In the first installment of this two-part blog series, we explored the three components of IoT DNA: devices, networks and applications. In this blog, we’ll look at where your efforts should be focused to ensure a deployment that meets your organization’s objectives.
The first two components – the devices and the networks – were once more difficult to integrate into your IoT infrastructure. Today, they may be acquired together and maintained in bundled offerings. As a result, the following challenges related to devices and networks are all-but eliminated:
Today, all of these services can be provided by specialized IoT partners more quickly, at a lower cost, and with higher quality than the fragmented solutions provided by the traditional IoT vendor ecosystem. Acquiring the devices, network connectivity, and the associated services from a single trusted partner is a more efficient, streamlined way to implement your IoT infrastructure. Most importantly, it lets you and your customers focus on what you do best – delivering innovative IoT applications that drive true business value.
There are many variables you’ll need to understand to make sure your applications make sense for the industry in which you operate and, perhaps more importantly, the specific needs of the users. This is true, even within the same industry. An app for a quick service restaurant, for example, would focus more on convenience: quick access to a menu, ordering ahead, etc. Whereas an upscale restaurant app would devote more resources towards updated menu offerings, wine lists and descriptions, and reservations.
To effectively meet your audiences’ needs, your applications need your time, attention, and resources. The application is where you differentiate yourself through superior design, workflow, or capabilities, and it represents your (or your customers’) “face” to the market.
It is for this reason that it’s absolutely critical to not waste valuable time, money, and resources by attempting to select, implement, test, and manage your back-end IoT infrastructure. By selecting a trusted, proven partner that can provide all of these services, in one easily procurable bundle, companies deploying IoT solutions are set up for success – free to focus on providing their end users with the best possible connected offering.