Connecting Networked Devices

Chapter 7. Conclusions

The connectivity for Internet-enabled devices is well established, and the technology continues to mature at a rapid pace. Even so, we are still in the very early days of working out guidelines for how we should build connected devices.

Unlike software, there are few established patterns to follow in hardware, and most manufacturers are still feeling their way toward not just how to build a connected device, but how to ship it and support it afterward. The business models that supported the digital Internet do not work well with the IoT.¹

Going forward, you will need to make sure you completely address the key life-cycle activities of a connected device. First, in the prototyping of your device, you need to understand what the device will do, establish a framework for iteration from prototype to final device, and adopt the network architecture that optimizes for cost, availability, and bandwidth needs.

Next, you will need to recognize your device is a platform for your customers’ developers. At a minimum, someone will have to integrate it. More likely, they will have to engage in significant development and customization. Recognize this fact and embrace it, and create affordances and entry points that let your customers build something great.

You’ll also need to understand the constraints of the physical environment the device will operate in. Your enclosure is your first line of defense against a harsh environment, but you also have to think about how you ...