There are a plethora of software platforms in the world today and new ones are popping up every day. The Internet of Things is no longer a new phenomenon.
According to several market analysts, it is predicted that the IoT market will experience a 10% annual growth until 2026. The increasing adoption of IoT technology in different industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and automotive, drives the increase in the market value. Consequently, this growth requires that flexible IoT platforms are available to manage the devices and connectivity.
In the rest of this article, we will be sharing all you need to know about IoT connectivity management platforms and why these platforms are needed for businesses in the 21st century.
What Is an IoT Connectivity Management Platform?
An IoT connectivity management platform connects IoT devices, including machine-to-machine (M2M) SIM cards, and streamlines the management of these devices. Also known as a “connected devices platform,” this software increases the scalability of Internet of Things device controls and decreases unnecessary onboarding processes that are time-consuming.
With this software, businesses are able to decrease downtime from the repairs of devices by proactively scanning for anomalies and forecasting failures before they even occur. An IoT connectivity management platform also helps to streamline connectivity management processes, thereby driving higher productivity and saving the time that would otherwise be spent on monitoring.
In order to stay afloat with the fierce competition in the evolving device ecosystem, it is imperative for businesses to have a comprehensive connectivity management platform that will help them to effectively monitor and organize device security and performance.
( Also Read: The Biggest Opportunities for IoT Innovation )
Why IoT Enterprises are Demanding Self-Service Platforms and Why They Are Necessary to Scale Efficiently
A successful IoT deployment usually brings about a vast number of connected devices all over the globe. It is very key to keep devices online and manage connectivity.
At this global scale, the secret to successful IoT deployment lies in alleviating any likely complexity. Businesses must have a self-service platform that helps them manage the connectivity so that they can be in control of their connectivity.
Having the appropriate IoT connectivity management platform (CMP) will enable companies to manage cellular technologies and devices efficiently and optimize data rates for effective IoT deployment.
The ideal functions of IoT connectivity management platforms include:
- Activation and deactivation of SIMs in real-time
- Setting data consumption limits
- Enabling real-time reports on a SIM-level
- Control and optimization of connectivity costs
- Aggregation of SMS and data usage across all SIMs.
Additionally, a global CMP saves you the cost of establishing new integrations and setting up fresh contracts with MNOs each time you deploy in a new location. All you need to do is integrate with the connectivity management platform, which will enable your device to connect with the necessary networks. Rather than shuttling between multiple carrier contracts with each deployment, you receive one transparent contract with zero hidden fees or fixed durations.
The Importance of IoT Connectivity Management Platforms to Businesses
With an effective IoT connectivity management platform, companies will enjoy the following benefits:
- Lower costs of operation and maintenance
- Actionable insights will be gotten from collected data
- Swift and secure batch activations
- Real-time detection of problems
- Enhanced functionality, convenience, and connectivity
Features of an Ideal IoT Connectivity Management Platform
An effective IoT management platform is key for driving the success of your company’s IoT deployments as well as your device ecosystem, which comprises every moving part that is connected to IoT devices that are owned by businesses, governments, and customers.
The 4 crucial elements of any successful IoT management platform are:
Security
Considering the fact that the Internet of Things has the capability to connect virtually thousands of devices together, it is, therefore, necessary for businesses to ensure that their connectivity management platform only allows secure and authorized devices to access its ecosystem. Make sure you get software that permits specified device enrollment requirements and requests for credentials before granting authorization.
Customization
A successful IoT connectivity management platform should also offer organizations with flexible device configurations and post-deployment controls that will promote performance. It is necessary to also ensure that remote reset options are available on all devices when detaching them from the Internet of Things ecosystem.
Quality Data and Statistics
An optimal IoT connectivity management platform will offer businesses such capabilities as visual and tracking representations of data in the real world. This enables transparency to determine if key performance indicators (KPIs) are being satisfied and if any problems arise, ensuring there’s swift detection and correction.
Remote Software Maintenance
As the Internet of Things pool continues to increase, it becomes essential to be able to update and also make changes to devices regardless of their location. This is particularly important when a vulnerability or security threat comes up for quick patching.
Final Thoughts
It does not matter the location of your deployment or how many Internet of Things devices you develop, an IoT connectivity management platform is an indispensable tool for IoT businesses that depend on cellular connectivity.
Importantly, regardless of wherever your business is located, whatever language you speak, wherever your CMP vendor is, and wherever you deploy, it is vital to get a vendor that provides 24/7 support. If the vendor is unable to support whenever the business needs help, it will be impossible for such a business to support its customers.
You may also want to have a vendor that operates with your currency as this will save you the stress of navigating with exchange rates and payment systems.
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