Top IoT Platforms and Tools for Developers

Author: Moon Technolabs

Development of applications has taken a big leap after evolution of IoT app development companies. They build projects that are fast and easy to develop, very affordable and extremely successful.

Topmost IoT Skills to look out for

Developers need to be proficient in following skills to be apt for creating IoT projects:

  • Data science and analytics – 1027%*
  • Data mining: 230%
  • Matlab: 78%
  • Machine Learning: 199%
  • IT & Networking – 120%
  • Network security: 46%
  • Computer networking: 91%
  • Linux system administration: 26%
  • Engineering & Architecture – 68%
  • AutoCAD: 217%
  • Circuit design: 231%
  • 3D design: 29%
  • Wearables – 68%
  • GPS development: 66%
  • Electrical engineering: 159%
  • 3D design: 29%
  • Security – 51%
  • Security infrastructure: 194%
  • Network security: 46%
  • Security engineering: 124%
  • Connected Home – 41%
  • Microcontroller programming: 225%
  • Raspberry Pi: 17100%*
  • Circuit design: 231%
  • Web, Mobile and Software Development – 40%
  • iPhone app development: 40%
  • Node.js: 86%
  • MongoDB: 63%
  • Big data, data storage and processing/backend programming – 17%
  • Apache Spark: 1667%*
  • MongoDB: 63%
  • Big data: 183%

    • The percentage corresponding to these skills show the rise in popularity and demand for given skills in market.

    Development of a Distributed IoT Service or an IoT Device

    Programmers need to make use of embedded programming in order to develop IoT devices. Software components that are embedded within the device can be a small computer within the device and the application software / program that makes it run. Examples of IoT devices are Coonected home devices, wearables, circuit design, 3D deign and GPS programming etc.

    Few points to be mentioned while creating a distributed IoT service:

  • Data and Analytics
  • Networking and IT Services
  • Designing and development of an integrated UI (E.g. – A simple mobile application to maintain and control temperature within room)

    • IoT Platforms for Development

    Interactive IoT devices and objects can be developed over Arduino platform. It combines a physical board processor that shields with individual libraries of C Code. This also comes with an integrated development environment (IDE) for writing, compiling and transferring code. Some development environment for IoT device development are:

  • Windows 10IoT Core – makes use of Visual Studio and Arduino Wiring API
  • Raspberry Pi 2
  • IBM’s Quarks IoT tools
  • Losant
  • Tessel 2
  • Platformio
  • Twilio Programmable Wireless
  • IBM Watson
  • IFTTT
  • Dronesmith
  • Kinoma
  • M2M Labs Mainspring
  • Flutter etc.

    • IoT Operating Systems and Hardware

    From small prototypes to large technologies, the list of embedded devices goes on. Small computing devices embedded within are known as chips or boards. These come in various price ranges and levels of processing capabilities.

    IoT Hardware Components include:

  • single-board processors like the Arduino Uno;
  • low-power boards;
  • field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA);
  • shields, which are smaller boards that plug into main boards to extend functionality by abstracting specific functions (e.g., interactive displays, GPS, heat and light sensors).

    • BeagleBoard is another small board computer that works with Linux Operating System, making use of an ARM processor.

    Intel’s Edison and Galileo are other reliable options for large scale productionQualcomm has also produced some technologies for the same platform

    Sensor and Beacon Technology

    IoT objects are able to broadcast information to nearby mobile devices by making use of bluetooth beacons. These are low power sensors that work on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mechanism. While we are close to an IoT device, our mobile phone receives signals via one way communication mechanism. BLE requires less power, is economical (battery of a beacon can last upto 3 years, once charged). It can ideally be used for small mobile applications.

    Summary

    Thus IoT App Development Companies follow certain criteria for development and integration of IoT into their smart devices. These are:

  • Selection of appropriate application software
  • Selection of appropriate hardware platform
  • Creation of Integrated UI
  • Development of appropriate API’s, procedure calls and web sockets
  • Set up analytics, data storage and security

    • Appropriate application of these devices can lead to overall growth and development of economy.