What Is The Internet Of Things (Iot)

Smart connected devices, ubiquitous wireless connectivity and scalable cloud-based computing have created the platform for the Internet of Things (IoT). These IoT platforms are enabling organizations to monitor, control, optimize and automate their operations in ways that were previously unimaginable. In many industries, IoT is disrupting traditional business models causing companies to ask the fundamental.

This is leading to many private and public sector organizations asking how they can use IoT to create new sources of value. Some are using it to deliver new operational efficiencies. Remote asset management allows organizations to track assets in real-time and make much more efficient use of their field teams. Predictive maintenance reduces downtime by replacing parts before they fail. Real-time analytics help employees make better decisions. And smart IoT systems can automate repetitive and predictable processes.

IoT Systems

The Internet of Things extends internet connectivity beyond traditional devices like desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and tablets to a diverse range of devices and everyday things that utilize embedded technology to communicate and interact with the external environment, all via the Internet.

But, for the moment, there's a vast array of technology out there that can accurately be described as enabling IoT. Just at the networking level, there's Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, RFID, Wi-Fi, cellular, Z-Wave, 6LowPAN, Thread, NFC, Sigfox, Neul, LoRaWAN, Alljoyn, IoTivity, Weave, Homekit, MQTT, CoAP, JSON-LD, and plenty more that can and do play a part in IoT implementations.

IoT Applications

IoT systems have application development across industries through their unique flexibility and ability to be suitable in any environment. They enhance data collection, automation, operations, and much more through smart devices and powerful enabling technology.

IoT is everywhere, but there are certainly a few verticals where it's more prevalent. Heavy industry is arguably the sector that's been working with IoT concepts for the longest, thanks to SCADA and robotics, and it's got its own sub-type of IoT - industrial IoT, or frequently just IIoT. Sharing data for maintenance and operational purposes make industrial equipment a lot more responsive and useful and create a much safer working environment, as well.

IoT Security

IoT security is the area of endeavor concerned with safeguarding connected devices and networks in the Internet of things (IoT). The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of IoT security is encryption. If you are one of those people, then don't worry, you are not totally incorrect. Encryption is an important component of security, but it is just one part of the whole story. However, by itself, encryption does not provide security in the way that most people tend to think.

Security, like most things, has a curve of diminishing returns versus cost. What IoT requires is a good balance of reasonably strong security measures that are economical and massively scalable. first major issue is that a compromised IoT device can, in some cases, offer a way onto a company's network for a malicious actor. A badly secured smart TV, a security camera - anything that accesses the network is a potential vector for an attack.

IoT Interoperability

The full benefits of the Internet of Things are only realized when large enough numbers of devices are able to interact with each other - and therein lies a big problem. The number of different players in the market covers a wide range, both horizontally, in terms of functionality, and vertically, among different industries.

With a huge number of companies "doing IoT," - most big-name tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, Intel, and IBM have various types of IoT play - all working to bring as many users as possible into their respective ecosystems, motivation to make sure IoT systems and devices from different companies all work with each other is sometimes lacking.

IoT Platforms

One IoT device connects to another to transmit information using Internet transfer protocols. IoT platforms serve as the bridge between the devices' sensors and the data networks.
The following are some of the top IoT platforms on the market today:

Amazon Web Services

Microsoft Azure

ThingWorx IoT Platform

IBM's Watson

Cisco IoT Cloud Connect

Salesforce IoT Cloud

Oracle Integrated Cloud

GE Predix

By Concilio Orbis Jaipur

WHY SD-WAN IS A GAME-CHANGER FOR IOT

Billions of new devices are coming online as the internet of things (IoT), and machine-to-machine (M2M) ecosystems continue to grow. No longer will the sole end points for the internet be human users, but rather more so they will be devices. Those end points will be in the billions to tens of billions -- far and away dwarfing the human users as end points for the internet.

How should you tap into the ever-expanding opportunity with IoT for your organization...and ensure you will be successful? One thing these technologies have in common is their need for connectivity.

And all of this is enabled by better-than-ever mobile broadband connections. In order for these to all function in a manner that can reliably support and not hinder the IoT, business and cities alike will have to enlist not one, but all types of connections to the internet from public broadband to private circuits. In fact, it will have to mix all of these to create a robust virtual network for the IoT's billions of end points. Your organization has a key opportunity amidst all of these changes, to become the leader and expert example of how to incorporate both wireline needs and mobility into your IoT ecosystem.

While all of the opportunities to get involved in the applications of IoT are growing, one key emerging arena is the fact that IoT is most successfully implemented when SD-WAN (Software Defined Wide Area Network) is the backbone for connectivity.

IoT devices need management and cybersecurity protection; SD-WAN allows companies to consolidate everything from network encryption to policy-based controls from all of an enterprise’s remote offices into one secure network and management console, over the internet. This greatly reduces operational management.

SD-WAN also allows for multiple access methods spanning wired and wireless networks—regardless of the connection, users can manage their SD-WAN in a centralized way. Some IoT devices must be wirelessly connected; in other cases, companies are looking for diversification.

The industry standard for 4G wireless downlink connections is better than ever, and 50Gbps is not unheard of. That means that 4G links are an ideal backup, disaster recovery or failover solution, and they offer true geographical diversity.

SIMPLIFICATION IS ESSENTIAL

IoT has been enabled by the simplification of hardware. The open hardware movement has close parallels to the growth of cloud software in making formerly complex technologies and processes available for massive deployments.

Simplifying WAN technology is as important as the IoT sensors themselves in bringing a mass market for IoT services. Extending this sort of simplicity into the network, as other technologies before it, is critical for enabling the IoT with reliable and inexpensive connections.

Virtualization should ease the task of setting up massive IoT networks relatively simply. It would enable IoT sensors to connect to overlay entry points collocated with IoT gateways, which would also ease insertion of any new services without physical network reconfigurations.

You need all the elements of the IoT to function reliably to realize the true promise of IoT: sensors, gateways, cloud intelligence, and also the virtual network overlay that connects them. Connectivity is a key player here where IT leadership can be the game-changer for their organizations.

For free assistance in designing the right SDWAN connectivity network for your IoT ecosystem....simply ask at the below link. It's as easy as 1,2, 3.

SDWAN Network Solutions

Your IoT Applications Need The Right Managed Connectivity Solution

When companies partner with Sierra Wireless, they’re able to move past the confusion and complexity of deploying IoT applications and effectively tap into new revenue streams, new services and new business models, enabling more choices for customers and additional value for businesses.

Bring your innovations to market faster and at a lower cost. Sierra Wireless provides a fully integrated solution comprised of embedded solutions, gateway solutions and cloud and connectivity services that empowers organizations.

SIERRA WIRELESS MANAGED CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS

Sierra Wireless offers the broadest array of services to connect to the mobile network, manage devices and power IoT services. Their AirVantage® IoT platform combined with their unique ability to provide an end-to-end IoT platform that integrates with our eUICC-based Smart SIM and connectivity service provide all of the IoT infrastructure to create, deploy and manage IoT solutions. 

Their eUICC solution is one of the first to market that conforms to the latest GSMA specification, ensuring global interoperability across hardware vendors, SIM vendors and operators. eUICC is a game-changer for cellular IoT connectivity, because it allows customers to select and change service provider profiles over the air based on the criteria or business rules of their choosing—without physically accessing the SIM card.

Your connectivity deserves:

• The most ubiquitous wireless coverage throughout North America
• Managed connectivity for mission critical applications on a temporary, permanent or backup basis
• High speed connectivity for locations beyond the reach of cable, DSL and other wires

Solutions To Accelerate, Streamline, And Manage Your IoT Services

                    AirVantage IoT Platform

AirVantage is a cloud-based IoT platform that uniquely provides all of the services you need to create, deploy and manage wireless IoT solutions. It provides all of the building blocks including wireless connectivity management, wireless device management and application enablement services for you to connect your machines to the mobile network, and to build innovative solutions.

Smart SIMs And Connectivity

IoT deployments are fundamentally different than roaming smartphones, so why continue to use SIMs and connectivity services that leave your service disconnected with expensive resolution costs?

Learn how the multi-operator Sierra Wireless Smart SIM and Connectivity Service can deliver a superior connectivity service for your IoT application.

Managed Connectivity Solutions

Enterprises requiring mission critical connectivity choose our fully managed connectivity solution to keep their businesses connected and IoT devices online 24/7.

Our managed connectivity solution bundles the best hardware, multi-operator connectivity and a 99.9% uptime and performance SLA guarantee into a single monthly service. Standardized deployments, continuous monitoring, and 24/7 live support enable distributed enterprises to focus on their customer experience not their IoT infrastructure.

SECURITY

AirVantage protects your data from the connected devices to the cloud. 

 Secure device-to-cloud communication

AirVantage is the first commercial IoT platform to have implemented the Lightweight M2M (LWM2M) protocol. This standard protocol offers a secure solution by allowing the encryption of data end-to-end between the device in the field and and the application hosted in the network. 

The IoT platform also secures data in transit with additional measures including mutual authentication, secure download and device-initiated communication to prevent unauthorized control or access from an external source. For applications with sensitive data, users can add an optional VPN tunnel to extend their private operator network security to AirVantage.

 Security in the Cloud

To protect data at rest, Sierra Wireless has assigned a dedicated team to continuously monitor our data storage operation. Our storage infrastructure is highly available in each region, and is constantly upgraded to guarantee optimum security. 

 Secure cloud-to-enterprise communication

To protect data in transit on the server side, AirVantage applies HTTPS secure browser access only. All software attempting to access data in AirVantage will have to be authenticated using the secure OAuth 2.0 authentication protocol, using one of the 3 authentication flows proposed. Account administrator can review and revoke the API clients any time on the AirVantage operations console, and keep the account access control up-to-date.

To tighten the user access control, account administrators can enable the security options any time including the 2-factor authentication with a one-time SMS password and IP address filtering.

To learn more about all the options available to you for managing your IoT deployment, applications, and network from Sierra Wireless...simply ask us at the following link.  It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

IoT Network Management 

IOT Is The Crucial Piece To Industry 4.0 Success

The Internet of Things (IoT) allows objects to be sensed and controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure, creating opportunities for more direct integration between the physical world and computer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy, and economic development.

When it comes to business, IoT is a total game changer. The technology makes companies smarter and more efficient while optimizing such areas as logistics processes, smart building engineering and management, asset tracking and management, production data collection and analysis, customer digital experience, machine to machine communications (Industrial IoT), smart metering, end point data collection, and much more.

With the help of IoT technology and the infrastructure to support it, a company can step into a new age of business and become a pioneer in Industry 4.0 while increasing their productivity and profits.

To illustrate just such innovation....watch this video to learn how using IoT technology can help you track your fleets, cargo, pallets, bins - practically anything that needs to be tracked - virtually anywhere in the world.  Delivering critical data back to fleet managers who will use it to plan their operations.  

Watch this video for just one example of the many best in class innovative IoT providers we can source for you....with a special emphasis on wireless network connectivity and data analytics.

Watch this video for the provider we most often source for companies moving to aggressively jump ahead of their competition and become recognized visionary leaders in their respective field for Industry 4.0 and industrial IoT strategies. 

In order for any Internet Of Things (IoT) application or project to be successful there is one critical factor that must be addressed and solidly in place to achieve the desired results. 

It doesn't matter how innovative or impressive the overall IoT project may appear....without a solid and well managed network foundation the entire IoT ecosystem will ultimately fail.

Get the network backbone and the management thereof wrong....and you're doomed. Get it right and the sky is the limit. The bottom line is if you get the network backbone and management right first...."knock it out of the park" as they say....it not only helps ensure project success but also opens up a whole new world of possibilities for any IoT application.

These articles provide some additional insights on how to make your IoT efforts a resounding success.

• IoT Enabled Asset Tracking Is Driving Business Innovation
• Why SDWAN Is A Game Changer For IoT
• The Ultimate Success Of Every IoT Application Rests On One Critical Factor

That said, FreedomFire Communications is uniquely positioned to source the right IoT connectivity solution for your Industry 4.0 needs from dozens of “best in class” cutting edge providers for any IoT application whatever it may be....wired or wireless. We can even help with the network design and security effort. All at ZERO cost to you. Simply tell us what you need at Get Quote....it's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

IoT-Enabled Asset Tracking Is Driving Business Innovation

Knowing the location and monitoring the health of your most valuable assets is critical to business operations. Thanks to Internet of Things (IoT) technology, remote tracking of everything from heavy equipment to fleets to luggage, patients, pets and kids can reduce risk, minimize inventory, save money and create new revenue streams for businesses, in addition to making life easier for consumers.

IoT-enabled asset tracking is playing a greater role in the modern economy than ever before. A recent study found that an estimated $1.9 trillion of economic value could be created by the use of IoT devices and asset tracking solutions in the global supply chain and logistics sector. But in order to compete for a piece of this emerging, profitable market, you’ll need to know which IoT technology will benefit your asset tracking application and how to build a system that works seamlessly within your existing business model. By building a flexible, customized tracking system, you can reap the benefits of asset tracking without having to make significant changes to your business, saving you both time and money. A number of industries have adopted IoT-enabled asset tracking already, paving the way for the creation of new business opportunities and more efficient operations. 

Industries That Rely on IoT-enabled Asset TrackingIoT-enabled asset tracking can benefit more than just fleet managers or tracking-focused products. The following industries have had immense success and are continually innovating and adding new applications: 

• Travel: Luggage tracking 
• Agriculture/Conservation: Livestock and wildlife tracking 
• Consumer: Pet tracking, Child communication and tracking, bicycle location
• The “Sharing Economy”: Scooter and car sharing
• Vehicle Fleet Management 
• Industrial asset tracking
• Supply chain efficiency (from parcel, pallet, crate, to container tracking)

Each of these industries uses tracking solutions differently, but they all have something in common: they use wireless technology to get reliable data that they can use to provide valuable services related to the asset’s supply, or asset’s usage. By customizing their tracking solutions to meet the unique needs of their customers and their industries, these businesses can leverage more competitive advantages because they have all the data that they need to make intelligent—and fast—decisions. IoT-enabled asset tracking can be used broadly to engage new customers and improve business operations. 

Creating New Business Opportunities 
Today’s customers expect reliable, efficient tracking features for nearly all their connected devices, even those that serve another purpose. For instance, a child’s walkie-talkie will be more appealing to parents if the device includes an embedded GNSS tracker that tells parents where their children are located. Likewise for a dog collar that can perform heath checks and pin-point a beloved pet’s location if he goes missing. 

Using the latest cellular modules and Smart SIM cards, it’s easy to include worldwide connectivity as an add-on to an existing device, enabling new business models based on usage and not anymore based on ownership. A rail wagon equipped with a tracker can be sold as a service (lease on distance and time basis). Standard Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies make cellular connectivity ideal for these types of solutions because they can deliver the key 3C’s  (low Cost, broad Coverage and low power Consumption). Even if your business isn’t centered around tracking technology, you can still use it to improve your product. A bicycle manufacturer might embed a small tracking module into the frame of the bike that customers can use to locate it if it’s stolen. By offering these tracking options to your customers, your product stands out against the competition.

Improving Business Operations
Beyond attracting more customers, IoT-enabled asset tracking can also improve the way your business works on a daily basis. Here are just a few benefits to IoT tracking that could save you time and allow your business to operate more smoothly: 

Cost Reduction: You can embed trackers into your products or shipping containers to avoid losing shipments, minimize inventory and invoice accurately for Demurrage & Detention. If an item is lost or stolen, you can immediately see where it’s located, allowing you to recover it. This saves replacement costs and time spent tracking the items down by phone or in-person. 

Faster Response Times: You can set up notifications for major events and respond to them quickly. For instance, a tracking device would notify you that one of the vehicles in your fleet hasn’t reached its destination on time, allowing you to immediately contact the driver and the intended recipient to work out a solution. You can even monitor whether your assets are used properly and take appropriate action if needed. 

Streamlined Operations: IoT-enabled asset tracking allows you to manage thousands of assets around the world from just one location. You can also reroute vehicle fleets, recall defective products or replenish new supplies to customers on the fly. And last but not least, you can plan maintenance when needed: no need to plan maintenance on a wagon, if you are aware that the wagon has not been used over a long distance.

More Detailed Data: How often do your customers use a certain feature on your device? Is the solar panel on your outdoor light working properly? How much time did it take to get your product to your distributor? Normally, these statistics would be difficult to track, but when you use IoT-enabled asset tracking, you can do so automatically. Insight into data like this could help you find areas where you can cut costs or improve your product. 

Building Your Tracking System 
IoT-enabled tracking will have a positive impact on your business operations, but designing an effective solution doesn’t have to be a challenge. 

Your solution can be customized to your needs. A local farmer might need reliable connectivity in rural areas for his livestock’s tracking collars, whereas a luggage tracking company needs global connectivity to track their devices anywhere in the world. That’s why it’s important to have the power to pick and choose the right technology that you need for your tracking system and use products that are purpose-built for the IoT. The components of your solution should include: 

Embedded Wireless Modules with integrated GNSS: Connect an existing device by adding a wireless module or gateway. 

Smart SIMs: Embed a SIM card into the tracking device to ensure you have resilient global connectivity and superior data service quality everywhere your tracking device goes. 

AirVantage® Platform: Build and deploy complete IoT tracking solutions. Connect all your devices to the cloud to keep your service running, manage your data and track locations, delivering an amazing, always-on user experience to your customers.

Hopefully You Attended the Expert Panel Webinar, "How IoT Enables the Tracking of Assets" on October 5th, 2017 to learn more.

To learn more about how IoT-enabled asset tracking from Sierra Wireless will benefit your business....and what the best solutions are for your industry to integrate tracking technology seamlessly into your existing business model. ....simply ask us at the following link.  It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

IoT Network Management 

by Benoit Tournier, Director of Marketing, Transportation, Sierra Wireless

How Do We Build Trust Into The Internet Of Things (IOT)?

We've invented technology that expands our awareness. The technology that allows us to connect everyday objects to the Internet is known as the Internet of Things (IOT). Daniel Prices discusses the future of IOT technology, the network of social devices; what should we be excited about, and what should we watch out for? He identifies four principles of IOT to help us understand what this might mean to our everyday lives: IOT is a social network, IOT enables our environment to know us, IOT will change our concepts of ownership, and IOT must have trust as it’s foundation. Daniel is the CEO of Breadware, a Reno-based electronics design and sourcing company that partners with organizations to help them launch new IoT (Internet of Things) products. Daniel has spoken at multiple national IoT conferences, including IoT World in Santa Clara and IoT Evolution in Las Vegas, on the industrial shifts that are being brought about by the Internet of Things. Daniel is particularly interested in the IoT-related changes that he is seeing in corporate business models, product development philosophies, and university curricula.

How Data Quality Makes IoT Projects More Profitable

Although industry anticipates positive growth in current and upcoming IoT and IIoT projects to further advance along the Industry 4.0 journey, some significant challenges still need to be addressed in order to fully win customer trust and move pilot projects into successful, large-scale IoT productions. While many see connectivity limitations, security risks, and data bias, including data quantity, issues as roadblocks to IoT success, we have found data quality also plays a critical role in delivering effective IoT projects. Read the below article to learn more....

How Data Quality Makes IoT Projects More Profitable

Keep in mind that the critical foundational piece to the success of any IoT application and it’s IoT ecosystem is network connectivity. That said, this FREE resource is uniquely positioned to source the right IoT connectivity solution from dozens of “best in class” cutting edge providers for any IoT application whatever it may be....wired or wireless. They can even help with the network design and security effort. All at zero cost to you. Simply ask....it's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

IoT System Options

Overlay Security On IoT Networks To Conquer Vulnerabilities

The proliferation of IoT devices combined with a recent reported increase in cyberattacks presents a nightmare of special security challenges faced by industrial enterprises that commercially deploy IoT devices. Unfortunately, it’s not feasible to replace or redesign IoT devices already deployed in the field. But by overlaying security and control measures on existing IoT networks, these organizations may just have found the key to mitigating vulnerabilities.

Overlay Security On IoT Networks To Conquer Vulnerabilities

To learn more about all the options available to you for meeting your organization’s data protection and network security requirements…including customized security assessments PLUS comparisons of top tier network security providers and what they have to offer, simply ask us at the following link (FREE). It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Network Security Options

Keep in mind that the critical foundational piece to the success of any IoT application and it’s IoT ecosystem is network connectivity. That said, FreedomFire Communications is uniquely positioned to source the right IoT connectivity solution for any IoT application whatever it may be....wired or wireless. We can even help with the network design effort. All at zero cost to you. Simply ask us....it's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

IoT Network Options

Will SDWAN Solve IoT's Toughest Questions?

IoT and SD-WAN might not sound like they belong together, but ask VMware’s VeloCloud or managed service provider Apcela and you might be surprised by what they have to say. The two companies see SD-WAN as the key to making large IoT deployments manageable at a human scale.

While all of the opportunities to get involved in the applications of IoT are growing, one key emerging arena is the fact that IoT is most successfully implemented when SD-WAN (Software Defined Wide Area Network) is included in the network backbone for connectivity.

Will SDWAN Solve IoT's Toughest Questions?

To take advantage of FREE assistance to engineer and design a SDWAN solution for your organization’s network requirements....including a comparison of cutting edge providers (with rate quotes)....simply click on this link and ask.  It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

SDWAN

Keep in mind that the critical foundational piece to the success of any IoT application and it’s IoT ecosystem is network connectivity. That said, this FREE resource is uniquely positioned to source the right IoT connectivity network backbone solution for any IoT application whatever it may be....wired or wireless. They can even help with the network design and security effort. All at zero cost to you.  Simply ask....it's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

IoT Connectivity

5G And IoT....Unlocking Next-Gen Manufacturing

Curious how 5G will impact the factory in the Industry 4.0 world?  Hint ... IoT will be even more powerful. 

These converging innovations will have a profound impact on industrial companies and manufacturers alike, with IoT and other supporting technologies only expediting innovation and business value within an organization’s walls and out in the field.

IoT is driving significant operational efficiencies and productivity gains in factories through insights across machines, people, and other assets. Complemented with 5G capabilities, IoT’s impact only grows.

5G And IoT....Unlocking Next-Gen Manufacturing

Keep in mind that the critical foundational piece to the success of any IoT application and it’s IoT ecosystem is network connectivity. That said, this FREE resource is uniquely positioned to source the right IoT connectivity solution for any IoT application whatever it may be....wired or wireless. They can even help with the network design and security effort. All at zero cost to you.  Simply ask....it's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

IoT Connectivity

CONVERGIA IS MAKING THEIR IOT SMART ASSET TRACKING SOLUTIONS EVOLUTIVE

 Convergia is a Virtual Network Aggregator (VNA). With more than twenty years of experience in the industry, they have developed important strategic alliances with numerous leading technology companies worldwide. With Convergia’s Smart Asset Trackers solution, you can track anything from anywhere at any time. You can make informed decisions about your business with their Asset Tracking service; it will allow you to have information on all your assets-hardware and software throughout its life cycle.

Their asset management module has incredible features, including asset scanning methods, agent-based, and agent-less methods, barcode scanning, work network scans, and many more to import all your assets. Their management module also integrates with other ITSM processes, including incidents and management changes, to help you track all the tickets associated with your assets. When it comes to their Smart Assets Trackers solution, they have many flavors, but their most attractive package is their LPWAN solution, which includes:

• LP WAN (CAT-M-NB-IoT Module)
• IP-67 (water and dustproof)
• 8 years Battery Life
• Global SIM Card
• GPS and Cell Tower Location
• Sensors Information

Convergia makes their solutions evolutive; there are many options included in the unit to meet your specific business needs:

• Lumens sensor
• G-force
• Geofencing
• Temperature Sensors
• Humidity
• Impact Sensor
• GPS

CXC IOT APP FACTORY

Convergia’s CxC IoT App Factory combines a visual environment for the rapid design, integration, and development of applications with a scalable, secure, and robust runtime. It is compatible with all major IoT data platforms like IBM IoT, Azure IoT, AWS IoT, and many others to accelerate your industrial and enterprise IoT Digital Transformation.  Below you can view an example of the CXC IoT App Factory Platform, which includes pure information from one of their sensors.

To learn more about Convergia and take advantage of a comparison of 100s of other IOT solution vendors ... including FREE network design and sourcing support ... simply ask at FreedomFire Communications.