Behind on the Internet of Things times? These 10 IoT companies can help you get caught up.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a daily reality.
From home security systems connected to your smartphone to entire statewide electrical grids synched to a self-healing computer monitoring system, it seems we have truly entered into a realm similar to a sci-fi film.
It’s here and booming, and it could be just the key to helping your business catch up with the times. Remote monitoring massive systems across the globe, rapid analysis of terabytes of data, and more are all possible when IoT becomes a part of your business.
Of course, this brings with it a fair share of risks and rewards for companies. From security concerns to distractions and major organizational changes, your business needs to be prepared for the change to a more modern age.
Organizations that specialize in IoT can help mitigate some of those risks for companies, but how can you decide which company is the best for your business?
Ironpaper, a digital agency focusing on inbound marketing, lead generation, and sales enablement, is one organization attempting to find the value proposition in the marketing side of IoT companies.
“With connected items, the enterprise must do more than provide an innovative product,” the organization shared. “In addition to the amazing physical product, IoT service, or solution offered, the marketing team must also engineer an excellent connected experience that is also meaningful or purposeful.”
Determining which IoT company is best for your business is a subjective task. Every business is different in what they expect or need from their IoT partner, but there are still some specific aspects to consider when making the decision:
Do they offer proof of their success with other businesses? What is their track record?
Do they clearly outline what you can expect from them in their process? Are they offering a play-by-play on how they will help your business optimize and adapt to IoT?
Do they showcase deliverables or benefits for joining their company?
Considering the vast amounts of options available within IoT—monitoring remotely, analyzing data, connecting offices, etc—do they offer a list of options, or do they only offer a few?
Keeping these questions in mind, here are some of the best options for IoT companies currently on the market. Each offers a definitive IoT solution for different sectors of business, and has a track record of success.
AT&T IoT
AT&T is now moving from cell phone coverage into other technology sectors. The AT&T IoT program is a large-scale, international database aimed at providing professional assistance, security, and innovation to companies across 200 countries within the AT&T network.
Not only is the company offering up its own IoT services, but they are also building an internal portfolio creating self-driving cars, smart grids for cities, and connected healthcare services. Their reach is expanding every year, and they are beginning to build a technology rich future through their inventions.
Intel, DK300 Series Gateway
Intel, known for powerful computer processors, is making waves with their DK300 Series Gateway. This new processor allows users to securely analyze, share, and filter encrypted data that passes between devices through their Intel network. What makes their chip stand out is not it’s inherent IoT properties, but that it allows non-IoT products to be monitored. It can turn a non-connected office into a full framework of monitored devices.
GE, Industrial Internet
GE has already begun providing hospital operations management, optimization for fuel consumption, and Grid IQ solutions for energy and utility companies. They have integrated machine data with cloud-based data management focused on industrialization and smart machines, and refer to it as the Industrial Internet.
GE has recently partnered with Intel to increase the reach of their data collection in an effort to improve their current energy infrastructure.
Oracle
A mass storage and cloud-based organization, Oracle is helping large companies collect, organize, and study their data. Oracle’s IoT solution focuses on speed and aims to provide real-time IoT solutions.
The company currently offers industry solutions within healthcare, insurance, construction/engineering, and for utility companies.
Cisco
Whether through network routers or telephone systems, Cisco has always been a company that focuses on connection. It was only natural the IoT became a part of its business platform.
The company provides solutions for businesses and people: everything from a digital revolution of the office to home security. Its list of products is expansive, and the company takes pride in its ability to make end-to-end solutions at a secure and rapid pace.
Microsoft, Azure IoT
Microsoft offers a variety of IoT options, including the business solution Azure IoT. Azure focuses on predictive maintenance and remote monitoring for large machine and energy developers. The company also places strong emphasis on information security, an important issue when considering the impact of IoT on your business.
Bosch IoT Suite
Bosch has joined the IoT world with a combination of alternatives for the consumer or larger businesses. Their business option, the Bosch IoT Suite, is focused on allowing businesses to create and manage their own IoT applications through Bosch Cloud access. The Suite offers a total of six IoT services currently, and is planning to expand the program even further as they continue to develop their platform.
PTC, Axeda
Acquired by software company PTC in 2014, Axeda is a purely cloud-based application focused on large machinery and the connected parts. Axeda helps collect and store information on sensors and devices to help companies collect energy usage data. They also provide remote monitoring and healing services through custom-built apps.
Google Cloud Platform
Known for crawling and collecting all the data available in the world, it was only natural for Google to turn their algorithm into a smart grid solution.
Through the Google Cloud Platform, the company offers large “ingestion” of data through its network and in turn provides detailed analytical reports. Google has also partnered with other companies focused on smart-grid technology such as Arduino and Intel.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
The Amazon Web Services department is ever growing, and contains multiple programs in its current state, each offering their own unique solution dependent on your needs.
Amazon’s Alexa service is one IoT solution for consumers that also combines Artificial Intelligence. Alexa, a smart cloud-based device, learns from all its users to make adjustments within its program. It connects through the Echo device and can play music, answer questions, and set alarms all through voice recognition.
Amazon has also provided the Kinesis Firehose application for AWS business users. It is a database built for streaming large amounts of data through the AWS servers, providing easy-to-understand results and analytics for large amounts of data.
Katie McBeth is a freelance writer out of Boise, ID, with experience in marketing for small businesses and management. You can follow her writing adventures on Instagram or Twitter: @ktmcbeth.
Great article about IOT platforms. I am interesting to provide solution for IOT consumer development and wonder any open source development platform or tool available today.
I’m really surprised that Harman could not make into this list?
This is wrong way to rank the companies. This is purely popularity ranking. A company with better marketing spend is rated higher doesn’t mean their investments in R&D and products are high or they are doing better in the market.