Choosing the Right IoT Device Management Platform

Even just a couple of years ago, Internet of Things was considered by many as the next evolution in the technological universe. That future has arrived and millions around the globe have shifted their focus towards IoT. Merging software and hardware has never been more crucial. The time is still right to breathe life into your projects. The first step in creating a full-fledged IoT solution is to choose the correct platform. This blog will take a closer look at different options and choose the best IoT device management platform for you. Let’s jump straight into it.

Importance Of An IoT Device Management Platform

Think of your IoT devices as a fleet of delivery trucks. They have the unique route and cargo. Managing them efficiently can be a challenge, especially when they are working 24/7. A central platform monitors them constantly and updates the person in charge. An IoT device management platform works in a similar manner. It not only allows control over all aspects of the various devices in a system but also allows monitoring readings whenever needed.

Some of the main functionality of an IoT device management platform is as follows:

1. Device Configuration
2. Diagnostics
3. OTA Updates
4. Data Analytics
5. Automation
6. User Access Control
7. Customization & Integration

Various IoT device management platforms provide various functionalities. This is why proper research is needed before pulling the trigger and starting on one.

Top IoT Device Management Platforms In 2023

We won’t be wasting any of your time and getting into the details of the top platforms to consider in 2023. All of these have been tried and tested by millions of people, which makes them reliable and trustworthy. From their features to pricing, everything will be covered in this section. So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it.

Azure IoT Hub

You might be familiar with azure. It is a cloud solution developed by, market leader, Microsoft. It not only allows individuals and firms to create full-fledged applications but shift an entire infrastructure to it, boosting its prospective benefits tenfold.

The Microsoft IoT Hub is built upon Azure and is designed for complete control over a system’s IoT devices. Whether it be a small sensor or entire gateway devices, Azure IoT Hub lets you control it all.

Security

It utilizes top of the line security protocols, which are crucial in preventing unauthorized external influence over these IoT devices. It is based upon the STRIDE model, which stands for Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information disclosure, Denial of service and Elevation of privilege. Each one of these factors have been thoroughly worked on to create an IoT hub that is not only close to perfect but extremely secure too.

Automation

The defining aspect of IoT is automation. The entire system can work without requiring any human intervention. This is the goal of any IoT system and Azure has made this extremely easier. Devices and sensors can be configured to work independently at all times. Data exchange is completely seamless while maintenance needs are predicted and addressed automatically too.

Pricing

It is expected for an industry-leading IoT device management platform to be costly. Fortunately, Microsoft’s offering has three tiers, designed for different levels of usage:

1. Basic

2. Standard

Inclusion of a free tier is a fantastic addition by the Azure team. People can test out their platform and even host small scale IoT projects to get a good idea of whether it is fit for them. You can find out more about their pricing structure here.

Amazon AWS IoT Core

Amazon is another major player in the tech industry. Although it started as an e-commerce platform, it branched out and become a major player of cloud computing. Its offerings rival Azure and other huge names in the industry.

Similar to Microsoft Azure, AWS allows creation of entirely cloud-based SaaS applications. It also allows for migrating existing ones, which is a major thing for already established companies and firms. A fun fact about AWS is that it has a larger market share when compared to Azure, coming in at 33%. The latter was at 20%, as of 2022. That is an impressive difference.

The main difference between this and Microsoft’s offering is the focus. IoT Core has a singular focus on device connectivity while the IoT Hub focuses more on management and security. Let’s take a look at IoT Core’s defining features:

AWS IoT Device SDK

The AWS SDK is a game changer. It simplifies the process of integrating a new hardware device or existing software into the IoT platform. It utilizes multiple protocols, such as MQTT, HTTP, and more. Not only that but it offers support for the following languages:

• C Language
• JavaScript
• Arduino

The SDK also comes with a complete porting guide, making the process seamless.

Device Advisor

IoT Core’s Device Advisor is a major thing to consider. It serves the purpose of validating newly added IoT devices. Thanks to the inclusion of pre-built tests, these new additions can be tested thoroughly, completely from the cloud.

The overall goal of this feature is to accelerate software development while ensuring scalability. It also opens a path for a device to get qualified for the AWS Device Qualification Program. This will also allow for them to be listed with the AWS Partner Device Catalog.

Pricing

Unlike paying a fixed monthly price for an IoT platform, AWS offers a pay-as-you-go approach. An individual needs to pay only for the services that are utilized, not dissimilar to utility bills. This is a fantastic model and definitely helps in keeping costs down. No need for contracts or complex licensing is required. The AWS Pricing Calculator will help you in estimating the cost, according to your IoT solution.

Cisco IoT Cloud Connect

Cisco is a long-standing name in the networking industry. It is popular for developing and manufacturing high-end networking hardware. Its service catalog is pretty impressive and it was not surprising to see it make its way into the IoT device management platform world, as it has already had massive success in the industry.

Let’s talk a bit about Cisco IOT. With a roughly 10% market share, it certainly is no small contender in the market. It promises companies of a streamlined, should they choose to make the transition to a cloud-based platform. Among various of its features, some standout ones are:

• Centralized IoT data management
• Advanced security
• Robust control center

IOT Control Center

The Control Center, created by Cisco, is at the center of it all. It has all the important functionalities needed for successful IoT system. It already has major industry players on board, which have already started working on game-changing IoT applications and systems. Plus, its already vast catalog of connectivity hardware has allowed them to secure a sizeable market share of the IoT industry.

Largest Fleet Of Smart Cars

Thanks to its already solid connectivity hardware, as mentioned above, Cisco is the leading name when it comes to smart vehicles. Their hardware and software combined is a game-changer for new entrants in the smart-vehicle market.

Pricing

Cisco requires direct contact with an individual or firm to suggest them a price. This is why there is no set number available on the internet. This means that they develop a personalized plan that will be perfect for businesses of any sizes. There are promotions available on the company’s website. Don’t forget to use them, if you go ahead and buy from them!

Conclusion

There you have it folks: the top three contenders, as per market share, in the IoT device management platform market. All of them have their own pros and cons. But one thing is certain: this constant competition between these companies has led to quicker progress in the IoT industry, which is certainly beneficial for people around the globe. We still recommend that you should conduct your own research before finalizing which platform will be the most suitable for your project, as there are a lot more factors to consider other than the ones listed on this blog. Happy searching!