3 Critical Issues to Failed IoT Projects

The hype machine has been pumping IoT for a few years now, companies all over the world have started to implement and deploy Internet of Things devices and solutions. The companies who have adopted this technology are seeing massive ROI’s, and this is why the term “IoT” known as the Internet of Things continues to grow. What about the companies that have taken on the challenges and implemented the solution but have failed? Did they fail because of “bad technology” or getting in “too early”?

Companies we talk with that have tried and failed to implement IoT display the three items below. Each time we speak with a new customer we see all three of the misunderstandings or lack of understanding come up. This is why we have identified three critical issues to a failed IoT product or project. Please also understand we know there are great IoT solutions in the world right now that do not fall into the following three items and might have other issues like; lack of focus, marketing issues, personnel turnover and more.

 

1) An understanding of the Power and Flexibility of IoT

The Internet of Things can be a dominant player in your business, and it can even be the best. But not understanding the real power, scope and flexibility can cause some unrealistic dreams. Due to the hype around IoT, it will often get mixed with Augmented Reality, Artifical Intelligence, and Machine Learning. When we talk with people, who have this mixed and have a very unrealistic approach to how the Internet of Things works we prefer to break down the problem they are trying to solve. Taking the end goal and working backward, this will usually leave us with a straightforward issue that can be addressed with a straightforward IoT use case. It’s important to take a step back and fully understand your end goal before layering tons of pointless technologies that will end up costing you a fortune and ultimately placing you in the failed IoT implementation column.

To start getting a grip on IoT and it’s use cases it will be essential to follow blogs such as this one that gives you IoT information and examples. Doing so will allow you to start understanding IoT better and when it comes time to produce a use case for your company, you’ll be ready.

 

2) The Complex Challenges

IoT is complicated, and often researching new items on IoT only leads you into more complexity. The amount of knowledge available and the ever-changing nature of IoT and technology as a whole can lead to a complexity meltdown! The Internet of Things should not be this hard. IoT in it’s purest form is;

• Physical sensors or devices sending data to the cloud.
• A person or other computer system can make a decision

Getting data from the physical world to the digital one, you would not think that’s an issue with the ’Internet of Things’ as it has ‘internet’ in the name! In fact, this is a widespread issue, and we see it all the time, just the act of getting sensor data to the cloud is a pain. Companies usually don’t think about “How am I going to get my data to the internet?” They take that for granted because hello “Internet of Things”! Companies often have issues with integration with some of the more prominent IoT brokers out there. The lack of explanation or documentation on how to get your data from point A to point B is left mostly to you.

Again, to solve this, it’s essential to break down your end goal and look for the most straightforward path to it. This can mean, implementing parts slowing at first vs. jumping off the deep end. The Internet of Things should not be hard!

3) Understanding Your True Security Risk

The Internet of Things has a bruise if not a deep cut from the security scares from 2016, 2017 and now in 2018. As IoT becomes more prevalent and mainstream, we are going to start to see more significant gaps in protection and broader issues that affect not only your Smart Business but entire “Smart Cities.” As larger organization implement IoT solutions, it is also possible to see even more massive personal data leaks.

The question is, why do we have such a security problem when it comes to The Internet of Things? We already know that IoT is just a new way of thinking vs. a new “Technology.” If there are NO new technologies involved then why are new security holes introduced when we deploy an IoT product?

We see a lack of standards and an unregulated or unchecked device market; we have manufactures deciding their security standards and not informing the public or end user of that product or device. With all of the security scare’s happening around the Internet of Things, it’s important to thoroughly check and vet your team that builds your next IoT project. It’s important to have the proper backgrounds in the disciplines needed to make that IoT project successful. The Internet of Things is still finding its stride; people are still trying to warp there brain around how to use it and get started.

Avoid the risk and go with a trusted source for devices, it may cost you a little more in the short term but will pay off when it does not put you in the failed IoT project column.

 

How to Avoid The Fail Column

Echolo takes a robust approach when it comes to IoT Security, we use trusted manufacturers and devices for our primary points of communications, what we call our “Hubs.” We go one step farther and implement security on the hubs we support built by developers that have been in the security space for more than ten years. Our software and communication endpoints get secured with encryption and secure socket layers from every angle. We take privacy and security of your data very seriously. Our Internet of Things Platform delivers your data from the physical world to the digital one. Our platform and network were built from the ground up to reduce the complexity of traditional systems making it easy for you to get your products to market faster. Echolo’s IoT Platform offers unmatched flexibility and ease of use, at a reasonable price point.

Echolo is an IoT consultancy that takes IoT education seriously, that’s why we have sources for additional training like our newsletter and eBooks. We want out customers to be well versed and educated in the IoT space and how it can help their business. Ultimately we want to see significant returns for our clients, that’s what we would want from a partner.

Are you ready to take the next step and get assistance with your current IoT project or product? Echolo is here to help get you pushed in the right direction, even if that direction takes you away from us! Work with us today, and see why so many clients keep coming back to Echolo.