“The Internet of Things is about connecting all the dots, and it’s going to transform every industry.”
– Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce
These days, all of us use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, fitness trackers, and many other ‘smart’ devices, but have you ever wondered how these gadgets sense, connect and share data so efficiently, and what is responsible for all the intelligent functions performed by them?
This is where the Internet of Things or IoT enters the picture. You can understand it as a huge web of networks that enables devices that are embedded with smart capabilities to communicate or share information without any human intervention.
It has transformed industries, economics, and everyday lives by enabling them to devices to make intelligent decisions. You will be surprised to know that there are well over 18.8 billion connected IoT devices globally, and it is expected that there will be 24.44 billion IoT devices by 2030. (Exploding topics: Amazing IoT statistics)
One sector where IoT can even have life-saving implications is the healthcare industry. If you wish to build a custom IoT solution for medical issues, the Empeek website is the way to go.
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to build IoT software, but first, let’s start with the basics and get an idea about the evolution of IoT.
Evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT)
If you think that IoT devices were always this effective and efficient, then you are mistaken. It has gone through various changes and improvements over the years. I have divided its evolution into three parts to help you understand better –
Early IoT (before 2010) – These devices were simple and were designed for specific uses like thermostats, or wearables.
IoT growth (2010-2020) – With the rise in cloud computing and big data analytics, a massive growth in IoT applications was observed.
Current times – Advanced devices and improved connectivity and integration of AI have led to a significant enhancement in IoT technology.
FUN FACT In 2019, a surgeon in China performed a 5G-enabled remote surgery using IoT devices, controlling a robot arm in another city.
Software Development Life Cycle for IoT
Now that I have told you about the working and evolution of IoT, I think it is the perfect time to understand its software development life cycle.
Requirement analysis and planning – Like any other software development life cycle, here as well, the first step is to understand the requirements and needs for your project and plan accordingly.
Designing the system – You will need to develop a high-quality architecture to ensure that the sensors and devices communicate and perform effectively.
IoT hardware development and integration – This is where your ideas start to come together. This step is the integration of the hardware with the software layer, it involves selecting and creating the device, curators, and sensors that will collect and send the data.
Software development – This step involves developing the application software through which you will be able to interact with the smart devices.
Testing and validation – Once you are done with the above-mentioned steps, it’s time to put all the aspects of your innovation including device, network, security, and overall performance through tests.
Deployment and integration – When you are satisfied and confident after all the testing, it is time to deploy it into production.
Maintenance and support – The work doesn’t end once the system is live. Continuous maintenance and support is required to ensure its longevity and effectiveness
Common Challenges in IoT Software Development
From the development cycle I explained above, the whole process might sound really simple, but that is not the case. There are some common challenges that you might face during this process.
Device compatibility issues – IoT involves connecting various devices with different networks, operating systems, and communicating protocols. Ensuring the compatibility among all these elements might become a challenge.
Management and storage of data – It is essential to manage sensitive data properly. Storing, processing, and working on the large amounts of data generated by IoT systems can become a cause of concern.
Network reliability and latency – It is not confirmed that the IoT will only be deployed in optimal network environments. This can cause issues like network disruptions and inconsistent connectivity. This can be a major concern, especially for real-time applications.
Best Practices for IoT Software Development
To develop a seamlessly working IoT software, I would advise you to keep the following points in mind.
Prioritize security and privacy – IoT devices are considered prime targets for cyberattacks due to the sensitive information they carry. That is why it is essential to utilize strong security tools.
Optimize for real-time performance – It is necessary to have real-time processing in certain applications like automation, industrial control, and health monitoring. Ensure that there is no delay in data processing, otherwise, it can lead to poor user experience or worse, hazardous conditions.
Design for scalability and flexibility – Systems start small, but it isn’t certain that they’ll remain that way. Keeping this factor in mind while designing will save you from significant rework as the system scales.
Future Expectations
You can observe from the graph below that the Internet Of Things market is huge and will continue to grow exponentially in the upcoming years. Last year, the total revenue generated was valued at USD 334.7 billion, and it is estimated that this number will cross USD 934.2 billion by the end of 2033.
Now that we have an idea of its market size, let’s move on to what else can be expected of IoT in the future.
Autonomous IoT system – It is expected that with the advancement of technology, IoT systems will become more autonomous and will be able to make informed decisions in real-time. This can be a groundbreaking innovation for smart cities, as it can be used to effectively manage traffic flow, waste, and energy usage based on sensor data.
Quantum Computing – IoT’s abilities can be enhanced with this, as this technology can assist in processing vast amounts of data much faster than standard devices. This can be especially useful for industries like healthcare, security, and climate monitoring.
Sustainable and green IoT – With increased awareness and knowledge, people are shifting towards sustainable approaches for everything. Green IoT can facilitate this by focusing on energy consumption, and resource usage and leveraging this tool to support sustainable goals.
As we discussed in this article, IoT is not only transforming our everyday lives with smart applications and innovations, but it is playing a part in tackling global challenges. The possibilities with this technology are endless and exciting. So, It is safe to conclude that the IoT landscape in 2025 and beyond promises to be more connected, intelligent, and reliable for all industries.
Gaurav Rathore
