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IoT Automation

A Complete Tutorial

IoT automation is a growing field, and there is high demand for skilled professionals. Getting started with IoT automation seems a bit daunting, but with PixelCrayons, you can get result-driven and smart IoT automation solutions. In this tutorial, you will learn all details of IoT automation solutions. So, let's begin:

IoT Automation Overview

“If you think that the internet has changed your life, think again. The Internet of Things is about to change it all over again!” — Brendan O’Brien

Do you know the amount of data created by IoT devices is predicted to reach 73.1ZB by 2025?

Yes, IoT has become another buzz word among businesses. IoT development can be complex, particularly if you want to build an efficient network of smart devices on the cloud. So, If you're thinking about hiring an IoT automation company, there are some essential things to keep in mind throughout the development process to get the most out of your investment in your new system. Here are some tips on choosing an IoT automation company, how to work with them, and what to expect along the way!

Let us begin with the basics!

What is IoT?

Internet of Things,

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that refers to a network of devices that are connected, collecting, and exchanging data with each other. From thermostats and fitness trackers to security cameras and smartwatches, everything around us can be connected.

This creates limitless possibilities for making smarter products and services, managing operations more efficiently, automating tasks, improving customer service, and increasing revenues. Industries such as healthcare, retail, agriculture, transportation, or energy can benefit from IoT automation solutions in many ways by getting real-time information about their assets. It also provides them with valuable insights into consumer behavior, enabling them to be more competitive in their industry.

Characteristics of IoT

Internet of Things Development

There are five characteristics of IoT that make it really different from your typical app development project.

  • • Firstly, there is no single part called application in an IoT automation project; instead, everything is connected. Secondly, data gets generated at a very high rate (high frequency) because every device has an always-on connection, and sensors generate data continuously.
  • • Secondly, devices can be physically distributed all around you (there's no need for an office or central servers).
  • • Thirdly, not everyone needs access to all of that data, so security is essential - mainly if there are business implications involved.
  • • And finally, updates must frequently happen - perhaps as often as tens of times per day - because things change very quickly in the real world.

What Challenges Businesses are Facing with IoT Automation?

IoT Development,

It’s no longer news that the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the business sector and the world we live in. Still, we’re yet to fully grasp all its possibilities and implications. The question on everyone’s mind these days is: How can businesses use IoT to benefit from new and innovative revenue streams? The answer to this question relies on how ready your business is to create IoT-based solutions to real-world problems.

1) Lack of Standardization

Developing and deploying an IoT automation solutionIoT automation solution requires working with complex and often proprietary hardware and software, making it difficult to standardize. There’s also a lack of know-how in all areas, from basic programming knowledge to networking, data security, and data collection.
These challenges make IoT development very costly for most companies. Thus, finding skilled people to do things right from scratch can be extremely challenging. It can also take quite a time to find them if you don’t already have them on your team. For example, it could take months to gather a team that understands not only how sensors work but how they communicate over different types of networks.

2) Security Concerns

Security concerns are a real challenge when it comes to IoT development. The more devices that have access to your network, both inside and outside your business, the more significant number of potential insecurities. It is vital to building a robust security model from conception and throughout implementation. That being said, it’s also important not to overdo things, and you don’t want your security protocols to negatively impact performance or user experience.

3) Technology Limitations

As companies rush to adopt IoT technology, they’re confronting a wide array of difficulties. One of the most significant is guaranteeing that existing technology infrastructure is adequate for running an IoT solution. An effortless way to address these issues is to hire an independent software development company to help with IoT automation services.
When hiring an outsourcing partner, selecting a team with a proven track record in IoT solutions is crucial. You should also ensure that your outsourced development team has complete access to your internal teams and any proprietary information you might have on hand at your organization.

4) Trust Issues

Trust and transparency are two concepts that every business will run into when developing IoT solutions. Asking your customers to install a device or application with an Internet connection and access their personal data is a big deal for most people.
Simply sending them a text message telling them about it won’t cut it — you need to make sure they understand why you need their data, how you’re going to use it, and what information they can expect from you in return. To provide trust, transparent relationships with your clients are absolutely essential for any IoT project.

5) Data Integrity

Despite all of its potential, IoT development does raise some privacy concerns for companies and individuals. It is vital to protect your data with secure passwords, encryption protocols, and robust authentication procedures.
This will make sure that only authorized users can access your system. Privacy policies are also essential when dealing with IoT systems; setting them up beforehand will help you avoid issues later on. Depending on what information you’re collecting about users, it might be worth getting their consent before you start using their data for analytics purposes or giving it to third parties.
You should also research applicable laws to learn how certain types of data should be stored and protected in each country where you plan to deploy your IoT application.

6) Reliability Issues

Consumers are rightfully concerned about how connected devices may jeopardize their privacy. According to a recent survey, 80% of people who don’t own connected devices said they never or rarely read privacy policies. Though many companies make big promises about using consumer data, these policies are often buried in small print and seldom read by end-users.
The threat goes beyond tracking; if hackers target your connected device with malware, not only could they find out your favorite ice cream flavor (which isn’t even that personal!), but they could also gain access to all sorts of sensitive information like bank accounts and emails. To combat these concerns, privacy needs to be baked into IoT development from day one so companies can get privacy rights while still driving innovation forward.

7) Analyzing and Tracking data

The IoT is a mess of data from many sources, and setting up an infrastructure to keep track of all that information is a challenge. This challenge isn’t specific to developers but businesses as a whole. Companies aren’t just concerned with compiling and analyzing data from their IoT devices—they have tons of other internal data points to monitor as well.
In fact, about 90% of IoT deployments run into problems because business owners forget about non-IoT data analytics challenges entirely. The first step is finding out how you want to track your device-specific data, what questions you want to be answered by it, and where you need insights from both within your organization and outside it.

8) Meeting Regulations and Standards

While it’s easy to get caught up in discussions about cloud hosting and IoT devices, many organizations must also deal with regulations. The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has published several standards for specific industries to follow when developing an IoT solution.
Those standards can be complex, so your best bet is to use a reputable software development company that already has experience creating IoT applications for clients in your industry. Your new partner should also have detailed knowledge of ISO regulations to avoid unexpected issues during implementation.

9) Scalability Concerns

Let’s say you want to bring in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) development company, and thousands of people will use your product. If your IoT application works well with a handful of users but is not scalable, what do you think will happen when it’s time to market?
You can spend months or years developing an IoT app that works just fine for a select group of customers. But when it comes time to scale and spread your product far and wide, you might find out that some issues in your design won’t work at large scales.

Top 10 Advantages of

  IoT Automation for Businesses

“The IoT is removing mundane, repetitive tasks or creating things that just weren’t possible before, enabling more people to do more rewarding tasks and leaving the machines to do the repetitive jobs.” — Grant Notman, Head of Sales and Marketing, Wood & Douglas.

IoT Development,

IoT automation services can be highly beneficial to companies looking to improve the efficiency of their business. By integrating IoT solutions, companies can gather real-time data about their products and services, allowing them to more effectively identify problems and potential opportunities than ever before possible. Read on to learn more about the top 10 advantages of IoT automation for businesses!

1) Greater Customer Connectivity

With IoT automation, it is possible to connect devices directly to cloud services to transmit real-time data straight to customers. The result is increased customer connectivity and a much richer experience. Your ability to tailor your offerings based on customer needs increases dramatically when you take advantage of IoT automation.
The more information you have about customers’ buying habits and preferences, the better able you can provide custom offers and products that will be well received. Customers appreciate relevant and timely offerings; it can also lead them to purchase more often from you rather than a competitor who isn’t as responsive or as innovative in their offerings.

2) Better Decision Making

IoT automation services provide businesses with real-time data that can help them make smarter decisions. Being able to act on changing information quickly gives businesses a competitive edge over competitors, who might be relying on outdated information. IoT automation also enables companies to collect feedback directly from customers.
Instead of wasting time surveying their needs, you can ask your customers what they think at any given moment—then implement their feedback quickly and easily. In short, not only does IoT automation give you direct access to your customer’s wants and needs, it helps you respond effectively to those wants and needs by updating apps or marketing strategies as needed. The result? More satisfied customers who are likely to return or spend more money in your business.

3) Improved Customer Experience

Let’s face it—over time, processes tend to grow inefficient. With IoT automation services, you can cut down on wasteful or inefficient practices within your company’s operations. By monitoring all aspects of your business with IoT development services, you can identify problem areas and improve them immediately to ensure they don’t become more significant issues down the road.
You can also look at data on an ongoing basis to make adjustments as necessary; if an area of your business is underperforming for one month, for example, you might adjust marketing efforts to fix it.

4) Improved Operations Efficiency

Incorporating IoT into a business’ operations is a great way to improve efficiency, as sensors allow us to keep an eye on machines and systems. What’s more, companies can also use IoT to create digital twins – virtual representations of physical products or sites – which can be used as training tools or as references for troubleshooting issues.
In addition, using smart devices allows workers to spend less time gathering data manually and analyzing it, which can save companies money in staffing costs alone. Additionally, IoT will enable businesses to collect vast amounts of valuable data that they may not have been able to access before.

5) Increased Productivity

IoT development services are rapidly making their way into business operations. You might already have several smart devices that are connected to your organization’s network. And, while they may still be considered optional to your day-to-day operations, you could be missing out on increased productivity and reduced costs by ignoring IoT technology.
The Internet of Things has improved our everyday lives in nearly every area—from entertainment to education—and businesses can reap similar benefits by taking advantage of IoT development services. If you want to keep up with consumers and better position your organization for success, it’s time to take a hard look at how IoT can benefit your company today.

6) Cost Saving Potential

The Internet of Things is transforming business in various ways, from new revenue streams to improved internal efficiency. In many cases, it also improves security by eliminating blind spots and securing connections between devices on a network.
A smart home may still have vulnerabilities—after all, there’s always a human factor to consider—but they aren’t nearly as severe as vulnerabilities associated with traditional software and hardware systems. As you develop your Internet of Things solution, take advantage of these security measures.

7) Create Tangible Value from Data Generated

Thanks to significant improvements in technology, businesses can take advantage of large-scale technology integration. This offers a massive range of benefits in terms of functionality and efficiency, especially when it comes to areas like security and data collection.
The Internet of Things (IoT) gives business owners real-time insights into how their company operates and ensures that all systems remain secure at all times—something traditional networks often struggle with. It also helps reduce downtime since any technical issues can be detected and resolved quickly.

8) Better Security Measures

By utilizing an Internet of Things (IoT) solution, business owners and managers can significantly enhance their security measures. The fact is that most network security systems focus on conventional hardware and software solutions and don’t account for wireless networks.
However, leveraging a cloud-based IoT solution can eliminate or significantly reduce your exposure to wireless risks. This allows your systems to operate even if an attacker breaches your network security; they’ll be unable to access any wireless devices as those devices will not be connected to your network via cables.
Additionally, you only need one device instead of multiple hardware and software solutions by using a cloud-based solution, thus minimizing any potential vulnerabilities in one specific area or piece of equipment.

9) Real-Time Information Availability

With IoT development, businesses can make informed decisions in real-time. With data flowing from every corner of your company, you’ll have access to all relevant information at any given moment. This helps not only with operational effectiveness but with sales forecasting as well.
For example, say you’re a construction company and need estimates and timeframes on upcoming projects before bidding; the ability to track everything from material usage to project duration means an accurate estimate can be delivered without guesswork.

10) Analytics Insight Opportunities

More and more, business owners are adding analytics to their toolbox. The reason? It can be a critical differentiator from competitors, provide valuable real-time information, and help shape strategy. The challenge? Often companies don’t know where to start or what questions to ask.
To take advantage of analytics insights, you must understand what types of data you have access to – and what kind would benefit your company most – as well as whether any compliance issues might prevent you from taking action on a particular piece of information or insight.

Tips To Choose An

IoT Automation Company

What is IoT

How do you decide which IoT automation company to work with? How do you know if they're the right company for your project? Here are some tips and questions to ask when choosing an IoT development company, including several questions you should always ask any potential IoT partner regardless of their location or size!

1) Choose an IoT automation company that has expertise

In India, many organizations offer IoT automation services to small and large enterprises. While hiring a professional company is a good idea, you will have to be choosy because not all companies have experienced developers who know about every area of IoT technology.

2) Ensure they have adequate skills

As any business person will tell you, an idea is worth nothing if you can't execute it properly. When choosing a company for your IoT automation, ensure that they have a proven track record of creating top-quality products and services. You may also want to look for a company with specific knowledge in IoT technology, as these firms will likely be able to handle all aspects of automation, from building hardware to writing code.
Get references: Sometimes things sound great on paper, but once your project gets going, you find out that no one at your chosen firm really knows what they are doing to avoid being disappointed in their work when you have already paid them thousands of dollars in advance, ask for references from other companies who have worked with them in the past.

3) Take note of their portfolio of IoT solutions developed for similar customers

Have they worked with companies in your industry? Have they designed for your specific IoT use case, or is their portfolio one of a kind? How quickly do you need to get up and run? If you're looking for an IoT automation firm in India, make sure you understand how they operate.
Do they have experience working with clients similar to yours? Many companies claim big things when it comes to working on customized solutions, but some are better at playing matchmaker than others.

4) Avoid companies that lack transparency on their pricing structure

If an IoT automation company is not upfront with its pricing, you should probably avoid working with them. The rule of thumb here is that if they're offering anything less than clear transparency on their pricing structure, there's a good chance something isn't right.
It could be that they're getting additional (and unnecessary) funding to remain in business. It could also be that they're simply incompetent, making it difficult for them to provide accurate quotes based on your needs. Either way, if an IoT automation company isn't willing to disclose its price upfront, find another one.

5) Seek IoT automation companies offering long-term support

When you choose an IoT automation company, make sure it offers long-term support to your business. In other words, don't go for a fly-by-night operation. It is not uncommon for IoT product automation to take months or even years – and expect plenty of failures along the way – which means that you need a trusted partner who will be there with you until completion.
You want someone with a good track record and a strong reputation in IoT product automation who knows what they are doing. This is true both from a technical standpoint as well as from an organizational one. A bad choice can be costly, so it's essential to do your research before deciding.

6) Ask what kind of databases are used by them

Ask your IoT automation company what kind of databases they use for data storage. Relational databases are common, but NoSQL databases are gaining in popularity. It's best to go with a company that uses both types of the database if you don't want to worry about data security later on. If you choose a provider that only uses NoSQL and your business proliferates, it may be difficult or impossible to migrate to a different provider later on.
Do not underestimate IoT DVR space requirements: Be sure to ask potential developers how much disk space their system needs. You will probably need more than you expect! Since IoT device capacity is limited, many companies build video servers that record up to weeks' worth of footage. That means terabytes—not gigabytes—of data at any given time.

7) Look for experienced employees who will be handling your project

One of the key differentiators of an IoT automation company is whether or not they use automated tools like version control systems (VCS), source code management systems (SCM), continuous integration, and continuous delivery (CI/CD) tools, and Agile methodologies.
Ensure that their proposed IoT solution can be maintained and kept up-to-date with all that software and hardware moving forward. Otherwise, it could result in a costly—and potentially dangerous—surprise down the road. If your IoT automation firm doesn't use these technologies, you may want to consider hiring them as a sub-contractor on your project or find another team entirely.

8) Make sure they know your industry domain inside out

Estimation is an essential part of any project. If you are planning to build an IoT device, estimation should be done at the first step by your provider to know what can be done, how much it costs, and how much time it will take. Therefore, estimation is vital before starting any project.
It's not wise to hire a provider who can give accurate estimates without knowing all details about your product or service. When you contact them, they should ask for more information to provide a precise estimation, or else don't hire them for your product automation needs. That way, if their estimations are too high, then you have time to look for another firm with a better price range.

Test them by checking if they can give accurate project estimates without knowing the exact details about your project.

One of the most crucial parts of choosing an IoT automation company is finding a team to offer you reliable and accurate project estimates. You don't want to end up in a situation where they either overcharge you or take up your time and then leave.
To ensure that both you and your team remain on track, we recommend asking them to provide an estimate for key features, milestones, and deliverables before moving forward. While at first glance, it may not seem like such an extensive list, if they can give accurate project estimates without knowing all of your exact details about your project, you can be sure whether they can meet your expectations or not.

How Businesses Can Ensure Success with an

IoT Automation Company?

Internet of Things Development

Getting business customers to adopt any new technology can be challenging, but it can be even more difficult with the IoT (Internet of Things). If you’re working with an IoT automation company to create an IoT product or system, there are some essential things you can do to help ensure success. Here are seven ways businesses provide success with an IoT automation company!

1) Build Strong Relationships

When you’re trying to figure out how to bring your idea to life, you must work with an IoT automation company that makes a point of building strong relationships. That way, you can be sure that they care about helping you succeed, and their work will reflect a deep understanding of your unique business.

2) Know Your Core Competencies

This is a rule-of-thumb for any business, but it’s particularly pertinent for IoT, which is still in its infancy. This doesn’t mean you should ignore IoT if your core competencies lie elsewhere—just make sure you know what you are getting into. The last thing you want to do is hire an IoT automation company that can’t deliver what they promise on time and within budget.

3) Define Requirements Before Looking For Vendors

An IoT automation company or a vendor should be brought in only after a business owner has a good understanding of what they want to accomplish and how they’ll measure success. Defining these requirements upfront ensures that you understand your business needs and goals before committing to significant expenditure.
Not defining requirements leaves businesses open to investing time and money into something that may not work for them. Make sure you specify what you need from your vendor before committing any resources towards hiring one.

4) Seek Advice From Experts

The world of IoT can be tricky to navigate, and it’s vital to get advice from experts along the way. When you work with a skilled IoT automation company, they can guide you through your project and help ensure success. If you want to succeed in business, you should always look for advice from experts.

5) Know How to Best Manage Your Vendor/Partner Relationship

Outsourcing IoT automation to a trusted vendor is key to IoT success. To have a long-lasting relationship, you must know how to best manage your business partner. Treat them as a valuable asset—not just a service provider—and they’ll be far more likely to help you succeed.

6) Take Advantage of Technology Tools Available at your Disposal

When it comes to IoT automation services, there are a lot of IoT automation firms that can assist your business. One thing that sets a particular firm apart is its ability to leverage technology to provide IoT products and services.
An innovative firm knows how to use available technology tools at its disposal to ensure success when it comes to providing IoT solutions for clients. In today’s world, where every business has been transformed by technology, businesses need partners who can help them take advantage of these technological advancements.

7) Look Into the Future and Predict Solutions

The business of predicting what’s going to happen tomorrow is difficult, but analyzing trends and predicting their future impact on a business is more doable. An IoT development company has a leg up in doing so because it knows its clients’ businesses inside and out—and that’s why your company mustn’t lose sight of its work or how it fits into your client’s ecosystem.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an IoT Development Company in India

When you're looking to hire an IoT development company in India, it's essential to know exactly what you will get before making any decisions. Here are ten questions you should ask every company you consider so that you can be sure of what you're signing up for and whether it will work with your business goals and timeline.

1) What is the name of your company?

If you're working with an IoT development company in India, make sure you ask them what their company name is. For instance, if they're called The Solutions Team, that may mean they subcontract work out to other companies. Make sure they have a dedicated team—and it's not just them and one developer.

2) What do you specialize in?

Knowing their specialty can help you narrow down your options and ensure that you're working with a company that will provide solutions for your needs. If you want a mobile app, don't select a development company that only offers web development. Likewise, if you're interested in smart home technology, ensure your prospective IoT development firm has experience with all three of these areas.

3) How many years have you been working on IoT projects?

When working with an IoT development company, it's crucial to determine if they have experience developing for your device type. If not, ask for references or examples of previous projects—or better yet, visit one of their current clients' sites so you can see how things work in practice.
The more informed you are about what you want and need out of your IoT application (and your technology partner), the more likely it is that you'll end up with a high-quality product that meets your needs.

4) What types of devices have you worked on before?

You should ask a potential IoT development company what devices they've worked on before. Different devices have different advantages and challenges, so finding a development partner who has experience with your device will help ensure your project goes smoothly.
If possible, bring one of your prototypes to demonstrate exactly what you're trying to accomplish and how it works. The more information you can provide upfront, the better!

5) Do you have previous IoT projects which I can look at?

How will you keep me updated on your progress? Will I have a dedicated project manager? How often do you report status updates? How easy is it for me to get a hold of my assigned resource if I need something from them?
A good development team should have no problem communicating with you, providing regular status updates, and addressing any questions or concerns as soon as they come up. If a team has a hard time answering these simple questions, that's a red flag.

6) How do we communicate?

One of the most important questions you should ask when hiring an IoT development company is how they will communicate with you. Will your project manager be in-house or remote? How quickly do they respond to your requests?
Do they use email, Skype, phone calls, text messages—or some combination? It's not always possible for a business owner (especially when it comes to IoT) to be hands-on for their entire project, so clarity is key when choosing who you want on your team.

7) How long will this project take to complete? Can we extend our deadline if needed?

One of your first questions should be how long it will take to complete. IoT development takes time, but if you have a pressing deadline, ask if there's any way you can extend your deadline if needed. The worst thing that can happen is that they say no. If they are open to working with you on that matter, then that's a great sign they are willing to work with you throughout development and not just at launch.

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