Today, the IoT market comprises different devices ranging from consumer use such as smart cameras, routers, and TVs, to heavy industrial devices such as in manufacturing and transportation.
The modern IoT uses data analysis, networking, and artificial intelligence to improve products and services. It facilitates efficient automation and granular analysis within a system. The IOT capitalizes on software advancements, lower hardware costs, and changing attitudes to technology. IoT consulting partners play a pivotal role at this juncture for innovators who believe in transforming the future with IoT.
However, choosing a trusted IoT consulting partner is easier said than done. With the complexities and the cost that IoT demands, how do you choose a reliable IoT consulting partner that assures your growth?
In this article, I will address the questions that you should ask your IoT consultant or IoT consulting firm.
1. What sets your platform apart from the others?
In comparing various IoT platforms, it is critical to determine the fundamental points of distinction that make them distinct.
One effective way to start this evaluation is by asking a crucial question: ” What sets your platform apart?”
This question enables you to identify the capabilities of an IoT platform and the types of applications it targets. At the same time, many IoT software providers might refer to such features as a ‘no-code, drag-and-drop’ approach for developing IoT applications and dashboards, but this one is quite common among platforms.
2. Do you have a team for the IoT set in place?
When embarking on an IoT project, an important question should be: “Do you have a team for the IoT set to ensure the project success?”
A good IoT team should be interdisciplinary, consisting of skills in networking, applications, system infrastructure, database/storage and operations. IoT initiatives necessitate cross-domain cooperation to be successful.
Additionally, consider the project’s importance. If the scope of your project is new and unique, it will be a trendsetter followed by others. As such, it is important to determine a sincere business problem and have well-defined purposes for the project.
This specific approach guarantees that the project becomes popular and prominent, attracting support from diverse sections of organizations such as Operations, Information Security, and IT.
3. What inspired you the most after adopting IoT in your company or business?
It should be stated that after the implementation of IoT in your company, the main inspiration is associated with various positive effects shared by many businesses. These include better ROI, quicker implementation and workflow, better work planning, and the capacity to make rational decisions.
IoT enables companies to harness IOT data from several connected devices. Having a solid research foundation for your IoT strategy is essential, or it may lead to project failure risks.
For your IoT project to be sustainable, a detailed plan should be outlined explaining how it will help improve the business and customers. The ultimate objective should be to have the appropriate information when and where needed, improving business intelligence and making informed choices. However, this method creates more value for your end customer and leads to success in the IoT journey.
4. Have any of the real-time IoT systems you have implemented in our industry been successful?
IoT projects typically fall into two main categories:
- Externally focused projects: These include the introduction of new, linked products for the consumer market.
- Internally focused projects: These revolve around retrofitting an organization’s current resources.
All these IoT projects involve using intelligent connected sensor devices and need specific knowledge from your prospective partner. Most vendors succeed in the consumer or enterprise segments, for which there are different needs and challenges.
5. Do you have the right expertise to handle IoT projects?
Assessing if your IoT partner can scale with you over time is essential.
As your solution is gaining traction in a dynamic market, such technical improvements would be inevitable. The perfect IoT partner should exhibit qualities of conformability to these changes. It can be a partial makeover of your current solution if you need to add new features or integrate other devices.
Working from zero or involving various third parties at a later point can create inefficiencies, delays, and unpredictable cost overruns. As a result, working with an IoT provider that can grow your solution as it matures is essential.
Also, evaluate their project management capability remotely because this can be vital in establishing the long-term success of your IoT projects.
6. Do you use the right tools to adhere to data privacy and security laws?
Determining the trust level of your IoT partner when it comes to data security is crucial. Due to the constant shifts in the IoT landscape, solid data security is not a matter of choice. Your IoT ecosystem should be secured, restricted, and with strong security measures.
To evaluate candidates for partnership, they must be aware of data encryption, device protection, and security measures for an employee’s device and cloud storage. IoT solutions are a complicated multi-layered process that involves technology stacks, data collection, storage facilities, transmission mechanisms, connectivity, and cloud services, among others.
The partner you select must be exact and meticulous throughout this whole mechanism and its entities to minimize the chances of data breaches. Furthermore, scrutinizing their security audit process and tools is necessary to ensure they can provide confidentiality of your information.
7. How can the Internet of Things benefit your business?
As the phenomenon of IoT continues to rapidly evolve with each passing day, it provides infinite business opportunities. Apart from the enhancements in the quality of software and hardware, IoT is transforming infrastructure, communication, as well as connection. This growth is increasing. IoT projects that used to be impossible can now be quickly done without much funds and with little work needed.
With this dynamic background, organizations are trying to find IoT solutions that provide a smoother and more natural user experience. Today, people are attracted to less overt interfaces and more prognostic. They like technology to function as a living service, which can predict consumer needs without manual inputs or through screens and devices.
The increasing prevalence of smart technology has created a diverse landscape for deployment, creating limitless prospects for businesses to streamline operations and achieve greater efficiencies while supplying innovative services to the end consumer.
8. Is there a strategy for your IoT project?
IoT is a way, not merely an end. To be successful, a well-planned and coherent business strategy that focuses on the future is required, not just one project alone.
With a detailed roadmap for your IoT project, you always make long-term decisions and expect potential sustained results. This foresighted planning makes it convenient to deal with any future costs.
A solid plan and path provide the necessary data on your future project, including its power, development ability, and overall capacity.
Conclusion
During an IoT journey, the right consulting company could be just what a business needs to realize its IoT vision. While seeking a partner, these eight key questions you ask yourself would help ascertain harmony in the goals and expertise necessary for success.
At Avigna, we understand that business challenges and requirements are unique. We curate a tailored consulting approach to address your specific challenges and capitalize on your opportunities. Contact us for an expert IoT Consultation. Follow us on LinkedIn.
