There is an array of different IoT platforms, all designed to support the different uses of the technology, as well as supporting the development and deployment of custom IoT solutions.
Below we provide an overview of the 6 main types of IoT platforms (there are more!), their capabilities, and give you real-world examples so that you can better understand the IoT landscape.
The 6 types of IoT platforms:
Device Management Platforms
Device management platforms focus on managing the lifecycle of IoT devices, from provisioning and configuration to monitoring and remote troubleshooting. These platforms ensure that devices remain secure, up-to-date, and operating efficiently, enabling businesses to track device health, apply firmware updates, and manage security policies remotely.
Real-world example: Arm Pelion is a device management platform that offers comprehensive device and data management capabilities, enabling businesses to manage a wide range of IoT devices across different industries.
Connectivity and Network Platforms
Connectivity and network platforms provide the necessary infrastructure for IoT devices to communicate with each other and the cloud. These platforms manage various connectivity options, such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network), ensuring that devices can transmit data reliably and securely.
Real-world example: Sigfox is a global IoT connectivity provider that offers a low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) for IoT devices, enabling long-range, low-cost communication.
Data and Analytics Platforms
Data and analytics platforms focus on collecting, processing, and analysing data from IoT devices. These platforms offer tools for data ingestion, storage, and visualization, as well as advanced analytics capabilities such as machine learning and AI. They enable businesses to gain actionable insights, optimise processes, and make data-driven decisions.
Real-world example: Google Cloud IoT Core is a data and analytics platform that provides a fully-managed service for ingesting, processing, and analysing IoT data, along with integration with Google's machine learning and analytics services (i.e. they come separately).
Application Enablement Platforms (AEP)
AEPs provide a set of pre-built, customisable tools, services, and integrations for developing, deploying, and managing IoT applications. AEPs enable businesses to focus on their core competencies and create innovative solutions without spending excessive time and resources on building and maintaining complex application infrastructure.
Real-world example: Siemens MindSphere is an AEP that offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services for creating IoT applications, including visual development tools, analytics capabilities, and pre-built integrations with various IoT devices and systems.
Vertical-Specific Platforms
Vertical-specific platforms are designed for specific industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, or agriculture. They offer tailored tools, services, and integrations to address the unique challenges and requirements of their target industries, enabling businesses to develop and deploy IoT solutions that are optimised for their specific needs.
Real-world example: GE Digital's Predix is an industrial IoT platform that provides tools and services specifically designed to optimise asset performance, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency.
Integrated Data, AI + IoT Platforms
These platforms combine the capabilities of IoT, data, and AI into a single, unified platform, enabling businesses to develop, deploy, and manage end-to-end IoT solutions that include advanced (and predictive) analytics, machine learning, and AI. In short, they are an amalgamation of the 5 platforms above, but with added industry 4.0 capabilities, and with many of the features of individual data platform and AI platform built-in.
Real-world example: Rayven is an integrated platform that combines IoT, real-time data, and AI services, allowing businesses to build and manage IoT applications with built-in analytics, machine learning, and AI capabilities all-in-one. Rayven offers seamless integration with other technologies (100% interoperability), enabling businesses to develop custom sophisticated, data-driven IoT solutions.
Choosing the right IoT platform for your business depends on your specific needs, industry, and use cases.
Rayven's integrated data, AI + IoT platform enables you to create a real-time, accurate single source of truth for all your data; gives you all-new ways to visualise and analyse it in real-time; as well as providing you with a set of easy-to-use tools that enable you to build your own industrial IoT solutions that improve performance, simply. In short, it offers the same capabilities of an AEP, but with added Industry 4.0 capabilities - all at the same price.