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Things to consider before making an IoT app

Matthew Hunt, CEO at Apadmi Enterprise, the enterprise app development division of the UK’s leading mobile app developer, Apadmi, gives his insight into what developers must consider before embarking on the development of an IoT app. 

The Internet of Things essentially allows for an increase in machine-to-machine communication and requires a network of data-generating sensors to send information to a cloud server. This information can then be analysed and translated into useful, digestible data.

The increased interconnectivity of devices has practical application in a number of sectors, for example it could be used to help to improve the healthcare services through remote sensors and can be harnessed by marketers to help better target customers.

However despite its potential, at present, developing an Internet of Things app can take years as developers often have to start from scratch. Developers considering embarking on the development of such an app will first have to consider how to incorporate and streamline a number of different elements including the hardware, ensuring consistent connectivity and an ability to communicate across multiple devices. However, there are a number of steps developers can take to ensure their Internet of Things app has the best chance of uptake as possible:

Learn from failures

It is unlikely that the first attempt at developing such a complicated app will produce perfect results. With this in mind, it is wise to look into languages and technologies that promote quick-scale development, such as Google Weave. Google Weave was announced in May and was built as a common language for devices. It can be used to help different applications in the home or at work understand each other.

Strong connectivity is key

The Internet of Things relies heavily on unbroken connectivity and so it is important to question whether the app can accommodate updates occurring on multiple devices without compromising the user experience.

Opt for technology that enables rapid prototyping

Whilst many apps are still being built in Java, this language cannot always provide the flexibility needed for an Internet of Things app that relies so heavily on efficiency. It would therefore be advised instead to use languages such as Scala and Ruby, which enable rapid development due to their more advanced language features.

Use binary messages

Switching to custom binary encoding, instead of ASCII encoding, (the standard code for representing English characters as numbers), can help to significantly reduce the app’s bandwidth requirements, which in turn will help to lower costs.

Outsource wherever possible

There are a number of new tools available on the market that can work as the foundation for building an Internet of Things app. Enlisting the help of these tools, for example a tool to provide an easy way to make device messages JavaScript Object Notation accessible, can allow developers to focus their efforts into other aspects of the project, which in turn can increase efficiency.

Developers considering building an Internet of Things app should also consider consumer concerns regarding privacy. Having so many connected devices in one home or workplace can increase the risk from hackers. If not properly protected the app could be a way for hackers to access multiple devices at once. And the large amounts of information that they could be able to gather from this is a major issue that needs addressing.

A recent report by Beecham Research has called on the technology industry to act now on increasing the security of The Internet of Things. The report suggests that in order to move forward, the whole technology industry must unite to ensure that security is in-built and guaranteed from start to finish. At present consumers and businesses are wary of this interconnectivity between devices. And so developers of the app, as well as working to lessen the risk of security breaches, must also consider how best to inform potential customers on the steps they are taking to adequately protect them.

Once developers are able to finely tune their app development, and privacy issues are properly addressed, then the Internet of Things has the potential to revolutionise the whole technological landscape and help improve the lives of millions of people around the world.

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