Did you know that commercial 5G services have already been deployed across more than 1,500 cities in over 60 countries around the world? In fact, it’s estimated that by 2024 over

In other words, the advancement of the 5G wireless network is actively transforming the world around us. And whether it’s for business or personal use, it’s clear that numerous industries and domains can benefit from the advanced capabilities posed by 5G. Not to mention that 5G will play a critical role as the number of IoT devices and scenarios continue to rise. 

The increasing number of IoT devices is undoubtedly leading to a reliance on 5G in order to transmit vast amounts of data in real-time and avoid lag associated with slow networks and too many devices. Therefore, this article will be used to discuss the benefits that 5G has to offer for IoT, both currently and in the future.

As a leading app development firm with a presence in California, New York, and London supporting VC-basked startups to Fortune 500 companies, we love providing our clients with cutting-edge IoT solutions. That said, we thought it would be useful to dig into how the introduction of 5G is actually influencing the growth of IoT. Let’s dig in.

What is 5G & How Can it Apply to IoT?

What exactly is 5G? Simply put, the fifth generation of mobile networking (5G) is a cutting-edge communication system that includes a mostly New Radio (5G NR) framework and an entirely new core network with the primary purpose of achieving truly wireless connections around the globe. 

So, how does 5G relate to IoT? Well, the Internet of Things (IoT) is constantly evolving, and therefore requires a faster network with higher capacity that can serve its ever-changing connectivity needs; exactly where 5G comes into play. 

The 5G spectrum expands the frequencies on which digital cellular technologies will transfer data, and increases the overall bandwidth of cellular networks, allowing for additional IoT devices to connect to it. In other words, some of the many benefits that accompany the integration of 5G in IoT include:

Greater Data-Transfer Speeds

It goes without saying that the success of IoT is ultimately tied to the performance of its devices. More specifically, how quickly IoT devices can communicate with one another is the primary factor to consider when analyzing the effectiveness of IoT. Fortunately with the integration of 5G, this communication is likely to increase tremendously.

In fact, it’s estimated that 5G will be up to 10 times faster than current LTE networks, allowing IoT devices to communicate and share data faster than ever before. This increase in speed will help to reduce the lag between connected IoT devices, ultimately allowing them to send and receive data in a quick and effective manner. 

Advanced Network Reliability

In addition to the increased speed offered by 5G, this integration will create more effective and reliable connections, which is extremely important for any IoT device or scenario. And, as the 5G network has the ability to handle a greater amount of connected IoT devices, users are sure to experience advanced reliability when using their devices to browse the internet, transmit data, and perform their work duties.

The Future of IoT: Can 5G Spark an IoT Revolution?

So, we know that 5G is fast, comprehensive, and undoubtedly reliable, but can the integration of it spark an IoT revolution? Well, many experts are suggesting that the ongoing advances in 5G can certainly help generate some momentum in the realm of IoT initiatives.

Nowadays, smart homes, smartphones, and wearable smart devices are a part of our everyday lives and will continue to grow with the speed and performance capabilities that 5G has to offer. With such a heavy reliance on mobile IoT today, it would make sense that within the next 20 years 5G will continue to evolve and IoT will look completely different as a result.

In addition, 5G-enabled IoT is not only expected to enable a technological IoT revolution, but it’s also projected to help optimize millions of jobs all over the world. From transportation and agriculture to manufacturing and other physical industries, the integration of 5G in IoT is expected to support jobs in virtually any industry you can think of. Not to mention that 5G in IoT has the potential to revolutionize smart machinery and smart manufacturing use cases. 

In other words, it’s safe to say that with the integration of 5G in IoT, our society will be more efficient, smart cities will be made possible, and users can expect greater personalization and automation in everything from their job to their home lives.

In this post, we’ll cover what exactly Industrial IoT (IIoT) is, how you can implement IIoT to work seamlessly with your existing infrastructure, and what it can do for the industry’s exiting maintenance workforce.

Industrial IoT

The IIoT involves the same things as an IoT system (connectivity between devices and sensors to the cloud and IoT software) but it also adds another layer of complexity. By connecting machinery, computers, and people into the system, IIoT applications use advanced data analytics to optimize industrial operations. IIoT systems can be applied to any facility, especially if they’re experiencing more downtime than revenues allow. With IIoT, maintenance personnel and the maintenance budget can work more efficiently to combat losses in revenue and product quality.

Using IIoT to Augment Your Assets

It’s important to take a look at your current assets and operational workflows to get a baseline idea of what can be optimized and fixed with an IIoT application. IIoT applications work best when they’re targeting specific problems and workflows, rather than being a one-size-fits-all solution that tries to fix everything. An IIoT expert can help you analyze your current infrastructure and devices as well as pinpoint how an IIoT solution can work alongside existing assets while complementing maintenance plans that are already in place.

Look for an IIoT firm that offers the latest technology and has a proven record of helping incoming employees train on information that could be lost by employee turnover. Craig Resneck is VP of Consulting at Boston-based ARC Advisory Group, a leader in technology research and advisory role for the IIoT industry. According to Resnick, in the process industries, the average impact of unplanned downtime is around $20 billion, which accounts for about 5% of the annual production of these companies. IIoT is a great tool to automate maintenance to minimize unplanned downtime and maximize the return on automation assets. Reliability experts say that unplanned downtime costs companies 10 times as much as planned downtime for maintenance.

Although IIoT can fix a lot of problems your company might be facing, it’s important to know that IIoT technology is not a good investment if it doesn’t enhance the value of your current machinery and equipment. On the other hand, there are many companies that haven’t considered IIoT-enhanced predictive maintenance or haven’t found a viable solution and are still able to combat unplanned downtime using other methods and tools. By maintaining their equipment more frequently and having replacement parts on hand, these companies are fighting downtime risk in a suboptimal way that costs a lot in the way of maintenance and parts.

IIoT technology can bring a balance to situations where companies are fearful of the next machine break-down, giving companies a tolerable target for downtime. Think of IIoT as augmenting your company’s existing machinery assets and optimizing your maintenance budget with predictive maintenance and minimal unplanned downtime. Seek out a predictive maintenance firm if you think your company would benefit greatly from a combination of computing technology, sensors, and IIoT to leverage your maintenance dollars in an optimal way.

Finding New Talent

In the past three decades, industrial facilities have become much more complex and technologically enhanced. Manufacturing facilities now work 24/7, and their equipment is at a high risk of breakdown due to the increased stress on the machinery. Employees also are at risk of becoming burned out and unhappy with their jobs.

While the demand for equipment uptime has increased enormously, the availability of skilled maintenance personnel that knows how to keep machinery working and running 24/7 has decreased considerably. Those that do have the experience to maintain equipment under strenuous conditions are older and reaching retirement age. But there is a massive shortage of skilled workers that can replace the older, more experienced maintenance workforce. College graduates have shifted into pursuing more innovative roles, rather than seek employment that involves equipment and hardware maintenance.

With the increasing popularity of IIoT technology, we need to fill the void of the exiting maintenance workforce and lower numbers of new, trainable employees with sensors and computing technology that can help companies achieve a tolerable downtime risk. Using IIoT, companies can get an hourly report on machinery efficiency and output which can help identify anomalies faster. This can augment routine maintenance and lower the impact of downtime on the company’s bottom line.

IIoT and Beyond

IIoT is a flexible and highly impactful technology that can be used to fix a multitude of problems and issues within a company. No one should be able to say that they tried implementing IIoT technology and it didn’t work. Without the correct guidance from experts and experienced professionals, IIoT can’t provide the maximum return on investment or find immediate value in your business. If you’re going to give IIoT a shot, make sure you’re optimizing its chance for success.

Embracing change and adapting to newer paradigms is essential to surviving and thriving in the tech industry. When Dogtown Media first opened for business in 2011, we knew that the Internet of Things (IoT) was something special. Since then, we’ve striven every day to establish ourselves as a leading IoT app development organization.

Well, it turns out that hard work and perseverance pays off — TopDevelopers.co has named Dogtown Media as a leading IoT app developer!

IoT is evolving fast. It’s imperative that developers in this space keep up with the latest trends and rapidly become efficient at implementing them. We understand the importance and urgency that often come with business augmentation. Whether you’re a fast-growing startup or a large enterprise organization looking to add new capabilities to your fold, consider working with us.

Of course, you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out our portfolio! We’ve worked on everything from cardiac arrest emergency protocols and mobile education technology to apps for better road trips and sleep. Our varied array of work experience, dedication, and proven track record of happy clients are why leading organizations such as Google, YouTube, The United Nations, Lexus, and RedBull have chosen to work with us.

Landing on TopDevelopers.co’s list of top IoT app developers is no easy feat. They meticulously evaluate numerous organizations in this field across the world, not just in our hometown of Los Angeles or even the United States. After narrowing down their list, they trim it even further by examining the experience of every candidate and their history of consistent client satisfaction. With all that said, it’s an amazing honor to make the cut!

Besides being dubbed a top wearable app developer, Dogtown Media was also recently named a top U.S. mobile app developer by TopDevelopers.co. We were also fortunate to be lauded as one of California’s leading app developers by Clutch!

Thanks so much to TopDevelopers.co for recognizing our work. And thanks to our clients, team, and community as well. We often say, “If you can dream it, we can build it!” But you’re really the ones who make this mantra possible.

Who is TopDevelopers.co?

TopDevelopers.co is a widely respected directory and review platform for B2B IT service providers. They take a neutral approach to analyzing companies. The team of analysts at TopDevelopers.co vets organizations through stringent parameters which ensure that only the most competitive firms, businesses, enterprises, and entrepreneurs are filtered through their process. This helps service seekers find the most appropriate solutions for their needs.

Over the past few years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has rapidly grown in numerous industries due to the immense benefits it offers. But many organizations still don’t know where to begin when it comes to their own IoT development endeavors. To clear up any confusion around this topic, we’ve decided to write about it!

Welcome to the second chapter of our two-part series on the essential components of a successful IoT ecosystem. In our previous post, we delved into what an IoT ecosystem actually is and the crucial role that embedded elements like sensors and actuators play in them. In case you missed it, you can catch up here.

In this article, we’ll cover connectivity, the cloud, data analytics, and end-user devices. Ready to begin? Let’s jump right in!

Connectivity

Numerous components comprise an IoT ecosystem. With interconnectivity, these elements are able to work with each other to decipher data and implement meaningful actions. Essentially, connectivity enables an IoT ecosystem to become greater than the sum of its parts. We can break connectivity down into two puzzle pieces: protocols and gateways.

IoT Protocols

As we discussed in our previous post for this series, sensors collect data. But after that, this information needs a medium to get where it needs to go. Put another way, IoT ecosystems require a communication channel between its sensors and the cloud. This is where IoT protocols come in.

Using an “invisible” language, IoT protocols transfer data online between two connected devices. They basically allow physical objects to “speak” to one another.

Power consumption, range, bandwidth, and data transmission should all factor into your choice of network protocol. Popular options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DDS, cellular, ZigBee, and MQTT. These channels make information exchange in your IoT ecosystem seamless and secure.

IoT Gateways

To reach the cloud, the incoming raw data collected by the sensors must pass through a gateway. Remember that “invisible” language we mentioned earlier? Gateways translate network protocols so that all devices within the network can communicate efficiently. They’re an integral communication point and make data traffic management much easier.

Gateways also provide a much-needed layer of security by protecting the IoT ecosystem from unauthorized access. All of the information that flows through a gateway is protected by the latest encryption standards.

As if these capabilities weren’t enough, gateways also preprocess sensor data before transferring it to the cloud. New IoT gateways even have the ability to analyze and minimize sensor information so that the cloud only receives what’s relevant.

The Cloud

Think of the cloud as the place that ties all of your IoT ecosystem components together. A large chunk of your information processing, including data handling, storing, and even decision-making, take place in the cloud. This is even more amazing when you consider that the cloud does all of this for gargantuan amounts of information in a few milliseconds.

Time is a critical factor for IoT, especially for real-time systems being used in healthcare and safety. This means latency cannot be compromised. Thanks to enormous computing power, vast storage capabilities, and myriad networking options, cloud systems are able to cater to an IoT system’s time-sensitive needs while handling a ton of data. In essence, they form the brain of an IoT ecosystem.

It’s worth noting that the cloud isn’t always necessary for IoT; edge computing is a viable option as well. But the cloud is usually preferred due to its high performance, simple scalability, and cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, edge computing may be favored if your IoT initiative requires large amounts of data processing and storage on-premises.

IoT Data Management

Data is the lifeblood of your IoT system. But without proper management and analytics, you can’t make sense of the large amounts of information you’re collecting. Whether you want to hone in on key performance indicators of your system or identify errors in real-time, data management and analytics are a must.

Analytics revolves around converting the raw data of your IoT system into intelligent insights that can be leveraged to make better decisions. Unsurprisingly, this capability is useful in multiple situations; measuring a facility’s temperature or an equipment failure rate are both common scenarios.

Data management and analytics need robust computing power and storage to make sense of an IoT system’s information. But it’s well worth the investment since they help determine vital business insights, predict trends, and drive better efficiency. Many of the tasks involved in analytics can possibly be hosted on the cloud. This will ultimately depend on your IoT architecture.

End-User Devices

End-user devices provide an easily accessible interface that people can use to control various components of the IoT ecosystem. Basically, this is where users can set their preferences for the system. And the more user-friendly the interface is, the easier it is to interact with.

When it comes to the actual interaction, users usually have a couple of options: either interact with the device itself or do so remotely via other devices such as smartphones or tablets. An example of this would be the smart home devices developed by Seattle-based Amazon; these allow users to seamlessly communicate with a variety of “things.”

Design is key here. IoT devices can easily set themselves apart from competitors with better user interfaces. Colors, font, voice, and menus all play important factors here. Just remember that the goal is to remove as much friction as possible.

Time to Get Your IoT Ecosystem off the Ground!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this series on the essential components of an IoT ecosystem. These systems, as well as their use cases, are constantly evolving. And mechanisms can differ depending on industry use cases and budget. But each of the components we discussed usually remains the same.

Are you working on building out an IoT ecosystem or initiative right now? Let us know about it in the comments below!

By now, everyone has heard of the Internet of Things (IoT). Since its rapid rise in the tech industry a few years ago, IoT development has become an essential part of nearly every vertical and niche. In fact, we’re on track to having 21.5 billion IoT devices connected by 2025. This isn’t so surprising when you consider that IoT can be integrated into everything from home appliances to children’s toys to automated industrial equipment.

Consumer demands are only shifting more towards smart, connected products. Look no further than smartwatches, electronic door locks, robot vacuums, and GPS-enabled pet collars to see evidence of this. It’s really no wonder why; connecting these assets to the Internet offers them more capabilities and opportunities for better efficiency.

But we must remember that IoT operates on a vast network comprised of various components that work together to form a cohesive data ecosystem. Understanding the factors at play here, such as how data is collected, devices are connected, and autonomous actions are implemented, is vital to comprehending how IoT works.

In the first chapter of this special two-part series, we’ll delve into the basic definition of an IoT ecosystem and the first component you need to make your own IoT system succeed.

Wait, What’s an IoT Ecosystem?

Regardless of the objective, you can always break down an IoT system into two elements: the object you intend to make intelligent and the embedded system that provides the connectivity to do so. It may sound simple, but things become drastically more complex when we examine the second part.

Sensors, actuators, data management, and more all play an integral role in making your embedded system function. They are what actually enable your object to be programmable and capable of interaction with assets or humans. To understand this better, let’s take the connected doorbell for example.

Connected doorbells can detect a visitor at your door, even if he or she hasn’t rung your bell. It then displays this data in video or voice format. This elegant solution needs multiple components. Once the visitor is detected, information must be interpreted, sent, and communicated to the user. Keep in mind that this doesn’t even consider the ability to open the lock remotely.

As different use cases are constructed, the definition of what constitutes an IoT ecosystem is greatly expanding. Any ingredient that’s involved in connected organizations or users to their devices would fall into this category. And besides the visible elements like hardware or user interfaces, “invisible” components such as software or storage must also be accounted for.

Embedded Components

Whether you’re running a manufacturing facility outside of Dallas, Texas, or launching a new tech toy across the United States, sensors and actuators form the backbone of your IoT ecosystem. Data is the oil of every IoT machine, and these two tools allow you to attain accurate, credible information.

Sensors

Sometimes called “detectors,” sensors capture the slightest changes in your environment. As a result, sensors shine a light on relevant aspects needed to improve your system in real-time or later down the line in post-processing.

Sensors may be small pieces of hardware, but don’t underestimate their benefits. They can gather information on factors like temperature, pressure, moisture, motion, and more. It’s not unusual for an IoT device to employ various types of sensors to collect a wide range of data. This usually allows the device to perform multiple functions.

For instance, our smartphones are capable of motion detection, GPS location, fingerprint recognition, and camera features. And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Another prime example is smart ACs or thermostat controls; these can sense both temperature and humidity simultaneously. Since different applications strive to accomplish different objectives, each one will use a different group of sensors.

To achieve automation based on specific triggers, sensors are essential. Let’s revisit our smart AC example to see why. Let’s say a user sets their automated room temperature to stay between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When the room’s temperature goes over 75 degrees, the sensor will pick this up and trigger the AC system to cool it down. If the room drops below 70 degrees, the sensor will “tell” the AC via a transmitter to heat up the room so it falls back in the appropriate range.

Perhaps the best part of sensors is that they are now extremely affordable and smaller than ever before thanks to vast advancements in technology.

Actuators

Think of actuators as the opposite of sensors. Just as the word “sensors” implies that they sense, “actuators” act! When they receive a signal, they cause an action. Basically, once a sensor detects an environmental change, it’s up to the actuator to make the appropriate response occur.

For smart ACs, actuators are the components actually controlling the heating and cooling. If a person exits this smart-controlled environment or it reaches a satisfactory temperature, the sensor will then trigger the actuator to stop the airflow.

Just as with sensors, there are various types of actuators to use, depending on your unique situation. Besides turning something on or off, they can also control valves or implement actions such as gripping or turning — both of which are crucial actions for numerous industrial applications.

Stay Tuned for the Next 4 Components

Did you enjoy the first chapter in our “Essential IoT Components” series? If so, then stay tuned! In a blog post next week, we’ll round out this series with the final four components you need to make your IoT system a success.

In the meantime, let us know in the comments how you utilize IoT in your day-to-day or business operations!

As the old adage goes, maintenance is always better than repair. By preventing equipment failure through early maintenance, rather than late repairs, operations downtime will become a thing of the past. Best of all, your bottom line won’t be impacted by in-house machinery lapses.

IoT applications can be used to analyze data related to your machines, like temperature, room humidity, usage, power cycle history, engine speeds, pressure, and more. When your IoT system knows what “normal” data looks like, it can quickly alert you of abnormal data points, allowing you to take the appropriate measures to ensure your equipment continues to function as it should.

This article provides a short overview of how IoT enables unparalleled predictive maintenance for industrial processes and enterprise operations.

Predictive vs. Preventative Maintenance

Before IoT, machine operators and mechanics would maintain machines at regular intervals. This usually resulted in them either not having enough to do or having too much to do in one visit. In fact, experts estimate that half of all manually-scheduled maintenance is futile. It wastes time, resources, and efforts of multiple parties, and that obviously takes a toll on productivity.

IoT helps companies streamline maintenance schedules, monitor machinery conditions on the production line, and harvest data in real-time, which lets companies maximize their output, lower overall costs, and work on improving their products.

Preventative maintenance relies on visually inspecting machinery in addition to routine checks into the machine’s health, and it offers a limited view into the inner workings of the machine. It helps engineers pinpoint what already malfunctioned, but it doesn’t help narrow down what may malfunction next.

With predictive maintenance, an analytical approach is employed to compare historical data to real-time data. This helps IoT software find when a machine’s output has slowly decreased or if the machine is overheating more often than usual, for example.

Setting Up Predictive Maintenance

There are several essential parts of a working predictive maintenance solution. This includes sensors that collect data, a data transfer mechanism that helps data move from the machinery to a secured data storage system, a data storage system that organizes and stores information, and a predictive data engine that uses machine learning applications to transform the raw generated data into actionable analysis for the machine operator. Lastly, root cause analysis is needed for specialists and engineers to investigate the issue and determine what action to take afterward.

In short, the more data your company has to work with, the faster it can get up and running on machinery predictive maintenance. For the most effective predictive maintenance system, assess what failure means for each machine or equipment. This includes sensor data, manufacturing assets, predictive analytics, communication procedures, and dashboard alerts.

Set up a visual system so engineers can take a quick glance at the production line to check on the machines. This type of visualization should include dashboards, data flow, and the logic of the system. This way, there are no discrepancies between engineers and the systems administrator on how the controls logic is set up.

Working with Predictive Maintenance

When companies begin using predictive maintenance, they see two major benefits almost immediately. First, machine downtime is reduced, which has led to a 20-50% reduction in maintenance time and a 5-10% reduction in maintenance costs. Second, unnecessary maintenance flies out the window, extending the overall life of the machine.

Since this technology has been out for a few years, manufacturing companies have found inventive ways of using it, from implementing it throughout an entire factory to monitoring a single but critical equipment part. Businesses that make products on a mass scale, like toys or food, can reduce product defects and save more supplies with predictive maintenance.

This method of optimizing business resources is becoming known as “Quality 4.0”, in line with the “Industry 4.0” that IoT ushered in.

Industry Best Practices for Predictive Maintenance

Two common approaches to predictive maintenance are rule-based and machine learning (ML). In rule-based monitoring, sensors collect and aggregate data about equipment, sending alerts based on predefined thresholds. In this method, production, engineering, and customer service teams must work closely together to understand the factors and causes that could lead to machine failure.

Once the causes and factors have been mapped out, a virtual model of the system can be built, helping all teams visually understand how the IoT system reads the machine’s behaviors. Although this approach is helpful, it relies on the understanding of which environmental and mechanical occurrences have to be monitored.

The second method, ML, can add a layer of automation to an IoT system’s model of predictive maintenance. Although this approach is still relatively new, many companies globally have benefitted enormously from using ML. This technology helps users understand and analyze more data than they normally would, which lets them develop accurate actionable insights that can maintain production levels with ease.

ML also provides flexibility for engineers by giving the option of running ML algorithms supervised or unsupervised. Engineers can place some machines on supervised while others can be unsupervised, which truly optimizes maintenance.

Remember: Maintenance Is Better Than Repair

IoT is helping businesses from Beijing to New York improve their bottom lines in more ways than one. As businesses begin to adapt an Industry 4.0 approach to their operations, IoT continues to provide solutions more creative and flexible than we previously thought possible.

Does your company use IoT in conjunction with rules-based or ML-enabled predictive maintenance? Is this something you’re interested in implementing? As always, let us know in the comments below!

Across the globe, the coronavirus crisis has halted business operations of all shapes and sizes. But in these difficult times, sectors deemed essential such as construction have soldiered on. Perhaps more surprisingly, COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in this industry.

Thanks to IoT development, construction job sites are being reimagined from the ground up — and many of these changes are here to stay even after the coronavirus outbreak is contained. With capabilities like real-time tracking and monitoring, IoT is opening up a wealth of possibilities for contractors to leverage other technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Let’s explore how this industry has embraced IoT in the era of COVID-19.

1. Contact Tracing

For the majority of the world, social distancing is the main method people employ to keep COVID-19 at bay. But in the construction industry, close collaboration is often required during day-to-day operations. To improve worker safety, many construction companies are socially distancing where they can and utilizing contact tracing as well.

Essentially, IoT devices are mounted to a worker’s hardhat and communicate with other sensors in range to monitor and detect close interactions. These types of systems can collect data and even alert workers when their proximity is too close to one another. Things get even more interesting with the application of AI.

With thermal cameras, IoT systems can capture workers’ heat profiles. From there, an AI agent acting as a virtual safety inspector can help ensure that appropriate distances are maintained between people. Alongside Bluetooth-based tracking technology, this is being employed to contact trace assets and individuals in areas such as construction sites, factories, and hospitals.

2. Project Management and Inspection

In an ideal scenario, engineers and technicians usually visit construction sites and factories in-person to ensure that projects are proceeding according to plan. But during the era of the coronavirus, this can compromise social distancing measures and facilitate the spread of the illness. Flying an inspector from an NYC development site to one in Houston and to another in Los Angeles isn’t the most prudent idea these days. Besides this, the myriad safety changes brought about by COVID-19 means it would take much more time and effort than before to perform on-site inspections.

To simplify things, an on-site employee can capture images and videos with a 360-degree camera and share them with team members and regulators. Inexpensive streaming options such as FaceTime, Google Duo, and Zoom offer an easy way to start.

For more sophisticated projects, IoT sensors and augmented reality can be used by experts to provide remote guidance. Both technologies are already used to reduce downtime via predictive maintenance, so expanding it to this use case isn’t too far of a stretch.

3. Moving Supply Chains Off-Site

With COVID-19 in the picture, many construction companies have moved to off-site methods in an effort to enhance worker safety. And supply chains are no exception in this regard. Contractors are not only pushing for more fabrication off-site, but manufacturers are also expanding their array of prefabricated assemblies.

It’s actually surprising this wasn’t done sooner — the efficiency and controlled environment of factory lines equal savings in labor costs and shorter on-site schedules. IoT technology is playing a pivotal role in these operations to ensure high-quality production and on-time delivery of assets.

4. Safer Construction Sites

As we noted earlier, IoT is being deployed on some job sites to monitor body temperatures via thermal cameras. Some projects are even equipping drones with IoT devices to spray disinfectants. While all of this occurs, the IoT sensors are relaying information to primary stakeholders so they can make high-level decisions efficiently and effectively.

If sites are employing the strategies discussed in this article and have rock-solid plans to maintain social distancing, they’re being allowed to reopen. Automated handwashing stations that are monitored and cleaned regularly are not out of the ordinary today. Some sites are also considering the installation of temperature checking equipment in restrooms.

5. Working From Home

Outside of the construction sites, COVID-19 has caused many offices in this industry to work remotely. As is the case for many industries, this means that office employees are heavily relying on tech such as video conferencing, emailing, and texting to get their jobs done.

But because construction jobs depend on tangible results, IoT is even more integral for office employees in this sector. Thanks to this technology, they’re able to monitor supply chain logistics, inspect sites, and ensure the safety of on-site workers. In fact, many workers in this field are finding that IoT provides a more accurate, efficient avenue for updates than the status quo before COVID-19.

Adopting IoT Is the Way Forward for Many Industries

We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into how the construction industry is adapting to the times with IoT. The WHO and other leading health organizations believe that outbreaks like COVID-19 may never completely disappear; they may come in waves for the foreseeable future.

Being prudent and adapting to the times now can not only help support the productivity of your remote employees but protect their health as well. Many of the examples we’ve discussed can be adapted to various industries. All it takes is some ingenuity.

How has COVID-19 changed the way you work? Are you utilizing emerging technologies like AI and IoT to get the job done? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

The coronavirus pandemic has brought times of uncertainty to every industry. Consequently, several companies are choosing to eschew long-term investments in favor of short-term gains. In technology, this has manifested in numerous organizations halting their 5G plans.

But businesses looking to secure themselves a place in the future shouldn’t just stand idly by. A myriad of operational efficiencies and new opportunities await early 5G innovators. The next generation of cellular technology will bring about numerous benefits for the Internet of Things (IoT): better maintenance, reduced downtime, and more robust data analysis name just a few advantages.

Want to kick your IoT development endeavors into high-gear? Then 5G is a necessity. Here’s how to get your IoT initiatives ready for 5G.

Design for Low-Power Wide-Area Networks

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a group of standards organizations that develop protocols for mobile telecommunications. To 3GPP, the future of mobile IoT lies in Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) networks. As their name implies, LPWA networks are intended to support applications and devices that are low cost, require low data rates, need long battery life, and can operate in remote locations.

LPWA networks play an integral role in connecting billions of devices to mobile IoT. Without them, only major metropolises with built-up infrastructures (e.g., Los Angeles, New York City, Beijing) could support the widespread use of this emerging technology. Besides this, LPWA networks also support a diverse array of operations across various sectors.

NB-IoT and LTE-M are the two most commonly deployed formats of mobile IoT networks. Their vast coverage range and low power consumption make both options impressive avenues to deploy your IoT product. Devices connected over either format can easily have a battery life of over 10 years.

Both NB-IoT and LTE-M have been accepted as 5G standards. The eventual objective is to have both supported by the 5G core network so they can facilitate the usage of new radio frequency bands.

Pick Which Tech Suits Your IoT Application Best

If you’re having trouble deciding between NB-IoT and LTE-M, don’t fret. Learning more about each one can elucidate the correct solution for your needs.

NB-IoT

NB-IoT stands for Narrowband-IoT. This technology minimizes connected device power consumption while optimizing system capacity and cell range. As the name implies, NB-IoT leverages only a narrow sliver of the total bandwidth projected from cell towers. It’s perfect for regions that don’t have great LTE coverage or applications that only need to transfer small amounts of data.

To extend coverage to regions with poor coverage while enabling low device complexity, NB-IoT employs much simpler technology than GSM/GPRS modules. It is also supported by all major mobile equipment manufacturers and already co-exists with 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile networks. The cost of comparable NB-IoT modules is actually expected to decrease as demand increases.

LTE-M

LTE-M stands for Long Term Evolution for Machines. Like NB-IoT, LTE-M can support IoT deployment with lower device complexity, less power consumption, and extended coverage range. It is also supported by all major mobile equipment manufacturers and co-exists with 2G, 3G, and 4G.

So, what’s the difference between LTE-M and NB-IoT? To answer that, we must examine your targeted application. Because it excels in applications that require only small amounts of data transfer, NB-IoT is great for static smart meter and sensor deployments.

On the other hand, if your deployment is literally mobile (e.g., you’re tracking moving vehicles), then LTE-M may be the way to go. It has far greater available bandwidth than NB-IoT. This means it can support more data-intensive applications, such as transferring large files. LTE-M also supports Voice over LTE (VoLTE).

Just in the first quarter of 2020, 107 NB-IoT and 45 LTE-M networks have been deployed commercially.

Don’t Forget to Account for Edge Computing

The choice of network technology is obviously an important factor for your IoT deployment. But it certainly isn’t the only aspect that determines the long-term viability of your project. It’s imperative that you also consider the types of devices you decide to deploy with.

In the future, everything regarding IoT technology will start at the edge. In edge computing, the devices themselves carry out the computation and analysis. By planning to utilize this paradigm now, you can get ahead of the competition. Unfortunately, many IoT platform providers undervalue the potential of edge computing.

But, in truth, edge computing brings as many benefits to the table as your network selection does. With optimized speed and performance and the ability to automate operations, it can dramatically simplify your design, deployment, and management of IoT initiatives. And this can make the difference between cost-effective scaling of massive deployments and endeavors that fall to the wayside.

Innovate IoT’s Future Today

We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief overview of how to simplify your IoT deployment on 5G. By making the right decisions for your IoT initiatives, you can minimize your investment risk, simplify the deployment, and set yourself up for seamless scaling.

It can be difficult to plan your IoT strategy during these uncertain times. But organizations that do will quickly reap the rewards and outpace the competition. So don’t wait. Plan for a brighter future today!

The IoT market is forecasted to reach $922.62 billion by 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing emerging technologies. Due to this rapid growth, many experts worry that we’re overlooking strong cybersecurity protocols and standards by only paying attention to the myriad benefits and potential of IIoT.

The Far-Reaching Consequences of Poor Security

For many IoT app developers, security is usually an afterthought. Even worse, sometimes it gets lost in the shuffle of development, only to be remembered at the end of the project, when the time and budget has run dry.

There are no real, published, official security standards that developers and industries must operate by. Security frameworks simply aren’t accommodating emerging technology fast enough. And no one has settled on an agreement for a minimum protocol of best practices for cybersecurity in their IoT applications.

This means device manufacturers have to layer some sort of security into their physical products, and this, of course, will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some may even circumvent the hassle by not providing any sort of security or encryption. When an organization utilizes devices with no security software, it’s extremely difficult to add encryption and security afterward. What’s worse is that, once devices leave the manufacturing plant, they aren’t updated with the newest security patches, leaving them extremely vulnerable to malicious attacks.

For many organizations utilizing IoT, this isn’t a big deal until a data breach occurs, a hack prevents operations from running smoothly, or until customers and the bottom line are directly affected. For IIoT, however, these consequences could result in power outages for entire regions, causing chaos and disrupting many public necessities, like hospital communications systems.

When implemented poorly, both IoT and IIoT can have disastrous and unnecessary effects.

The Compounding Effect

Organizations utilizing poorly-secured devices start creating a compounded problem for themselves and their end-users. Devices layered on top of sensors, with physical products and software on top of everything else, all become inundated with subpar security due to a lack of strong security on every level of the IoT or IIoT system.

When a system grows in complexity (i.e. multiple sensor types, multiple product types, multiple warehouses, multiple software systems to accommodate everything), it makes even an in-house IT security team’s job difficult. IIoT systems, as they are, are already dynamic, diverse, and independent, and keeping inventory of every interaction and process is extremely cumbersome, especially as the system keeps evolving.

Monitoring and managing these components without transparency, control, and access over every single element at any given time becomes next to impossible. Often, an organization will layer an entire IIoT system over its outdated infrastructure and equipment, which further muddles the task for an IT department.

Addressing the Foundational Problems

Another looming issue affecting every organization that utilized any form of IoT is the lack of IoT security knowledge and awareness. Due to no published standards or laws to abide by, there isn’t much of a talent pool to hire from.

Besides that, most organizations don’t even really know what they’re looking for when they do understand that they need to work to mitigate the exposure and risk of a hacking attempt. They don’t know what to look for when building their IIoT security infrastructure and strategy, and they certainly don’t know how to maintain it when it’s built.

Experts recommend using a managed security service provider (MSSP) to work through the security foundation and long-term strategy. An MSSP will have the expertise, experience, and continuous knowledge to manage a complex IIoT system. Since IIoT devices have different deployment conditions, networking needs, and application requirements than a regular IoT system, a dedicated team will spend budget in the most efficient way.

Most MSSPs have also developed best practices from experience and networking internationally with other MSSPs, giving you the best bang for your buck in both preventative maintenance and on-demand needs.

But it’s not enough to simply hire an MSSP. The organization must carefully vet the experts that the MSSP brings on board, taking into account their services, expertise, resources, and guarantees. An MSSP that requires continuing education for their employees, offers cutting-edge security knowledge, includes data correlation and dashboards to track security threats in real-time, and also returns a customized solution for your enterprise is the best partner to pair up with.

IoT Security Is a Team Effort

Of course, the organization’s leadership must understand the importance of keeping security procedures and policies up-to-date, using assessments and audits regularly to revisit what needs improvement and optimization. Whether or not it’s a new implementation of an IIoT system, cybersecurity should be at the core and foundation of all IIoT systems.

It’s important that your IoT systems developer also takes security seriously. An MSSP might be seen as a band-aid or be a part of an organization’s post-implementation plan, but as we’ve discussed, security standards start at the root of the IoT system. At our studio’s Los Angeles headquarters, our IoT developers are trained to prioritize cybersecurity as a top need for all implementations. Your organization should settle for nothing less.

Internet of Things (IoT) applications are so encompassing that they work in the background where we can’t see them, using devices that many of us already own, like smartwatches and smart home appliances.

But industrial IoT (IIoT) is a different breed of technology that will truly be all-encompassing: It will track materials from the source to the customer’s doorstep, monitor machine wear and tear, and ensure city grids have 24/7 uptime for their residents. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Welcome back to our “What’s Industrial IoT” series! In our first post, we covered what IIoT is, how it works, and its benefits. In case you missed it, you can check it out here. In this entry, we’ll discuss how IoT differs from IIoT, which areas will see IIoT proliferate and flourish, which companies will drive the most innovation in IIoT in the coming years, and what the future holds for IIoT technology overall.

IoT versus IIoT

So far, IIoT sounds like a beefed-up version of IoT. But even with the smart machines, smart devices, and edge computing, IIoT and IoT differ on a fundamental level: their purpose.

IoT applications bridge connections between devices across several verticals, like agriculture, healthcare, enterprise, cities, and more. IoT devices encompass fitness trackers, smart home appliances, cars, and other consumer-focused devices.

In IIoT, connections are developed between machines and devices in large industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, and utilities. When an IIoT system fails or faces downtime, it has real life-or-death consequences, like loss of power to hospitals and transit systems. IIoT applications are geared towards improving health and safety, while IoT applications are focused more on the customer and user.

Innovative IIoT Applications

IIoT applications are globally developed and sold to other worldwide industries, creating an international ecosystem of stable, valuable IIoT applications. Let’s take a look at some of the many innovations occurring in this fast-paced sector.

Airbus, a commercial jetliner designer and manufacturer, has launched “the factory of the future”. Their factory streamlines operations, improves production rates, and integrates seamlessly with employees’ wearable tech. Smart glasses are integrated with machines’ and tools’ sensors on the shop floor, and Airbus has seen a decrease in errors and an improvement in workplace safety as a result.

Japanese robotics manufacturer Fanuc is adding sensors to its robotics; the company is also integrating their robotics with cloud-based data analytics software to predict component failure in its robots before it happens. The plant manager simply needs to schedule maintenance at a time that’s convenient for him or her, which reduces costs, improves employee scheduling, and prevents downtime.

Boston-based Embue is a real estate organization that’s using IIoT to build smart buildings. Building owners and managers can get an idea of the building’s status at any time using data from on-site equipment and indoor sensors. The buildings’ residents also benefit from this IIoT application: they get an Embue thermostat, leak detector, sensor, shut-off valve controller, smart controller, smart core, and a smart wall outlet.

Austrian company Magna Steyr, an automotive manufacturer, is using IIoT to track assets like vehicle parts and tools. They’re also using asset tracking to order more inventory as needed — automatically. Additionally, the company is implementing “smart packaging” with Bluetooth integration in a test run to track components and parts in their warehouses.

Meanwhile, ABB, a robotics and power firm based in Switzerland, deployed IIoT with smart robotics, using connected sensors. These sensors monitor robots for maintenance needs, prompting stakeholders to perform repairs before parts were forecasted to break.

IIoT’s Major Players

IIoT has a host of companies that are driving research, innovation, and optimization in its earliest days. These players include well-known companies, and they encompass a global network. Besides the innovators we’ve discussed above, here are the other big names in IIoT you should be familiar with.

Cisco has a product called IoT System that connects devices, secures systems, and helps with data management. Similarly, MindSphere by Siemens is a cloud-based open-source operating system for IIoT applications.

GE Digital developed an IIoT application called Predix, which connects, optimizes, and scales IIoT systems.

Connected Performance Services by Honeywell introduces AI and machine learning into an IIoT system’s data analytics suite.

Fanuc created FIELD, which stands for FANUC Intelligent Edge Link & Drive. It seamlessly connects machines to the IIoT system, and it doesn’t matter if the machines are from different generations or different manufacturers. This product affords strong flexibility in any IIoT system, making it extremely valuable.

And last but certainly not least, Connyun is an IIoT product by German company Kuka that develops future-proof IIoT applications.

The future of IIoT

IIoT is expected to boom for the next few decades, and its growth rate will peak when 5G, AI, and edge computing are added to IIoT systems. According to consulting firm Accenture, IIoT added $14.2 trillion to the global economy in 2018, growing at a 7.3% compound annual growth rate through 2020.

Industry and manufacturing companies have been steadily investing more and more budget into improving and upgrading their IoT applications to become IIoT systems; a report by Boston-based IDC Research shows the top three industries that invested in IIoT in 2018 were manufacturing ($189 billion), transportation ($85 billion), and utilities ($73 billion). Consumer IoT spending reached $62 billion overall that year.

There’s no stopping IIoT now, and we wouldn’t even dream of it. With IIoT, the consumer’s quality of life is expected to improve; businesses will also see an inordinate amount of savings.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this series on Industrial IoT! What’s your favorite aspect of this burgeoning industry and technology? Where do you think it will go in the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!