From ThingWorx to Cisco IoT Cloud Connect, AWS IoT to Microsoft Azure IoT, there’s a bewildering array of IoT platforms on the market. More than 400 of them, in fact. So how does a company choose the right platform to meet its needs?
A new tool from analyst company Beecham Research and its partner IoT Global Network could provide an answer.
Announced yesterday, the two companies claim to have launched the first fully independent, online IoT navigation tool, designed to help adopters identify the right IoT platform for them.
The tool aims to help accelerate the growth of the IoT market by helping businesses make better-informed decisions about the multitude of IoT platforms, to identify those that best suit them at particular stages in their development.
Vendors should not be concerned about their platform being excluded at the expense of others, however. Beecham Research says that the tool “does not seek to recommend one platform over others, but it does narrow the field to a level that adopters can manage effectively.”
That should help adopters to begin the decision-making process with a clearer picture of the market and engage in negotiations with vendors quicker, the company claims.
Read more: 400 platforms, 100+ standards and one big fat reality check for IoT
Picking the right platform at the right time
“The IoT platform has become an important starting point for building IoT solutions, but with so many now on the market, it is a highly confusing starting point,” said Robin Duke-Woolley, CEO of Beecham Research.
“In addition, IoT platforms are going through a fast rate of development with frequent updates, acquisitions and re-brandings. They are also becoming increasingly sophisticated as well as more specialized. For those who do not understand the subtleties, this adds greatly to the confusion, which then acts as a brake on market development.”
“We strongly believe this is of benefit not only for adopters but for vendors as well, leading to better-informed decision-makers, more qualified sales opportunities and shorter sales cycles.”
Development of the tool was carried out by the IoT Global Network, which hosts the system on its website.
“Bringing together our two companies in partnership will ensure continuous development of both analyst-driven content and increasingly sophisticated system features to better serve the market,” said Charlie Bisnar, director of IoT Global Network.
Internet of Business is also doing its bit to clarify the benefits of these IoT platforms. For those interested, check out our platform directory, and why not come along to our IoT Build conference in London this November, where industry experts come together to discuss the most effective platforms, architectures, and applications to build your IoT ecosystem?