As grand as the term “Internet of things” sounds, it is something that many of us make use of each day. Smartwatches that monitor one’s health, smart home appliances and security systems, and even Internet-connected baby monitors all make use of IoT architecture, which proves that it’s all around us. It makes sense, then, that IoT architecture is used in the running of businesses more and more these days, and its power to help an enterprise grow cannot be understated. Here at Fourier IT, we offer our clients an IoT platform designed to streamline daily operations, increase productivity, and save on time and money. Below we take a look at what this broad term means.
The Foundation of IoT Architecture
Because it is used across thousands of applications for various purposes, it’s hard to give the Internet of things an absolute definition, but the key to understanding it is all in the name. It is essentially a system of objects (things) such as mechanical or digital devices, appliances, and machines that are capable of transferring data across a network (the Internet). This data communication requires no human labour apart from a prompt (automated or not). The “things” in question feature embedded sensors and actuators that sense key environmental factors surrounding them, and this data is collected and then passed on to IoT gateways.
The gateways in IoT architecture facilitate the transference of data between sensors and actuators and the rest of the platform. It converts data received into a simplified format that is usable and easy to transfer. Information can also be filtered out and specifically selected to ensure only the data you really need gets through. The gateways ofIoT architecture are thus “pre-processing” factories that break information down into digestible chunks for later use. Gateways manage two-way communication, that is, information flow in both directions, and are thus coupled with security tools to ensure no cloud data leaks or security breaches occur.
Large-scale IoT projects benefit from edge devices too. These are systems that provide the physical infrastructure that is located closer to the source of data. Closer data storage improves response times, saving on bandwidth, and offers more flexibility when it comes to processing and analysing data. Larger forms of data which need Cloud storage are sent there, while the edge infrastructure provides advanced on-device processing for immediate actionable intelligence.
Unlike edge systems, however, Cloud computing is capable of storing, analysing, and processing huge amounts of information, and provides on-demand hyperscale, business intelligence, and access from anywhere in the world.
Our Solution
We have designed our Internet of Things architecture to unlock value from any stage of your system’s maturity journey. Our platform solution is built around SOA principles – you can replace components as needed, and scalability is possible too. It also allows for the consumption of external data sources which streamlines decision making and integrates into other systems easily. As your business grows, so does the platform, extending its function with new devices and protocols over time.
If you would like to find out more about our innovative business solutions, why not get in touch with us today?