Despite the fact that there are many different opinions on the concepts of sensor network, Internet of Things (IoT) and ubiquitous network in the society, it is generally agreed that IoT refers to the realization of on-demand information acquisition, transmission, storage, cognition, analysis and use between things and things, things and people, and between people by people through various types of sensors.
The key aspects of IoT can be summarized as comprehensive sensing, reliable transmission, and intelligent processing. Comprehensive sensing refers to the use of radio frequency identification (RFID), GPS, cameras, sensors, sensor networks and other technical means of sensing, capturing, measuring, anytime, anywhere on the object to collect and acquire information. Reliable transmission refers to reliable information interaction and sharing through various communication networks and the Internet anytime, anywhere. Intelligent processing refers to the analysis and processing of massive cross-sectoral, cross-industry and cross-geographical data and information to enhance insight into the physical world, various economic and social activities, and realize intelligent decision-making and control. Compared with the global interconnection and interoperability characteristic of the Internet, IoT has local and industrial characteristics.
Industrial Internet of Things has a wide range of applications. Various types of terminals with environment sensing ability, computing mode based on ubiquitous technology, mobile communication and so on are continuously integrated into all aspects of industrial production, which can significantly improve manufacturing efficiency, improve product quality, reduce product cost and resource consumption, and elevate the traditional industry to a new stage of intelligent industry.
The technologies, roles and interactions of IoT platforms may vary from industry to industry, especially when they use digital technologies such as IoT. In this regard, IoT platforms are empowered by the following four elements:
1. Technology
2. Development ecosystem
3. Solution creation
4. Users
The foundation of these four elements is technology, from sensors to communication protocols to analytics tools, technology enablement is at the heart of IoT's ability to improve operational efficiency and facilitate the creation of new products. Then, the development ecosystem can utilize these raw technology tools to create the perfect solution to meet the needs of platform users.
Platform providers should design their products for users on both sides of the transaction. Therefore, it is important to provide users with different paths where the corresponding groups of people can find relevant content, services and solutions. These paths will involve content filtering based on industry or user roles. In short, the more intuitive the platform's interactive interface is, the more effective the paths to presenting content usually are, and the easier it is for both supply and demand to find what they are looking for. This relationship between users and data is at the heart of creating value in IoT platforms. By attracting software developers and other solution builders, IoT platforms can bring a wider range of solutions to users. As a result, the platform inspires the potential to create more value.
From a functional perspective, it consists of four main functions: CMP (Connectivity Management), AEP (Application Enablement), DMP (Device Management) and BAP (Business Analysis).
CMP (Connectivity Management Platform) is the connection management platform. It is generally utilized on the operator's network, specifically connecting to the IoT SIM card. This platform can realize IoT connection configuration and fault management, ensure terminal network channel stability, network resource usage management, connection tariff management, billing management, package changes, etc.
DMP (Device Management Platform) is a device management platform. It mainly includes a series of functions such as remote monitoring, setting adjustment, software upgrading, and troubleshooting for IOT terminals. And through the provision of open API call interface to help customers with system integration in the whole set of end-to-end M2M device management solutions, the overall offer charges. It can be considered that DMP is mainly oriented to the control of the basic state of the device such as on, off, stop, or real-time IoT device warnings and other device management that does not involve IoT upper application scenarios.
AEP (Application Enablement Platform) is the upper layer business enablement platform. This logical layer is combined with the upper layer application scenarios to provide developers with sets of application development tools (SDK), middleware, data storage, business logic engine, third-party API interfaces and other functions. We can understand it as a system development platform that combines application scenarios. With the continuous accumulation of business experience and technology involved in the industry, the competitiveness of the platform will gradually shift from connectivity to the platform's multi-scenario business capabilities.
BAP (Business Analytics Platform) can be called a business analytics platform. This logical layer contains two main functions: big data services and machine learning. The data pooled in the cloud platform is analyzed, processed, and visualized. And machine learning is to train structured and unstructured data deposited on the platform to form predictive, cognitive, or complex business analysis logic. And in the future, machine learning will inevitably transition to artificial intelligence.