How to keep the Internet of Things under control

In theory, the IoT will function smoothly as it grows over time. People will eventually get used to living in a fully connected world where everything they use has some connection to the web. That’s all good in theory, but in practice, getting the IoT to reach its full potential is proving to be an enormous challenge.

At this point, it’s a bit difficult to fathom the sheer scale of the Internet of Things (IoT) once it gets fully up and running in the next few years. The number of devices alone dwarfs the amount we have already. According to research from IDC, a stunning 80 billion devices will be connected to the web by the year 2025. And today the number doesn’t exceed 11 billion.

To put that in a different perspective, IDC says that by 2025 more than 150,000 new devices will connect to the web every single minute. Based on these numbers, it’s easy to see the IoT’s potential, but equally worth noting is the amount of data the Internet of Things will generate and store. At the moment, the world generates around 10 zettabytes of digital data every year. That number is expected to hit 180 zettabytes within ten years. That’s a lot of information. The IoT concept is growing at an incredible pace, and it’s easy to see how things could get out of control.

Internet of Things: Theory vs. practice

In theory, the IoT will function smoothly as it grows over time. People will eventually get used to living in a fully connected world where everything they use has some connection to the web. That’s all good in theory, but in practice, getting the IoT to reach its full potential is proving to be an enormous challenge. The current networks and systems we have will simply become inadequate to handle the flood of new data being generated by billions of new devices. But businesses aren’t going to let those limitations stop them from creating new IoT products. They see the money to be made in a new market, leading to innovative new gadgets with internet-related capabilities. Keeping up with this means keeping the IoT under control as much as possible.

To do so, new types of technologies and techniques will need to be adopted. The current preferred method of storing, analyzing, and transferring data simply won’t cut it the bigger the Internet of Things gets. Now, most devices use a connection to the cloud in order to transmit and access any data they need in order to function. Connecting to the cloud means accessing a server through the internet, but as the amount of data grows exponentially, doing it this way will quickly become detrimental to peak IoT performance. That requires a change in strategy, and most experts agree this will come in the form of processing and storing data at local level.

Keeping things local

Keeping things local means having a decentralized approach to data processing. Not only does this cut down on the amount of bandwidth needed for data to move from one point to another, but it also decreases latency and keeps everything close to the source where data was originally generated. Industrial plants will want to know precisely how machines and equipment are operating without any delays. Healthcare institutions will want help with diagnoses while keeping their data safer and more secure by being nearby. By analyzing this information locally, organizations will get faster results and devices will be able to deliver performance more efficiently.

The IoT and how USe in ARM

 What is the Internet of Things?

The idea behind IoT is to create a home where everything is connected to the internet, creating “swarm intelligence” from individually dumb devices. Bins, toasters, washing machines and lights will be able to talk to each other for automatic, more efficient control and monitoring.
But IoT also describes the use of sensors and smart devices in the wider environment to automate processes and give information to human operators, such as roads that alert drivers to spots of black ice or recycling bins that tell the council when to pick them up.

What sort of things can can you get?

IoT is still in its infancy, but there is a small collection of consumer devices and a few commercial devices that actually link into the wider world.
The best known IoT devices are smart thermostats, such as Nest’s Learning Thermostat, and lighting systems, of which Philips Hue and Lightwave RF are the best known in the UK.
Other devices include electronic locks, home-security cameras, various sensors for temperature, humidity, water, motion and open or close states. Various smart plug sockets are also available that allows users to turn lamps and other non-smart devices on and off remotely.
The internet fridge was always the poster child of IoT, but home appliances are only starting to be available with IoT built in. Smartwashers, driers, dishwashers, bathroom scales, robot vacuum cleaners, fans and, yes, fridges, are starting to come to market that can talk to each other and to the owner.

What can you do with IoT?

Broadly speaking, IoT devices fall into two categories: true consumer devices and DIY automation systems.
Smart-thermostats, cameras, scales, gadgets to help you sleep and other devices, which are easy to install and use either in isolation or together with other bits through an app or syncing service, are commonly available through traditional retailers.

But with various sensors and interconnected systems available, much more advanced setups can be built using more specialist equipment and universal protocols such as Z-wave or ZigBee, which allow disparate devices to communicate wirelessly without Wi-Fi or the internet. Almost anything from IoT security systems to automatic lighting, advanced power management and status monitoring, from bins to pantries, can be created, although some need the skills of an electrician and coders.

Who are the big players?

The biggest brands in the consumer IoT space include Samsung, with appliances and its SmartThings IoT hub, Alphabet’s Nest, Google and Amazon, whose IoT Echo speaker – which is capable of commanding other devices via voice – has proved popular in the US.
Behind many of these devices, however, are low-power chip makers and embedded operating system vendors. Google’s Brillo, for instance, is a cut-down version of Android for IoT devices, while low-power processors built using ARM designs are popular because of their electrical efficiency.

What are the challenges facing IoT?

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While many connected devices are available to buy, not many of them can actually talk to devices made by other brands, and when they do their interaction is limited. Each device comes with its own smartphone app, rather than there being one to control them all. Companies such as Google, Nest, Apple and Samsung are attempting to provide a bridge between devices, but a unified system is sorely needed.
There is also the challenge of privacy and security. IoT devices that were originally conceived to be used in isolation or within the home without connecting to the internet are now being exposed to the wider world and can be ripe for criminal attack.
If appropriate security measures are not taken, a hacker who gains access to the data flowing around your home could turn the sensors and appliances into snooping devices.

What’s ARM’s link to it?

ARM Holdings is a designer of mobile and low-power chips that can be found in devices such as smartphones, smartTVs, smartwatches, tablets and various other computing devices. These chips can also be found in many of the IoT devices, the servers that connect them to the wider internet and the devices used to control them.
ARM doesn’t actually fabricate the processors, but its designs are used by companies all over the globe, including Apple, Samsung and Qualcomm, and used to drive devices all over the home and in the wider world. As the IoT expands, the demand for low-power chips is only likely to increase.

Source: theguardian.com

Stocks to Invest in the Internet of Things

 

Image source: Getty Images.

 

If the Internet of Things progresses as many are expecting, trillions of dollars in value will be up for grabs over the next decade, and the companies that take advantage of and facilitate the shift are positioned for huge benefits. A survey from research company Gartner found that the number of organizations using IoT data will increase by roughly 50% in 2016, and that 43% of the organizations in its survey had already used or planned to use IoT connections and data this year. With far-reaching potential and applications across industries, most companies will soon have some connection to the Internet of Things.
To get an idea of which stocks could be lifted by the rising tech trend based on machine-to-machine connectivity we asked three fool.com contributors to spotlight a company that might help investors ride the IoT wave.
Daniel B. Kline: When you think of IoT, IBM (NYSE:IBM) may not be the first brand to come to mind, but the company has been quietly making big waves in the space for quite a while. Through its Watson platform, IBM has been working with partners to make smarter connected products.
That may not be the broad play some companies are making in the space, but it's one that can be heavily monetized. IBM licenses its technology, and Watson has built up a powerful brand name. It's a platform that can use data collected by IoT devices to help partners make better decisions. IBM explained it as follows on the Watson IoT website:

Gain insight from huge volumes of IoT data to make better decisions and optimize operations. Apply real-time analytics to monitor current conditions and respond accordingly. Leverage cognitive analytics with both structured and unstructured data to understand situations, reason through options and learn as conditions change.

To put that into more simple terms, Watson could help connected products be even more intuitive. Instead of a high-end medical device, say an MRI machine, merely using the IoT to order its own repairs when needed, Watson can help figure out exactly what it needs in advance.
IBM is not taking the front door into the IoT, but it's positioning itself to offer a solution that can work across multiple platforms and ecosystems. It's a smart play by the company that has already paid off with a number of partnerships that should only grow going forward.
Brian Feroldi: If predictions about the IoT come to fruition, then demand for specialized semiconductor chips is likely to grow significantly from here. That plays right into the hands of Skyworks Solutions (NASDAQ:SWKS), which could be a nice way to play the trend.
Skyworks Solutions' stock has been on fire over the last few years, propelled mainly by the explosive growth of the smartphone industry. Skyworks supplies chips to nearly every major smartphone provider in the world, so demand for the company's products has grown right along with the market. Over the last five years, the company's top line has grown at an impressive 20% annualized, and earnings have grown even faster.
But Skyworks' management isn't resting on its laurels; it's been investing aggressively to become a leader in the IoT space. Every quarter, the company announces design wins in new growth markets like drones, smart TVs, and cameras, putting the company at the forefront of the trend.
One reason I'm confident Skyworks is a great way to play the IoT trend is because the company has a history of growing sales without needing to discount its products. Believe it or not, last quarter, Skyworks was actually able to expand its non-GAAP gross margin by 410 basis points, coming in at 50.8%. That achievement should be applauded, especially when you consider that chip suppliers face huge pressure from customers to lower prices in order to maintain their market share.
More recently, the markets haven't been very enthusiastic about Skyworks' prospects, and they've taken down the company's share price accordingly. The smartphone market is maturing, so growth is expected to slow considerably for smartphone suppliers. Currently, shares of Skyworks can be purchased for less than 13 times trailing earnings.
I think the market is far too focused on the near term and is ignoring Skyworks' long-term growth potential in the IoT space. If you're looking for a cheap way to play the IoT trend, you might want to give Skyworks' stock a closer look.
Keith Noonan: Cisco Systems' (NASDAQ:CSCO) position in network hardware and its push into Internet of Things services technologies look to make it one of the driving forces behind increased device connectivity and data management. This, combined with the stock's reasonable valuation and strong dividend, make it a top choice for investing in the IoT.
February saw Cisco purchase Jasper Technologies for $1.4 billion and integrate the business into its IoT Cloud Business Unit. With the purchase, Cisco rapidly accelerated its push into IoT platform services by adding over 3,500 enterprise service customers and positioning itself as one of the leading enterprise IoT providers.
Cisco is also tailoring its routing hardware for IoT applications and delivering IoT-specific routers for businesses; the company is teaming with Intel, Ericsson, and Verizon for the development of 5G routers. With a big increase in the number of connected devices and data generated, faster networks capable of handling greater information loads are needed, and 5G networks are expected to be a key part of IoT proliferation.
Cisco's dividend yield sits at a chunky 3.5%, and free-cash-flow generation of roughly $12.7 billion over the last 12 months indicates that the company will have plenty of money coming in to fund future payouts and new IoT research and acquisitions. Trading at roughly 14 times forward earnings projections, the company's stock is affordably priced and offers strong growth prospects tied to the rollout of IoT technologies.
Brian Feroldi has the following options: long January 2017 $195 calls on IBM, short January 2017 $195 puts on IBM, short January 2017 $190 puts on IBM, long January 2018 $175 calls on IBM, and short January 2018 $175 puts on IBM. Daniel Kline has no position in any stocks mentioned. Keith Noonan has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Gartner, Skyworks Solutions, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool recommends Cisco Systems and Intel.

revolutions, Internet of Things is next up

WebNMS, a division of Chennai headquartered Zoho Corporation was founded in 1996 to make software for monitoring telecommunications. In the late 90’s when the telecom boom happened  WebNMS was remotely monitoring telecom equipment all over the world. By 2009, the IoT (Internet of things) started to pick up. IoT adds sensors and internet capability to manufacturing equipment, diesel generators and also to many everyday physical objects. “Earlier communication was only between machine to machine. With IoT, the telecom platforms talk to the machines”says Prabhu Ramachandran, director, WebNMS. “It is a natural evolution.”
“In recent times, there have been several revolutions. Smartphones have changed the way we do business. Then there is cloud. IoT will be the next”, says Ramachandran. He has been involved in creating WebNMS based products and solutions for the telecom market for over 13 years. IoT can work for consumers and business. WebNMS has chosen to take the business path. “We are working on how to bring efficiencies in business.”
In 2011, the unit released the Symphony IoT platform. It has won several awards including the Express IT Award under the category, IT Innovation in 2015. Symphony IoT Platform will be ideal for the government’s smart cities project, says Ramachandran. It will help integrate diverse systems such as transportation, utility, infrastructure, and healthcare.
“Smart cities are the result of coming together of technology, people, government, environment and data. The IoT  will be the key driver of smart cities which will be efficient, economically viable and people friendly. Cities today are in need of systems that could help optimise cost, secure assets at multiple geographic locations, modernise urban mobility, simplify public services, scale up security, promote citizen engagement and improve the overall well-being of its people”. “If you are having problems with your car your smart phone can talk to the engine and give you the remedy in layman terms with IoT.”
How can IoT help save energy costs? It will help monitor and manage renewable and non-renewable energy. IoT leads to electricity boards getting to know what is going on where. It will know the grid’s performance, where energy is being lost , and where energy can be saved. Smart grids allow energy distribution to be managed in real time based on immediate data rather than historic patterns of power usage. With cloud computing, smart phones, and wireless technology, machines can talk seamlessly to one another.
IoT can monitor water usage as well. Depleting water resources is a major concern in the country. As new sources dry up, water managers will have to focus on improving the yield for delivery. There is much leakage by the time water is delivered to the consumers. IoT could solve this by letting them know exactly where to repair in order to improve this yield. Sensors can provide a more precise understanding of water flows and help prioritise improvements. This can eventually apply to individual homeowners who can stop leaks, detect when a pipe bursts and save water.
All cities in India suffer from traffic congestion. “IoT can improve traffic management, reduce accidents and most important reduce costs,” Ramachandran adds. With real time traffic data, the system can recognise current traffic operation, traffic flow conditions and can predict the future traffic flow. The system can issue real time traffic information that  helps  drivers choose optimal routes. It can precisely administrate, monitor and control moving vehicles. “IoT for traffic management can really make people’s life easier. Put smart GPS in buses and it can alert people through their smart phones when their bus is one kilometre away from their bus stop. To put GPS in all buses in a city like Chennai will cost only about R10 crore.”
IoT can help achieve many things which seem so futuristic. “Think IoT and think intelligent toilets, parks, theatres and whole lot of places accessible to the public”. In manufacturing, it can do what robotics has done for manufacturing from a remote location. It can switch on a machine, see what is happening, and if something is failing repair it immediately. It can minimise costs. It can monitor ATMs and telephone towers which are huge consumers of diesel. It can be useful to cut costs in businesses like restaurants where usage of kitchen machinery, flow of raw materials, oil consumption and many other issues in a centralised kitchen can be monitored and corrected on time.
WebNMS’ Symphony, is the bridge between IoT hardware vendors and software application developers. The platform provides flexible ways to integrate devices, people, and enterprise systems on one platform. It is scalable to support complex IoT scenarios connecting millions of connected devices. Its big data module also overcomes the complexity to process huge data volumes and real-time analytics. “Symphony is an open platform. A person can develop a restaurant app from this platform and sell it to other restaurants,” says Ramachandran. The company has also developed Symphony EdgeX, which is an IoT agent that eases IoT enabled devices & applications to seamlessly work together. “EdgeX connects software with hardware, allows people to mix and match what they want and solves a lot of problems.”
WebNMS sees a lot of opportunities in Asian countries, Africa and the Middle East. It has already done a smart lighting project in Muscat and a fire safety monitoring project in Dubai. “IoT is a less expensive way of doing things,” says Ramachandran. In India it is monitoring telecom towers and ATM machines. In India, he expects it to take off quite soon.
Zoho bet on cloud and put in thousands of man hours on R&D. It took a few years and the Zoho suite has emerged as a leader in the cloud and devices, giving Microsoft a run for its money. Zoho’s promoter Sridhar Vembu does things his own way. The company is privately held, does not believe in PE investment or IPOs. It is not small, it has 3,500 employees. Ramachandran is confident that IoT will also be a success story from Zoho.
Source:financialexpress.com