What are the reasons for the failure of IoT projects？

Many people did not expect that implementing the Internet of Things would be so difficult, but it is the case.

The Internet of Things is a strategic focus for many companies, but according to a 2017 Cisco report, only 26% of respondents believe that one IoT project has been successful. This means that at least 75% of IoT projects have failed. (Maybe more than "75%" is because those successful companies have also experienced some failures.) Most of these failed projects (60%) have stalled during the proof of concept stage.

With so many processes and components involved, almost anything can go wrong and endanger IoT projects. But in fact, it can be boiled down to: the company underestimated the complexity of the project. In the same Cisco survey report, 60% of respondents said that IoT projects looked good on paper, but were harder to implement than anyone expected.

What are the reasons for the failure of IoT projects

As a result, many things can go wrong. The report states:

"From insufficient network or computer performance to underestimating the skills and resources required to develop and expand projects, IoT projects can be hampered by a variety of factors. Lack of uniform standards and traditional architectures that cannot interoperate with new technologies, and Will slow things down. "

Integration is not easy

One of the reasons why IoT deployments are challenging is the inherent difficulty of integrating software and hardware-not to mention ongoing maintenance over the life of the device.

We discussed this in an article last year, but unfortunately what we wrote down still applies:

Hardware engineers are very expensive, and they are not experts in creating web software; web engineers are also very expensive, and they are not experts in building hardware; in addition, embedded software technology lags behind web-based software technology. […] The current ecosystem is full of fragile and difficult-to-use devices—many of them bring security risks and different communication protocols that hinder seamless integration.

The solution: a custom embedded software and firmware engineering process designed for rapid iteration and continuous integration-not only during the prototyping phase, but also after it goes live.

Safety is more important than you think

Serious security breaches are still common. In 2020, the Internet of Things will continue to be the target of disruptive cyber attacks. Nevertheless, most organizations are committed to improving the customer experience, cost, and time to market. All of these are important, but without adequate security they will not matter.

Networked devices pose unique security issues. The security measures required to run an IoT software platform are much more complex than general software applications and services. It is important to keep security in mind at every step of the development process, after all, there are millions of devices connected to IoT platforms.

For network-connected software, whether it runs on a server, browser, smartphone, or embedded IoT hardware, best security practices need to be introduced. For example, if a security breach is discovered, it must be able to be updated in a timely manner.

Early, frequent and efficient updates

Networked devices need to be continuously enhanced to respond to market needs and operational issues, and wireless firmware and software updates are the only way to effectively perform such operations. However, don't forget that the update itself is also creating opportunities for attacks. Therefore, in addition to being as fast as possible, the firmware delivery process needs to be as secure as possible.

To strike a balance between speed and security, you need to address update issues during the design process.

Solid foundation, flexible platform

Building a network foundation for the Internet of Things is the key to future success. As Peter High, president of CIO consulting firm Metis Strategy, said at Cisco's Connected Futures, "You need to simplify your infrastructure to ensure that you can build your foundation with more confidence. This is very important."

You also need a flexible platform. Extensible code is not just about having it, it is also essential. Daniel Elizalde, who provides IoT training for businesses, explains: "Scalability is key, so make sure the vendor you choose allows you to use as much of their functionality as possible through programming."

According to a report by McKinsey & Company "Making sense of Internet of Things platforms": "Avoid choosing a platform just because it has a particularly interesting use case, like choosing a game console just because it has a A cool game. The applications included on the platform are important, but this is only part of the platform strategy. "

Solve business problems

It's not about technology, it's about understanding your business.

Richard Kelly, a partner at McKinsey & Company, said: "It sounds obvious to everyone, but in some companies, the bridge between technology and business issues is not always as strong as it needs to be. In addition, You need to make a choice here, instead of trying to solve everything, you're trying to solve two or three. "

Solve practical problems before you know what it looks like.

Identify your goals and key business indicators from the start. Kelly suggested: "The Internet of Things is about data, and the data leads to clear goals and progress indicators. The most successful organizations have established clearly defined key performance indicators and business outcomes since the beginning of their IoT project, and continue throughout the process Use data. "

Hire business-savvy partners

You need a partner who can combine best-in-class, open source, network-based, embedded IoT tools and technologies with field-proven security protocols, wireless software and firmware updates, and extensible code.

This partner has the ability to handle every aspect of your IoT application development project, including back-end engineering, hardware prototyping, and front-end design, and build your IoT software platform with a range of ready-made IoT software tools, products, and components And prepare for growth. (From the House of Things) In addition, one solution is not suitable for all companies, and partners can help you focus on business differentiation, rather than forcing you to adapt to templates.