Get Smart: Know about Internet of Things (IoT)

Internet of Things (IoT)

 It’s 2016 and with the advancement of technology and growth in products offering improvement in our daily lives we see development of new smart devices each day, with tons of design ideas coming up for more innovative tools. These devices in turn have potential to provide us with real time data. Internet of Things (IoT) is interconnected devices providing real time data which enables businesses/customers to process this data in order to improve their existing services and providing an insight on how to further expand to newer service lines.

IoT definition simplified:

“Data is taken from devices and transferred to backend applications (using cloud service) and this data will in-turn help businesses to determine ways to enable reduction in costs, provide more meaningful services.”

To help understand what type of data can be generated, let’s look at some scenario.

IoT Scenario 1:

At present we have approximately close to 1.5-2 billion smartphone users in 2016. Imagine the data that can be generated by a smartphone user, let’s say Ryan. Now user Ryan can provide a smartphone company with tons of information based on how he utilizes his device. Data can be generated on basis of (sample e.g.)

- Time spent on apps

- Phone charging cycle

- Duration on web

- Even basic accelerometer app

IoT Scenario 2:

Let’s assume a smart-watch/band/ring/key-chain device. Now our user Ryan has a device, let’s say a smart band on him for most of the time. Ryan wears this device when he is awake or asleep, at home or workplace, while exercising and also at social events.

There is real time data which is available for the device manufacturer and also for the fitness/sports companies. The data is also available for medical companies.

(Perfect case e.g.: Use of mobile devices by doctors in healthcare industry, to monitor the status of patient’s health).

IoT Scenario 3:

Ryan travels daily 2-3 towns across to reach his workplace. For commuting he frequently uses his car. Data can be generated on the basis of his driving style or a car’s current condition can be monitored, along with useful data like the next schedule for car repair. In short features like predicting the next maintenance of machines, better energy consumption utilization is possible.

Here Ryan being an end user is generating several 'kilobytes' of data daily. At the end of the year it will automatically cross 'megabytes' of data. Imagine just like Ryan imagine billions of users/devices just generating terabyte’s of data which can be further put to use by firms offering their services.

Top 10 IoT data generators

Companies are aware offering a product/service might achieve profits, but providing continuous betterment in services is also highly essential. IoT can be used to provide smarter solutions and help maintain better relations with customers directly helping in growth of operators.

Some big IoT solution providers are Oracle and SAP

Oracle Internet of Things – Cloud Service:

With Oracle IoT cloud service, business users can use IoT data into existing applications. The data generated can help operators to provide more relevant and improved services to end users. This cloud service environment can be accessed using Oracle IoT Cloud Service Management Console (web browser enabled) and REST API calls (to administer cloud service)

Data from different types of devices is used and pushed to Oracle IoT Cloud Service (it has capabilities like device endpoint management, cache, Oracle BICS, Oracle Integration cloud services).

Oracle IoT cloud service allows remotely procuring data from generic devices (by allowing users to connect devices via cloud) and combining this IoT data into applications for providing data analysis using Oracle BICS and also integrate data with enterprise applications, web services

For more information about the features overview scroll on to the following Oracle IoT cloud service – main features overview, and to understand on how to get started check Oracle IoT cloud service subscriptions.

SAP HANA Cloud Platform – Internet of Things (IoT):

SAP provides by a platform to build and run applications that uses IoT. The in-memory platform helps to manage devices while collecting real time information. It provides for ease of use and access of devices along with the flexibility to control them remotely.

It also gives secure transmission of data into the SAP HANA Cloud Platform.  

Overview of SAP HANA Cloud Platform IoT

 Check out the architecture overview to read more.

This platform uses algorithms to predict business outcomes. It also provides additional features like text analysis, geospatial processing and operational intelligence, telematics and more. There is a direct device connection option possible or via third party device cloud.

SAP promises users with immediate transformation in their existing business processes and improvement in customer experience.

Summary:

There are several IoT tools available for implementation, but its acceptance has fairly been low due to concerns revolving the security but more primarily the main factor is the there is no clear application in case of IoT. Another key issue is the cost factor which the end users have to bear for these products.

 Some recent newly launched products that exist in the market namely Cisco CIVS-IPC-7070 (IP camera), or the ARM Cortex-M processors used in motor control or house hold applications, or health monitors. A classic example of an IoT device would be the Amazon’s Echo device.

- Aniket Handoo

(These opinions are my own and not the views of my company)