IoT deployments can be complicated and often have many moving parts. From prioritising the right business objectives and specifying the best-fit IoT technologies, through to ensuring that the in-life IoT services and support are effective.
At Westbase.io we primarily focus on utilising 5G and LTE to provide IoT connectivity for what we call “high-value assets”. This could be a CCTV or security system, a CashPoint, digital signs, kiosks, lockers, and so on – essentially wherever you have an asset which needs to be connected so that you can manage and monitor it remotely. We have worked with our partners to connect 100s of 1000s of IoT assets, teams and locations over the past 35 years, working with cellular connectivity solutions since the days of 2G, and IoT connected devices since machine-to-machine communications.
With so much experience it can be challenging to boil down all of the best practices we adopt and encourage for IoT success, but this article summarises three which we think can add a lot of value to those considering their next IoT project and requirements.
1. Harnessing the Power of a Unified IoT Solution
One of the most critical decisions in deploying IoT solutions is choosing the right delivery partner who can provide a unified solution and the right expertise.
Here’s what to look for:
All-in-One Connectivity Solution and Provisioning
Your chosen supplier should provide a comprehensive package that includes the main routing or gateway platform, necessary accessories (like antennas), SIM card and data contracts. They should also offer pre-configuration / provisioning services to ensure that your IoT devices are ready to work out of the box and can immediately connect to your management platform when powered on. By being “plug and play” it simplifies installation by de-skilling the process, so no specialist resource is required.
A unified, pre-configured solution can accelerate your go-to-market time, provide cost savings through economies of scale, ensure compatibility between system components, and reduce the complexity of managing your deployment. All of which leads to a faster return on investment.
Wireless Expertise and Vendor Relationships
It’s important to select a partner who offers the right expertise, particularly in 5G and LTE technologies which have nuances that even experienced network engineers might not appreciate.
Additionally, the IoT market is still highly fragmented, so pick a partner who has strong relationships with vendors that are industry leaders, and can offer long-term assurances and support to ensure a clear roadmap for your IoT deployment.
2. Ensuring Your IoT Deployments are Future-Ready
In our experience, most IoT deployments come with a 5-year lifespan, and a lot can change during this time. IoT deployments need to be adaptable to future changes in technology, legislation, and security threats. Not to mention the changing requirements and demands of the organisation, which will undoubtedly shift as digital transformation continues to be a driving force across every industry.
When deploying therefore, it’s critical that you select a system which is not just unified but also offers longevity. Here are some key considerations for future-proofing your IoT ROI:
Scalability
It’s common for organisations to expand their IoT reach after the initial deployment, so ensure your solution offers good scalability. Specifically, look for a solution with centralised management capabilities through a single pane of glass. This allows your IT team to manage IoT networks of any size without requiring additional resources – scaling up device management from 100s to 1000s of endpoints easily.
Look for advanced management and monitoring features such as group templates, automation, and policy enforcement, which simplify large-scale deployments and operations. Additionally your solution should include data usage visibility and other key analytics for managing the deployment.
Edge Computing
Edge computing is becoming a highly desirable feature. It allows applications to run directly on IoT routers or gateways, providing robust data handling and decision-making at the network edge. This reduces latency and data costs by processing data locally and only sending critical information to the cloud.
Best-in-class solutions should offer software development kits and containerisation functionality, both key to delivering edge compute. By selecting a solution with this, IoT deployments can be ready for future applications requirements, even if it’s not something the organisation has considered yet.
Security
Security threats are constantly evolving, so it’s crucial to select a solution with simplified remote update capabilities to keep your software and firmware up-to-date and protected at a minimum. This feature should be standard with all leading solutions.
If security is particularly critical, also explore solutions with strong edge security capabilities and a solid security roadmap. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is becoming a highly desired approach for securing IoT deployments for example.
3. Leveraging Technology Synergies for IoT Deployments
With the total amount of data generated by IoT expected to reach 80 Billion Zetabytes by 2025, it’s critical that organisations find new ways to enhance their deployments. Supporting this, a key trend seen in IoT today is its increasing interaction with other emerging technologies which are making it easier to scale, and generate more return and value from the data collated.
Focusing on just two examples of such technologies, Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can both help to ensure long-term, successful IoT deployments.
Extended Reality (XR)
XR smart glasses can be used to collect more IoT data using their own built-in sensors. More importantly though, they can also improve IoT data visualisation. By displaying real-time operational or safety data from machines and other IoT sensors directly onto the user’s field of view, XR smart glasses can help to deliver actionable insights to workers. This helps frontline teams to monitor and manage complex systems more effectively, enabling predictive maintenance by making it easier to spot anomalies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI adds another layer to IoT deployments to make their data more actionable. AI can analyse data to detect deviations, predict maintenance needs, and optimise production schedules. For instance, in manufacturing plants, AI can enhance deviation detection and provide valuable insights that inform future design and production decisions by looking at all of the data available.
When we bring all three of these technologies together, the interplay between them provides integrated data collection, analysis, and visualisation which can unlock new levels of productivity and creativity for organisations all together. The following two IoT use cases demonstrate how such optimisation can be achieved.
Smart Manufacturing
In smart manufacturing, IoT sensors are used to monitor machine health, while AI analyses this data to provide important, real-time insights into the manufacturing processes and machines. XR smart glasses then help workers to visualise this data, and receive step-by-step instructions when anomalies are found, allowing them to interact with machinery through an intuitive interface. All of this combined ultimately reduces downtime and enhances operational efficiency.
Automotive
In the automotive sector, the integration of these technologies provides significant benefits. Modern cars are equipped with IoT sensors which collect data on vehicle health and performance. Service technicians then use XR smart glasses to instruct them on completing service and repair maintenance. By visualising the collated vehicle health data via the smart glasses, these processes can be significantly enhanced. The data collated from the vehicle and maintenance processes can then be combined and analysed with the use of AI to provide even more valuable maintenance insights as a basis for better design decisions in future prototyping and production.
As we set out at the start of this article, there are many things to consider when planning and executing an IoT deployment. These three best practices can help to ensure that your IoT deployment is not only effective, but also delivers maximum return on the investment. Embracing a unified solution, focusing on future-proofing features, and leveraging synergistic technologies can all drive significant returns on your IoT investment.
Discover more about our IoT connectivity solutions.
Westbase.io has served the channel for over 35 years with leading services, network access, and XR solutions. Find out more about our IoT connectivity solutions today by visiting our dedicated IoT page.