How Cloud Platforms Enable Easy and Remote IoT Management

Even if you’re not familiar with the term “cloud platform,” chances are you’re already using one in some form. You may know them better by their given names: Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, Spotify, WeTransfer — these household names are all cloud-based platforms that enable users to access data, files, devices, or applications through the Internet, with no need for any external infrastructure.

Given the convenience and connectivity they provide, it only makes sense that they’re also utilized in IoT. As we always say at RAK, data is the heart of IoT—and IoT collects a ton of it. Cloud platforms fill the crucial role of providing a centralized base, where connected devices and the data they collect can be accessed and managed from anywhere. Below, we briefly explore the main advantages of cloud-based solutions for remote IoT management.

WisDM IoT Device Management: cloud-based solutions for remote IoT management

Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness

Cloud platforms remove the need for on-site IT infrastructures. This significantly reduces upfront costs, such as hardware maintenance, rent, and IT personnel. It also reduces the risk of hardware failures and service downtimes that often lead to bigger expenses. With the virtual nature of cloud-based solutions, you get more flexible pricing based on actual usage or your storage needs.

Remote Control & Data Access

Cloud platforms allow you to store, monitor, and process massive amounts of data virtually. This remote capability makes data processing smoother, enabling instant access and control from anywhere in the world. It also removes the constraints of on-site networks. Most importantly, cloud platforms give you real-time visibility on your devices, which is crucial for IoT projects. This means you can monitor your sensors around the clock, send immediate software updates, and act on data feedback and warning signals quickly.

Increased Security Measures

Security breaches are often a point of concern in IoT, and we would argue that cloud platforms offer greater data protection than on-site servers. While storing data on the premises may give companies a sense of control, they lack the thorough monitoring offered by some cloud platform providers. Some providers also ensure regular software and firmware updates. In a nutshell, cloud platforms extend the responsibility of data protection to the providers, who may offer more layers of security than what enterprises are capable of on their own.

The agility that cloud platforms provide makes all the difference in IoT device management. These are only a handful of benefits and cloud platform providers are constantly developing even more powerful features. By using a cloud platform, you can make both small- and large-scale deployments as swift and stress-free as possible.

COMING SOON: Enjoy easier IoT device management with WisDM, a new cloud-based solution by RAKwireless launching soon. Stay tuned!