IoT solution development services starting from concept to realization and testing to deployment

Have you decided to create your own IoT project? Are you stuck at the beginning of the project? We will help you through a detailed guide of in-depth IoT solution development. 

What is the Internet of Things or IoT?

At its base, the Internet of Things or IoT is the concept of connecting any particular thing or object to the Internet. The connections provided have the potential to provide useful data or information that may be used to create new experiences and improve our day-to-day operations. The immense implications of trillions of interconnected devices serve to be a major technology disruption in the modern era.

As per a study report, it is estimated that the potential impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to be around $11 trillion in the span of the next decade. It is equivalent to around 11 percent of the entire global economy. 

Organizations all around the world –across different industry verticals, are realizing the overall potential of IoT and ensuring strategic investments. In another business survey, it was revealed that 96 percent of senior business leaders observed that their organization will be using IoT in one way or the other in the coming 5 years. On the other hand, 68 percent of them revealed that they are already investing budgets in respective IoT solutions. 

Unraveling the Complexity of IoT Solution Development

Coming up with end-to-end IoT solutions involves multiple layers for combining multiple components. On a higher level of IoT application development, there are different layers of the IoT solution including a cross-layer:

• Device Layer: Adding firmware and MCUs to the standard hardware for the creation of devices that are easily connected. The addition of high-end components makes the connected devices ‘smart.’

• Communication Layer: Allowing communication to the outside world through multiple connectivity networks offers the device a proper ‘voice.’

• Cloud services: Inputting, analyzing, and interpreting valuable data at scale through high-end cloud technologies for generating ‘insights.’

• Applications Layer: Connecting and improving the insights to a greater ecosystem through the engagement system for enabling ‘action’ through a wide spectrum of applications as well as connected web development services.

• Security Cross-Layer: Securing the IoT solution serves to be an element of immense importance that benefits some established foundation in each of the respective building blocks.

Every component out there demands a specific array of competencies as well as proficiency to function within the given realm. 

IoT Development Stack and Its Specifications

In the respective architecture for IoT development, its technology stack has five distinct layers.

#Device Hardware

It is regarded as the first layer of the revolutionary IoT technology stack for defining physical and digital parts of any smart connected device. 

In the given stacked layer, you should know about the implications of cost, size, deployment, reliability, and useful lifetime. For instance, if we talk about some small smart device like a smartwatch, there is the availability of a single SoC or System on a Chip. Here, you will require access to embedded computer systems like BeagleBone Board, Artik Module, and Raspberry Pi.

#Device Software

The given layer requires carefully finding of the sensors. It is achieved by ensuring access to necessary data. Sensors will be assisting the users to gather relevant data. This allows the smart connected product to perform how it is expected.

Device software is known to possess the capability of turning out the device hardware into a smart device. The IoT technology stack will enable the hardware-defined by software. Any hardware device can deliver multiple applications based on the running embedded software. 

The device software layer can be categorized into –Applications and Operating Systems.

#Operating System

The entire complexity of the IoT solution will depict the type of operating system you require. There are some important aspects that you need to include –support for the full IP/TCP stack, I/O support, and real-time operating system. 

Some of the instances of the embedded Operating System are:

• Linux
• VxWorks 
• Window Embedded
• Brillo

#OS Applications

The given app runs on top of the OS or Operating System. It offers proper functionality for the respective IoT solution. It delivers endless possibilities. Here, you are expected to pay attention to aspects like local control, acquisition, analytics, and cloud streaming.

#Connectivity

In the IoT technology stack, connectivity plays a vital role. In the given part, it is imperative to define the platforms that will get connected to the sensors on the particular product hardware to the cloud and the application.

The different types of connectivity that are used in general will include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Satellite, Cellular, and Radio.

The communication part of the given stage implies the different ways through which the device will be exchanging information with the entire world. It will include physical networks and different types of protocols that you will consider using. 

Data & Analytics

A well-defined data process in IoT is important for businesses who wish to step into the domain of smart connected components. The creation of new business models is possible by collecting data from the given sensors. It helps in unlocking a wide range of opportunities while uncovering valuable business data.

The smart devices will be streaming valuable information directly to the cloud. When requirements are defined for the solution, at the given moment, you will be required to search for the best idea for the amount and type of data that you will be gathering monthly, daily, and annually.

One of the biggest challenges faced by IoT apps is the generation of huge amounts of data. For overcoming the given challenge, it is recommended to make sure that you are defining scalable parameters for allowing the IoT application developers to define the right data management solutions –right from the beginning.

Analytics is regarded as one of the most crucial components of any given IoT solution. Analytics is referred to as the capability of coming across patterns, leveraging data, performing forecasts, integrating machine learning, and so more. It also can know about the insights from the existing data for making your solution highly valuable. You can achieve the same with the help of Cloud APIs. 

Applications

IoT apps tend to be highly creative and feature-rich. They are capable of adopting any form including Cloud, Software, Hardware, and so more. 

Some of the most IoT applications can be:

• Smart City
• Smart Cars
• Connected Health
• Smart Retail
• Smart Home
• Wearables
• Smart Supply Chain 
• Smart Grid
• Industrial Internet
• Smart Farming

IoT Hardware Specification

For smart connected hardware items, you can come across a wide number of relevant opportunities. They also feature specific challenges related to product development. It is estimated that by the end of this year, there are going to be as many as 50 billion IoT devices throughout. 

The hardware components utilized in the given IoT Systems feature devices for its remote dashboard, devices for control, bridge device & sensors, routing device & sensors, and much more. All the available set of devices ensures the capability of managing core functions and tasks. These could include communication, action specification, system activation, and detection for support-centric goals and actions. 

IoT Product Development Stages

#Connectivity & Data Transmission

The certified and experienced team of IoT engineers or application developers can include Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, GPS, RFID, and various other types of secure connectivity and wireless control solutions to the product. The core priority of the development team is concerning the transmission of real-time data with relevant preventions for privacy and security breaches.

#Basic Connectivity

As far as connectivity is concerned, it is associated with connecting the Internet of Things technology. There are multiple options for the same. For the connection of a device or sensor, there are several ways that you can use –including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, NFC, Ethernet, and Cellular.

#Managed Connectivity

Platforms delivering managed connectivity offer ample control and visibility on the IoT devices anywhere throughout the globe. It helps in tracking the exact location of a global SIM that has been installed in some asset. It also offers alerts when anything unusual would take place.

#Identification of Product Hardware

Identification of product hardware is regarded as one of the most significant aspects of different stages of IoT Product Development. Amongst all the hardware components, two types are of utmost importance for developing an IoT product. These are the sensing element and the conversion of the electrical signal to some physical outcome. 

IoT app development teams with extensive industry understanding of the many types of IoT sensors, boards, and linked devices may achieve tremendous success in the field of IoT solution creation.

#Vertical M2M Application

A vertical M2M application will feature two machines –communication or exchanging relevant data without any requirement of human interaction. It helps in covering serial connection, power lines connection, and wireless communications concerning IIoT (Industrial IoT).

#Software & Cloud Integration

Amongst all other stages of IoT solution development, cloud and software integration is an important stage for the development of the best IoT solution or product. The IoT development team is aimed at building mobile and web-based IoT applications for handling the functionality of the application in real-time. There is also the development of custom software or app that can be hosted on the cloud servers for managing the control, monitoring, optimization, and autonomous operations of any product function.

#IoT-capable Applications

There is a wide range of IoT-capable devices and applications that ensure remote health monitoring along with any type of emergency notification system. With the help of the best IoT apps, it is possible to achieve a lot while getting access to real-time information and notifications within any industry.

Read Also: Things To Consider While Choosing An IoT Company

Roadmap for IoT Solution Development

#Conceptualization and Requirement Handling

The first stage of IoT application or product development commences with what customers are looking for. Therefore, it requires setting up proper concepts and functionalities that would go well with IoT application development. You should know about the specific functionalities that you wish to include in the app. Moreover, you should also come up with the right technology for supporting the system or application. 

Before you aim to jump into the planning phase, it is imperative to know about the functionalities and requirements of the product. When you do not perform the conceptualization and requirement gathering activities properly, you can expect some delays in the project delivery timeline. IoT-based projects are unique. This is because there is the involvement of different types of toolkits that are specifically aimed at solving specific problems with particular conditions. 

As a result, it is critical, to begin with a good concept in mind while examining your project demands in terms of ecology, requirements, size, format, and hardware & software specifications

#Involving Partners

Once you are ready with specific project requirements, you are expected to know about different project areas for allowing your team to know about the same. Rather than stretching your internal team for the project, you can consider outsourcing services to a reliable Internet of Things consulting or custom software development company. 

Ensure that you are fully assured about your partners in the form of a reputed Artificial Intelligence development company. Keep a check on the respective track record about whether or not the particular Data Science consulting company is capable of meeting the given project requirements. Make certain that both you and your partner have a thorough awareness of the project’s broad scope. Furthermore, it is critical to adhere to a precise communication procedure to eliminate any forms of misunderstanding.

#Piloting the Project

The given stage is concerned with defining the entire architecture of the IoT application or system. Here, you are expected to consider core aspects –identification and assessment of risks. When you are aware of the product design requirements and the potential risk assessment, the design & development plan will help in mapping out specific roles, tasks, and timelines for the project. 

In the given stage, you are also expected to engage with the stakeholders, CMO, CFO, and CEO for receiving ample inputs. The given stage is responsible for covering the conceptualization stage for imparting your entire team a clear picture of how the end product will appear.

# Mass Development

The main role of the given stage is to get ready with the first batch of the IoT product or application to be delivered to the clients. All the firmware and design of the product should be specific. It will allow the development team to load and test the same. Then, you can assemble the same into a ready product.  

Product setbacks and bottlenecks are quite common during the given stage. This is why it is immensely crucial to monitor as well as track the entire production process.

#Early Application Testing

Before launching the product in the market, it is crucial to test its prototype while offering the same to the users to receive relevant feedback. You should be involved in procedures such as testing setup, testing installation, design, usability, and user experience.

It is important to analyze specific features of mass development. Another crucial aspect of the given stage is a validation of the network of production and component suppliers. The goal should be concerning ensuring a development-ready prototype.

#Application Development

It is one of the most crucial aspects of the project. It implies the implementation of the product plan required for established specifications. You should also look into the system architecture that has been designed for realizing the IoT product. In the given stage, detailed software development will become crucial through the creation of a proper 3D design for the product. 

It aids in the refinement of the product’s core features, the validation of the product’s features, and the development of the product’s prototype.

#Logistics Support

The final stage of the IoT solution development process is concerned with delivering steady logistics support. It includes transferring development responsibility to the manufacturing or development teams. Moreover, it is also responsible for covering quality control procedures, documentation control, and development planning.

#Lifecycle Management

Once the product has been released and landed on the market, it is required to analyze and monitor the application data produced through the IoT platform. It helps in boosting the next iteration of the IoT product. Moreover, in the stage handling process, product updates are carried out for avoiding any disruption in the functionality. 

You can opt for executing IoT lifecycle management in a single, centralized platform for ensuring seamless product launch. 

To conclude

Businesses are constantly adopting high-end trends to become extremely competitive in the market, owing to fast improvements in technology and time. IoT serves to be the next boom in the technology industry. It is expected to grow more in recent time. You should search for the best IoT development team or company for handling your project efficiently. The development team will also help you in suggesting the most appropriate IoT application as per your specific business requirements.