IoT Software Development and Getting Started with the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is playing an increasingly important role in our personal and professional lives. These innovative technologies offer an unprecedented level of connectivity and access to data. Yet choosing the right IoT solutions for your home or business can prove challenging. In this article, we will explore the Internet of Things in more detail and look at some important IoT software development considerations to help you get started.

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of objects, or “things,” that form an integrated system to exchange data over the internet. These objects can range from ordinary household devices to complex industrial equipment. The IoT has become one of the most important technological developments of the 21st century. In addition to streamlining data collection, sharing, and analysis, IoT enables seamless communication between people, devices, and processes.

The increased adoption and reliance on the technologies are evident in the rapid growth of the IoT market. According to experts, the number of IoT devices in the world reached 31 billion in 2021. This represented a more than 4x increase from 2018. In terms of market size, Fortune Business Insights estimates that the global IoT market will reach 1,845.76 billion in 2028.

What is the Industrial IoT?

The Industrial IoT (IIoT) refers to the commercial use of IoT technologies and is often referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0. Wikipedia defines the term as “interconnected sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together with computers’ industrial applications, including manufacturing and energy management. This connectivity allows for data collection, exchange, and analysis, potentially facilitating improvements in productivity and efficiency as well as other economic benefits.”

Some common uses of IIoT technologies include:

• Smart manufacturing
• Predictive industrial maintenance
• Smart cities
• Digital supply chains
• Smart power grids

The Technologies that Make the IoT Possible

The technologies that power the IoT are not new. Rather, recent improvements in the technologies that have made them more cost-effective and scalable are responsible for their widespread adoption. While every personal and industrial IoT ecosystem is different, they generally utilize several core technologies.

• Sensors. Sensors enable the real-time collection of data.
• Cloud Computing. Cloud platforms give both individuals and organizations access to low-cost infrastructure that allows them to access data from anywhere.
• Connectivity. Internet protocols have made it easy to connect sensors to the cloud to streamline the transfer of data.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI advancements have enabled conversational interactions through natural-language processing (NLP) that have made IoT more appealing and practical for everyday users.
• Machine Learning (ML). ML technologies allow organizations to utilize unstructured data sources. This helps them to analyze more data and gather insights that enable informed decision-making.

Getting Started with the IoT

For both individuals and organizations that are new to the IoT, choosing and implementing the right technologies can prove challenging. For simpler applications, such as home use, buying commercially available solutions may be enough. But for more complex applications, it may be necessary to consult with an experienced IoT development company. The following are some general tips that can help you to get started with the IoT.

Choose the Right Hardware

With the proliferation of IoT technologies, it is easy to find cost-effective hardware. Individual users can set up Smart Homes with equipment from leading manufacturers like Google and Amazon. For more advanced IoT solutions, users can buy portable IoT development kits such as Raspberry Pi or Espressif. Many organizations require custom and complex IoT solutions that require the assistance of an experienced IoT developer.

Know Your Programming Languages

Those with programming backgrounds may have enough knowledge of web and app development to create interfaces that interact with IoT devices. For IoT development, common programming languages include JavaScript, Python, and C. If you are hiring an IoT software development company, make sure that they have completed similar projects.

Focus on Security

With IoT, more devices are exchanging more information than ever before. This can expose data to potential security vulnerabilities. Thus, it is crucial to consider security at each phase of your IoT project. If you choose to hire an IoT developer, ensure that he or she is familiar with the latest security practices and technologies.

Start Small

The IoT is above all else an automation solution that is designed to make our lives easier and businesses more efficient. When implementing any automation technology, you typically want to start small. New technologies can have significant impacts on existing processes. Moreover, introducing automation into a broken business process can make it worse. So, start small and gradually scale up your IoT solutions over time.

Stay Updated

IoT technologies are new and rapidly changing. What works well today can become quickly outdated, potentially exposing your sensitive data to security risks or falling behind competitors. Be sure to stay up to date on IoT technological developments and best practices. If you do not have the time or resources, consider hiring an IoT development company that is committed to using the latest technologies.

Consult with an Experienced IoT Software Development Company

The IoT offers an unprecedented level of connectivity and data utilization. With the widespread availability of new IoT technologies, it can be difficult to choose the right solutions. Moreover, more complex IoT deployments typically require custom IoT software development solutions. Plego Technologies is an Illinois-based software development company with more than two decades of experience helping businesses located all over the world to become more efficient, productive, and profitable. Our experienced IoT developers will get to know your pain points and objectives, and plan, develop, implement, and maintain your IoT solutions.

Contact our experienced team today to learn how we can help.