How IoT Cloud Services Stack Up Against DIY
The ever-increasing mass adoption of IoT devices is leading to a consistent rise in the data generated through these devices. Large corporations are cashing on this opportunity through their range of cloud services to handle IoT data. Brands like Amazon, Microsoft and IBM have ventured into this market with an arsenal of lucrative options.
Should you build and rely on your own, custom cloud service or go with IoT ones? Let’s find out.
The Evolution
In the past, enterprises had to rely on in-house backup servers to collect and record their data. These physical servers, although provide complete control of information storage, they have significant disadvantages that make them a risky affair, especially if installed without conjunction with another cloud service for double protection. Natural disasters, high up-front costs and maintenance issues make them a less viable option, especially for IoT data that rarely holds any intrinsic value.
Any issues with the IoT cloud servers, on the other hand, have to be quickly handled by the service providing company. Given the vast number of resources at the disposal of large corporations handling these services, their technological developments would always stay a step ahead of the local setup.
The Semantics
Most of the data generated through IoT is not really useful for the business. Data such as customer information, billing and sales figures requires protection, recovery and quick availability. This is why, it is advisable to have dedicated backup and recovery mechanisms in place, whether it is outsourced cloud servers or in-house servers.
On the other hand, IoT data is mostly futile, unless needed for machine learning, accidents or security breaches. Allocating dedicated physical servers for this data would be a financially poor decision. IoT platforms foster intelligent communication between smart devices and computer technologies, with as minimum human intervention as possible.
Security, Scalability and Flexibility
One of the most important aspects of data backups is their security. To abide by compliance laws, large companies are bound to implement security tactics that protect client data, which in turn lets the clients protect their customers’ data. On the other hand, with a DIY setup, you would have to take care of this on your own. What’s more, these cloud systems get the latest updates in firmware and security patches to keep up with global developments, it becomes even more difficult for unauthorized personnel to access key information that compromises data privacy.
In sharp contrast to the local infrastructure, scaling on IoT clouds is as easy as it gets. Since there is no need to get additional hardware and invest man-hours into its configurations, scaling takes low effort. All it takes is a few clicks and you can alter the available space, devices and costs.
Clouds offer greater flexibility when it comes to data access, storage and transfers. Multiple users can get into the system from anywhere in the world and download information. What’s more, real-time monitoring becomes relatively easier with cloud platforms.
Multiple Choices
Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and several others come with distinct features that suit every business type and size. For instance, if your enterprise requires interoperability within platforms and edge capabilities, Azure is a great choice. The edge enablement fosters analytics right at the source of data generation, eliminating the need for constant transfer of data from the cloud to the enterprise and vice-versa.
AWS provides an array of services that make life easier for enterprise IT. Applications perform flawlessly and integrate with other services without any hiccups. AWS renders a stable meeting point for all nodes to submit performance data.
Costs
On-site infrastructures incur huge up-front costs and it does not end at that. The regular maintenance and the requirement of dedicated IT professionals on standby, just in case something goes wrong, is not cost-effective either. Cloud platforms prove much more cost-effective, with their overall value and pay-per-need plans. Upgrading or downgrading is usually a few clicks away and besides regular monthly/quarterly payments, there is no additional cost involved. The reduced server downtimes also lower the risk of financial losses. The already high level of customization, quick time to market and powerful integrations make these platforms a cut above the traditional IT infrastructures.
While cloud computing and IoT technologies are still in their infancy, their rate of development is quite high. Over the years, we can expect far more powerful technological integrations that create a network of data-transfers, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
With the high-performance internet plans of the leading NBN provider in Perth, you can choose the best cloud platforms and set all your IoTs to automation. Never again, would you have to worry about downtimes and speed. With flexible pricing options, you can select the best-suited plans to carry your daily operations.
Move your data worries to the web so you can focus more on the core of your business!
By Gary Bernstein
