Essential Features To Consider During Internet of Things (IoT) Development
IoT has become one of the words we hear the most when we talk about Industry 4.0. Its use has been a true revolution in industrial plants, since it allows building a connected and efficient industry that is capable of optimizing its resources and production.
The Internet of Things is a dangerous double-edged sword as it can lead developers and experts to a problem of focus.Products can easily take a great variety of forms and it is precisely this variability that becomes both a blessing and a curse.
Reflecting on this and other issues related to the Internet of Things, here are some of the key characteristics that are part of the Internet of Things.
Software and Hardware
The combination of software and hardware has enabled devices to be smart and intelligent.However, this combination can occur in different ways. Practically, all wearables work in combination with a smartphone in which they delegate the computing tasks themselves.
The Connectivity
Connectivity is much more than creating a Wi-Fi module and uploading information to the Internet. Many people say that connectivity is precisely what gives the Internet of Things all its power. Connectivity allows compatibility and access to the network,and whatever the environment that surrounds it.
Thanks to it, we can consume and produce data regardless of whether we are in a city or a town, or whether our Internet supplier company begins with O or M.
Sensitivity
Thanks to our senses and the ability to understand the physical world and the people around us, we are able to interact day by day to survive. The sensors are responsible for transporting this vision to the machines. The different detection and recognition technologies provide the necessary means to create experiences that reflect a true knowledge of the physical world and its inhabitants.
In other words, if you prefer, machines are capable of understanding our complex world and providing solutions to the problems that inhabit it.
Interaction
Thanks to the interaction, we can establish the necessary communication between the physical world, people and machines. This means much more than the simple representation of data to the user through visually beautiful interfaces, but a complete strategy between all the parts that make up the system: from servers that store the information to environmental conditions measured by sensors.
Energy
It is indisputable that we cannot operate our devices in real life without power. The problem is, we can’t create billions of things that run on batteries. Energy storage is tricky, and these batteries eventually deteriorate. In addition, the energy of these batteries can only be consumed by the device that has the battery and it is precisely this inability to share energy between devices that presents a problem to an intelligent world.
The generation of energy, energy efficiency, and all the necessary infrastructure for the transport and final consumption of said energy are necessary parts of an intelligent ecosystem that we must design.
Security
Thanks to the Internet of Things, we gain efficiency, new possibilities not yet explored and other benefits, but we must not forget about security.All parties involved in the IoT (IoT developers, intermediaries and consumers) must design a secure architecture, both in traditional terms (electrical risk, protection people) and digital (cybersecurity, privacy). That is, in the study of this security we must consider the correct custody of our personal data and the security of our physical well-being.
The need to establish some evaluation criteria that networks, data, devices and specialized technicians must meet leads us to a new security paradigm capable of scaling without complications and in which all the actors involved must inevitably participate (public and private organizations and institutions).
Endowing the design of the IoT with these characteristics allows the different multidisciplinary teams in charge of product design to work through their different domains, keeping the focus on functionality, software architecture and communication, as well as on the business model of the product (or service). Hyperlink InfoSystem, one of the top app development companies in UK can assist businesses with the development of excellent IoT solutions.
Differences between IIoT and IoT
IIoT refers to IoT devices specially designed for Industry 4.0. Its objective is to optimize industrial production through the connection between devices and a data center to obtain statistics in real time, carry out constant and predictive maintenance of machinery, control industrial production or obtain data that helps us optimize everything. the business.
Industry 4.0 uses both devices and, when talking about them in general, it is usually only the term IoT. However, it is worth making the distinction, since with IIoT, we refer to a device that covers more data, more connections and a more complex operation.
IIoT Main Features
Built to be tough in the Industry
IIoT devices are more robust as they have to work under extreme conditions without breaking down. For example, they must withstand higher temperatures, be resistant to corrosion and be capable of being submersible in water.
Designed to be more scalable
IIoT devices generate a large number of data points (monitored variables) and therefore require scalability whenever necessary. These information points are connected to an industrial control system. Sometimes, it is the IoT device itself that performs a preliminary analysis and processing of the data before sending it, so as not to saturate the central system. IoT, on the other hand, is not as scalable or produces as much data.
Difficult accessibility and maintenance
IIot systemstend to be more resistant and are usually located in places that are difficult to access, such as in wells or cranes. Therefore, they must contain long-lasting batteries and consume the least amount of energy possible.
Security
IIoT devices have their own security systems which are more robust than those of IoT. A cyber-attack could be fatal to a plant or facility, as IIoT connects to infrastructure and networks crucial for industrial operation and exploitation.
Customization according to your use
IIoT devices must have a high customization capacity, since their configuration will depend on the place where it is going to be placed, the function it is going to have and what it is going to be integrated. On the other hand, IoT devices are more “plug and play”, they are not designed for this degree of customization. IIoT is necessary in the Industry for its scalability, robustness and customization.
