The world of the Internet of Things (IoT) has felt like a wild and uncharted territory for a long time. But things are changing. Big changes are taking place. Platforms like Google IoT Core and IBM Watson IoT are either closing down or changing, showing that things are shifting a lot.
The most recent event happened when Microsoft’s Azure console showed a wrong message suggesting that Azure IoT Central might be going away. Even though Microsoft fixed the mistake, it makes us think about what is coming for IoT services as OT and IT worlds come together.
So, what exact IoT services do businesses really need now that OT and IT are merging?
In the past, IoT solutions were put together in a messy way, which often didn’t work well and cost a lot. IoT cloud services thereafter popped up, offering complete and secure solutions covering everything from device software to data management and business services.
However, one solution does not fit all situations. Every industry needs its own specific answers, which means a lot of customization is needed. While integrated services simplify IoT, the costs often outweigh the benefits.
Developing device software is costly and complex. However, with the rise of IoT Device Platform as a Service (DPaaS), developers can focus on applications rather than building entire software stacks from scratch.
Data in IoT comes in many shapes and sizes, so we need middleware that can adapt and handle this complexity. Rather than rigid, one-size-fits-all services, enterprises should opt for customizable solutions that cater to their specific needs. Lightweight, API-based integrations are key for seamless management.
While ready-made IoT environments offer convenience, they often fall short as requirements evolve. Enterprises should prioritize direct integration of IoT data into existing business frameworks for long-term sustainability.
