As 2017 kicks into full gear and a particularly interesting 2016 fades into the rearview mirror, we took a look around the IIoT landscape to see what this year might potentially have in store. We will be unveiling five IIoT-related predictions throughout this week and into next, so stay tuned and let us know what you think!
Yesterday, we started our predictions by looking at the potential development of Fog Computing at the Edge and its impact on cybersecurity.
IIoT App Development in 2017
In 2016, Industrial IoT app development made headlines as the technology landscape continued to evolve. App developers are becoming increasingly aware of the opportunity to create third-party apps for industrial and critical infrastructure operations. While the demand for Smart Data increases and organizations work to update legacy systems, particularly at edge networks, our next 2017 prediction is all about IIoT app development.
The prediction
IIoT app development programs will begin to outgrow/outpace consumer IoT app development programs within the next three years. Third party IIoT application development at the edge (i.e., Fog Computing) specifically will eliminate need for big data transmission capabilities. The ability to filter specific data needs directly at the source means less of a need to collect all the data for broad analysis.
There are a number of industry drivers that support the prediction. Here’s our take on the big ones:
Smarter Data, Not Bigger Data
The ability to filter specific data needs directly at the source will reduce the need to collect all the data for analysis as Big Data transitions towards Smart Data. Smart Data Organizations within IIoT will develop applications that enable them to get only the data they need, when they need it. This will drive faster response times and Cloud resources will be able to take on more data intensive tasks like trends and historical analysis.
The Developer Benefits
The attraction towards the more lucrative business of developing apps for IIoT networks will drive a lot of growth in the area of IIoT app development. Developers will also have the opportunity help solve major infrastructure issues that accompany big initiatives, such as Smart Cities and improvements to critical infrastructure projects. These initiatives are likely to drive more investments into IIoT app development, creating new business opportunities for developers.
Cybersecurity Initiatives
The demand for cybersecurity will drive the growth of IIoT app development as organizations work to prevent DoS and hacking attacks – especially on legacy systems. Leveraging cybersecurity apps to support those existing systems will help organizations protect their data and improve operations.
Interoperability and Open Standards
Systems today require more interoperability between disparate and oftentimes outdated technologies and systems. Because of the business demands for interoperability, the IIoT network impact on IT systems, the enterprises will require more software solutions for enhanced visibility and control to bring everyone and every system onto a single toolchain. Because there are more open standards and modern technologies being deployed, IT groups will need new business apps to coincide with the apps deployed along the IIoT systems.
It will be interesting to see how each of these moving parts impacts IIoT app development over the next year. Stay tuned for our next prediction focused on IT/OT Convergence and the challenges of recruiting the next generation of the workforce.
