As the Internet of Things (IoT) matures, organizations across many sectors are facing the challenge of scaling up from small, trial deployments and proofs of concept to mainstream, high-volume consumer roll-outs. They’re hampered by a lack of standardization, which makes it difficult to scale and stands in the way of accelerating time to market.

This critical stage of putting IoT technology into real-world practice requires experimentation, but also cost control, so a flexible technology and connectivity platform is a fundamental requirement.

That technology is already at work supporting IoT trials and large-scale deployments, notably in connected vehicles, smart energy, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). With the IoT market estimated to grow to US$661.74 billion by 2021, it’s becoming mission-critical.

At the same time IoT is taking off, wider digitalisation is happening across the business landscape. Companies need to address the complex technical challenges of digitalising their operations, and the data collected by IoT sensors will play a vital role in their success.

Elements of the IoT Opportunity

To successfully tap into the IoT opportunity, organizations need to get the technology right — starting with devices, gateways, and the cloud. Alongside these requirements is a new wave of connectivity options.

An IoT device must be reliable, have excellent connectivity, and operate autonomously. Gateways need to make the right network choices, set optimal performance for different volumes and types of data, and maintain tight security. And cloud is essential to aggregate data, as well as to store and analyze it.

Assembling the right capabilities across all three of these areas and ensuring each interoperates with the others, plus connectivity, is a complex challenge for IoT organizations — but it can be simplified by selecting suppliers that have expertise across all these critical areas.

Scalable Design Platform – The Altair Approach

The Altair approach is to simplify, share, accelerate, and add value in four key areas: efficiently designed smart devices, optimal gateways and networks, modern cloud-based solutions, and extended software ability for better development and faster product creation.

With Altair’s tools and experience, users can customize and accelerate device programming and speed time to market for IoT devices. Some of the most exciting and fastest-growing segments are connected vehicles, smart energy, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT):

• Connected vehicles – Hundreds of tiny sensors collect real-time information about a car in motion. These sensors need to be small, accurate, and able to communicate reliably.
• Industrial IoT – Industrial environments are automated using IoT capabilities to operate plants, improve manufacturing efficiency, and manage environmental impact.
• Smart energy – IoT is enabling smart energy from the power grid and micro-grids to individual end users.

New Business Models

These new markets and technologies don’t necessarily fit well with the traditional constraints of software or IT services, and Altair has developed an innovative approach to delivering value to customers.

The Altair  approach provides Altair software via a unit-based licensing system. This patented, on-demand licensing model brings together partners and cloud solutions, maximizing flexibility and cost efficiency. It’s software as a service with a model designed for IoT.

Take the Next Step

Contact Altair and get a free one hour briefing to see if you are ready to start your IoT journey.