Why Too Many IoT Adopters Get Stuck—And How Middleware Is the Solution
UnaBizUnaBiz
It’s hard to say exactly how many IoT projects fail. You’ll find figures ranging from 58 to 76 percent, and more. To be honest, it’s unlikely that any of these numbers reflect the current state of the industry today. The field moves so quickly; this morning’s failure rate may be outdated by the afternoon. Besides, there is a better question to ask: Why do IoT projects fail? Answers will differ dramatically from one type of IoT project to the next, so let’s narrow our field of inquiry. Massive IoT deployments—those including 20,000 or more devices at the edge—face their own challenges. According to Microsoft’s 2021 IoT Signals report, 28 percent of organizations fail to expand IoT initiatives because projects are “too complex to implement” due to “technology demands.” Here is an explanation of the problem—and how to solve it using middleware to create future-proof massive IoT systems that accelerate time-to-value, provide limitless scalability, and eliminate IT headaches for good.
'Once you find a middleware platform that is the right fit, you’ll be prepared for a massive, hybrid IoT deployment that works seamlessly.' -UnaBizIoT
Large IoT systems rarely rely on a single connectivity technology. For example, take a smart utility metering system that operates across a broad region. Some smart meters will provide the most value by connecting through cellular networks, whether that’s LTE-M or NB-IoT. Others may fall within LoRaWAN coverage, or provide cost-savings on a Sigfox network. A mix of these technologies—what IoT integrators call a “hybrid deployment”—usually provides the best ROI for such a massive IoT project.
On the device side, a hybrid deployment is simple enough; you just select smart meters to match the multiple network technologies across your coverage area. The trouble comes when it’s time to push device data through to your business platform. Most IoT business platforms don’t support multiple connectivity technologies. That is because each type of connectivity uses different file types and protocols to push data. You might plan to run an all-cellular IoT system today, but does that prepare you for growth in a year, five years, or 10? As you add new devices or connectivity technologies, you’ll have to alter your business platform to accept new protocols. That usually means three to six months of IT development, at a significant cost. Luckily, the solution to this challenge is already here: IoT middleware platforms.
What exactly is an IoT middleware platform? It is essentially a data-processing layer that sits between hybrid IoT networks and business platforms. Middleware accepts data from all the network types in a hybrid deployment. It aggregates that data, converts it from machine-readable to human-readable formats, and pushes it quickly to the business platform, where you can use it to speed up better business decisions. With a middleware platform, it’s easy to deploy multiple network technologies at the edge—without costly development on your business platform. That’s the core value of IoT middleware, and it’s particularly valuable for massive IoT projects.
Companies that add middleware to their massive IoT projects report a range of benefits, including:
Middleware providers are ready to grow with the industry. As new protocols and connectivity technologies reach maturity, they’ll add them to their platforms. That makes your massive IoT project effectively future-proofed, no matter where IoT technology takes us tomorrow. But how do you know which middleware platform is best for your project?
There are multiple IoT middleware platforms on the market. Some of these focus on specific verticals—utilities, facilities management, asset tracking, etc.—while others offer a more general suite of services. Start by finding a middleware provider that offers expertise in your industry. Next, ask these five questions to find the ideal middleware partner.
In many industries, data is legally bound to remain within certain regions or nations. If this data sovereignty affects your business, be sure to ask middleware providers if they can support your needs.
Ideally, a middleware platform should be invisible and fully integrated into your business platform. The best way to accomplish this is through APIs—but not all middleware platforms offer API integration. An API-first option will make things easier on your operations team, with the middleware platform quietly doing its job in the background.
In any massive IoT project, issues will arise. Look for a middleware provider that provides comprehensive documentation, plus strong support teams that can always answer your questions.
Large-scale IoT projects may require security certifications, such as ISO 27001—but not all middleware platforms comply with these standards. Choose one that does.
A middleware provider is a long-term partner; in many industries, you’ll be working with them for 8-10 years at least. So, it is helpful to know what services they’re planning to roll out—and whether they’ll listen to your feedback to make beneficial changes over the years.
Once you find a middleware platform that is the right fit, you’ll be prepared for a massive, hybrid IoT deployment that works seamlessly—today, tomorrow, and long into the future. Middleware solves the problem that leads to half of IoT failures in massive deployments. Our advice? Take advantage of this technology.
The Most Comprehensive IoT Newsletter for Enterprises
Showcasing the highest-quality content, resources, news, and insights from the world of the Internet of Things. Subscribe to remain informed and up-to-date.
New Podcast Episode
Related Articles