IoT solutions and services are one of the fastest-growing niches in the world today. IoT-connected devices are expected to double by 2030, and 57% of companies in USA and Canada have already implemented IoT within their operations. It helps companies scale up and remain competitive in the market today.
So, if your organization aims to leverage IoT services successfully, you’ve come to the right place. This handy little guide will formulate a framework to evaluate IoT service providers, find essential features, and common pitfalls you must avoid.
Key Criteria for Evaluating an IoT Service Provider
You already know many IoT service providers offering diverse services. But, knowing how to evaluate them based on your company’s needs will impact the success of your IoT initiatives. Here are some crucial criteria to help you make that decision.
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Service delivery capabilities
Assess a service provider’s record of accomplishment with reliability and delivery capabilities. Eventually, you would lose profit margins over outages if your IoT service provider is not reliable and responsive.
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Industry expertise
Evaluate a provider’s expertise in your niche as tailored solutions are more likely to yield positive outcomes. For example, a provider like Bridgera provides tailored, customized and specialized IoT solutions for businesses in the manufacturing and OEM, and healthcare niches.
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Horizontal or vertical solutions
Vertical IoT solutions are your best bet if you’re looking for specialized solutions that cater to your industry’s specific needs. Horizontal IoT solutions are suited for companies with a broad range of needs that aren’t industry specific.
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Customization capabilities
Standard service-level agreements (SLAs) may not work for your industry. So, a provider who can offer customizations and tailored plans based on your individual goals and KPIs would be a better fit.
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Risk management plans and strategies
Evaluate your provider’s contingency plans and risk management strategies before signing the dotted line. A robust plan will address different scenarios including catastrophic ones to ensure your IoT operations withstand disruptions.
Essential Features to Look for in IoT Solutions and Services
Now, here are some crucial features you cannot afford to ignore while selecting your IoT services provider.
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Scalability
Can you add new sensors and devices as your company scales with minimal disruptions or overhauls?
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Security protocols
A robust security protocol is crucial, especially for sensitive data and analytics. Look for end-to-end security features like encryption, authentication methods, and regular updates.
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Data management and analytics capabilities
Evaluate the provider’s data management capabilities, analytics tools, and visualization capabilities to ensure you can take data-driven decisions based on actionable insights.
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Integration with existing system
Interoperability is crucial for a seamless transition to the new system. Evaluate your existing standards and protocols to ensure compatibility.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Choosing an IoT Provider
Here are some of the most common pitfalls companies make while choosing an IoT provider so that you can avoid them.
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Excessive focus on cost
We’re not asking you to throw budget constraints out of the window, of course. But wise decisions hinge on the overall value offered by your provider including scalability, reliability, and essential features.
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Ignoring future needs
Your long-term requirements should be at the forefront of your decision-making process. IoT services and solutions are a rapidly evolving industry, and your provider must have the ability to stay ahead of the trends and advancements.
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Ignoring the importance of testing
Your provider should allow for testing and validation of their solutions before full-scale implementation. This will help avoid issues post-deployment.
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Ignoring platform limitations
Choose a provider who can scale up your solutions as your company scales and allows you to customize the solutions based on your needs. Bridgera’s Application Enablement Platform can get you started and scale up your operations in two weeks.
But these challenges and pitfalls can be overcome with the right IoT service provider who can guide you with their technical expertise.
Make an Informed Decision Today
Navigating the IoT solutions landscape can be challenging in several ways. As IoT connectivity requirements, features, and technologies evolve at a break-neck pace, you will need a reliable IoT solutions and services partner to help your business level up and scale up.
At Bridgera, we take a holistic approach to solving your problems to provide a seamless IoT integration and IoT implementation experience for all our partners. Here’s what we offer:
- Seamless transition to our IoT platform
- Faster time-to-market with our AMP platform
- White label IoT platform customized as per your requirements
- Actionable data analytics to enable data-driven decisions
Get in touch with one of our IoT implementation experts today!
About Bridgera: Bridgera effortlessly combines innovation and expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions using connected intelligence. We engineer experiences that go beyond expectations, equipping our clients with the tools they need to excel in an increasingly interconnected world. Since our establishment in 2015, Bridgera, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, has specialized in crafting and managing tailored SaaS solutions for web, mobile, and IoT applications across North America.
About Author: Krishna Varma is a writer and researcher, who enjoys writing about technology, IoT, and lifestyle. When she isn’t writing and reading, you’ll find her relaxing with a quiet cup of tea over the weekends.