Internet of Things (IoT) Architecture Platform and Development Approach

Internet of Things (IoT) is about equipping physical objects with smart sensors or actuators and the capability to exchange data amongst each other or with computer system via an IP-based network. The Internet of Things allows objects to be sensed and controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure, creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit.

Essentially, IoT expands IP-based networks, like the internet or company-owned intranets, beyond traditional computing devices and shifts it from the digital into the physical space. IoT makes use of synergies generated by the convergence of consumer, business and industrial internet and creates a global network connecting people, data, and things.

IoT means that there is a lot of data extracted from different devices and systems. This data can be an opportunity for a lot of improvements and changes, when interpreted right (e.g. for optimizing the supply-chain-management). Today, most IoT applications are about reacting to the measured data. In future the data could be used a lot more to not only react to a specific situation but to predict what will happen next (e.g. predicting the failure of specific parts of a machine). Therefore IoT will often be combined with Big data & Analytics and IT as a Service (also known as Cloud computing) capabilities to process the vast amount of data and to derive valuable knowledge out of it.

The IoT platform architecture(s) should satisfy the business requirements of today, and position the organization for the future growth in this area. Both vertical and horizontal integration must be strongly considered, and the architecture must enable this through the use of industry standards. Architecture development approach should follow a modular approach to start small and grow smart. This will create an adaptive architecture to cater to dynamic business requirements, driven by business projects.

The approach and general steps to develop the IoT Platform Architecture are:

• Consider the most preferred theoretic target, the ideal scenario based on the greatest potential business benefits
• Assemble the identified use cases and potential vendor / suppliers
• Assemble the vendor / supplier reference
• Evaluate each reference architecture based on the constraints / requirements list
• Look for synergies and commonalities among architectures. Consider future integration points