Cloud Computing: There’s No IoT Without Me
The Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere, from microchipped pets and cattle to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. But these, at times, lifesaving innovations were only possible with the ever-exciting cloud computing technology. Cloud computing has now become the basis of providing shared computing resources, such as applications, computing, storage, networking, development, and more, through standardization and automation. The significance of the cloud goes beyond what meets the eye. The cloud is to create some of the most extended communication bases through the transfer of data. Cloud-based IoT will be used efficiently to manage revenues, resources, and assets, not businesses alone, but governments through the digital urbanization of cities. Birthing the new generation of smart cities.
A Quick Crash Course
Great examples of the cloud are Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. While personal, both are cloud storage and file-sharing platforms. Items in these “warehouses” don’t necessarily exist on hardware: the versions are valid, downloadable, and, most importantly, functional. Cloud computing makes resources easier to access and use through standardization and automation.
- Standardization: Implementing services using a consistent approach supported by consistent interfaces.
- Automation: Process triggered based on business rules, resource availability, and security demands, helping with capacity planning and overall workload management. It is essential to support a self-service provisioning model and to promote efficiency. Automation is an exciting feature of the cloud as it returns the provisioned service to the resource pool once it is no longer needed.
The cloud is prevalent among businesses even if they don’t refer to it as such. Storage alone was redefined once companies and individuals alike started using the cloud. University students, for instance, would share their notes and course materials with their peers during the pandemic.
IoT’s Not-so-Secret Weapon
The more advanced our technology becomes, the more data it will generate. Therefore, the data generation rate has become a crucial nugget of information in a cloud environment.
Case in Point: The Internet of Things
IoT is a significant player in integrating intelligent home solutions into business tools. Furthermore, it set the scene for cutting-edge solutions in many other industries, including healthcare, transportation, logistics, and energy. Cloud-based IoT seeks to make routine tasks more effective.
Considering that IoT has infiltrated mainstream technology and the market, it is reasonable to assume that it generates an impressive amount of big data. Cloud computing was made to handle such a vast amount of data. IoT and cloud computing create an integration, from a storage solution to remote data access. There are numerous areas where we can perform a fit-gap analysis between IoT and cloud computing, in addition to storage and access.
The Backbone of IoT
This partnership is remarkable, as evident by the cloud’s speed and scale’s compatibility with IoT’s networking and mobility. As a result, IoT has upgraded its game, all thanks to cloud computing. And here’s how:
Remote Processing Power
On-premise infrastructure won’t be an option for much longer. As IoT use cases extend into all industries, the need for a considerable storage process and high processing speed has become urgent. Additionally, paired with the 4G and 5G internet speed, the cloud aids developers in offloading the quick computing process.
Enhanced Security and Privacy
Dealing with data means stressing over its security and privacy. Experts have concluded that the cloud provides more preventive, corrective, and detective measures with effective authentication and encryption protocols.
No Need for On-Premises Hosting
For IoT devices, plug-and-play hosting services are essential. Subsequently, we typically require substantial hardware or equipment, making this a costly affair. The cloud computing model, however, makes it available and ready to use, removing any barriers to entry for IoT hosting companies.
Low Entry Barrier
IoT innovations require hassle-free hosting solutions. As a result, cloud computing in IoT is a suitable solution. IoT players can use the power of remote data centers thanks to cloud computing without needing on-premises hardware and software. IoT cloud computing is ideal financially because users only have to adhere to the pay-as-you-go model. It also saves a ton of money upfront.
As a result, businesses can implement massive IoT initiatives with ease. This implementation lowers the barrier to entry for the majority of IoT-based companies.
Inter-device Communication
IoT devices can communicate with each other seamlessly thanks to cloud computing. As a result, connected devices and smart devices can communicate with many reliable APIs. In this way, connected technologies are made possible by cloud computing.
The Future Is Cloud-based IoT
The year is 2000 and something, and urbanization is not what any of the visionaries of our times expected. The world has become dominated by majestic cognitive cities that generate, analyze, and send out an absurd amount of data by the hour. But how did we get here?
As tech advances, so does everything else, especially regarding cloud-based IoT. These intelligent cities of the future will undoubtedly rely on it. This information is processed and analyzed to monitor and manage several departments, including:
- Water supply systems
- Waste management
- Transportation networks
- Electric utilities
- Resource management
- Digital libraries
- Healthcare facilities
The City Run by Intelligent Tech
There are numerous applications of the cloud-based Internet of Things in Smart Cities.
Transportation
Smart cities and the transportation industry stand to gain significantly in terms of cost savings, security, route management, and improved passenger experience. Furthermore, smart cities will have a cleaner atmosphere as the number of green cars rises. The objective includes modernizing automobiles and encouraging suburbanites who drive to do so. It also includes lowering air pollution and traffic congestion.
Water Management
Smart city projects, such as wastewater management, water tracking, and environmental restoration, use water management software. In places like state-owned corporations and nearby municipalities, IoT packages are becoming more prevalent. It increases productivity, enhances the visibility of remote tanks and water management plans, and lowers the cost of monitoring and supporting their facilities. It also improves access to aging infrastructure. We’ve seen intelligent water management in all parts of the world, including South Africa.
Smart Meters
Cities can provide citizens with the most important connections to service delivery structures through the smart meter community. Now that they are intelligently connected, general applications can receive accurate meter readings in real-time through the network. The smart meter enables service providers to bill customers for the precise amount of water, energy, and fuel used.
Through the smart meter service, service providers can be more visible and track how their customers use water and electricity. Resource organizations can use a smart meter service to display real-time calls, redirect resources as necessary, or persuade customers to use less water or energy when there is a shortage.
Final Word
Cloud computing is the backbone of IoT and, by extension, that of Cognitive cities. It allows the storage and analysis of a massive amount of data regularly. Cloud-based enabling technologies could be used to access, analyze, and manage accurate data to help professionals, companies, and individuals make wiser decisions to raise the standard of living for people. Residents of smart cities use mobile devices to communicate with each other via connected cars and smart homes. The efficiency of a city’s physical systems and facilities may be increased, and costs may be decreased when devices and information are connected to them. Cities could improve resource transmission, speed up garbage collection, lower accidents, and eliminate pollutants with the help of cloud-based IoT technology.
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