

3. Intermediate devices

The devices such as routers and getaways are connection links between “Things” and cloud systems. Operating edge and fog computing, you don’t overload clouds when executing smart automation. For instance, you can apply them to immediately open the window in the greenhouse when the sensor tracks the temperature got higher. Such devices filter the data before it gets to the cloud, executing primary data processing. 

4. Connectivity approaches

After technical due diligence, it becomes clear how to connect devices to provide seamless system operation and adequate data rate. Location, environment conditions, and the number of devices to be connected influence the way of connection, wired or wireless, and network architecture as well.

At the technical consulting stage, it’s critical to determine the security approach within the IoT ecosystem. Such systems are potentially vulnerable through the multiple connected devices, all of which can be a breach point. Unfortunately, there is no standard security approach to protect EIoT solutions, which forces companies to create solutions alone. IoT consultants determine if you need to segment the IoT network or encrypt the data, update the system, and manage user access to provide the highest security level for your system.

Boost your EIoT solutions by designing them with some trendy technologies, such as:

Note that the Internet of Things technologies are constantly evolving and require research activities within their implementation. It might help to analyze emerging technology from a rational perspective.