IoT

Internet of Things

All people connected with the internet make up an important network together. When the Internet of Things (IoT) is fully integrated, the network also enters the dimension of 'things'. We then have a platform where people and 'things' work together to strengthen each other.

The power of the IoT lies in extracting, collecting and using valuable data. Sensors handle the extraction and collection and actuators make it possible to control the systems remotely from a business application.

When data is collected more frequently and more structurally in an automated way, we get higher-quality data with a lower error margin. This will then take the understanding and control of your environment, the so-called 'situational awareness' and 'span of control', to unprecedented heights.

IoT

Applications for IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the way in which companies are designing, constructing and managing their business. The IoT has applications in many areas, and has been proven to be useful in a range of sectors. We have compiled some potential applications as examples, with a large number of use cases in specific industries.

To build or renovate?

The most important IoT drivers are the development of new business models and the expansion and optimization of existing business models. The integration of the IoT allows you to create new models and even launch new revenue models. IoT can also be used to improve the decision-making process or cut costs.

The most important drivers

data

Extracting new data

You can gain meaningful information from newly extracted data, which you can then convert into knowledge to make well-informed, justified decisions. Artificial intelligence can connect unique insights with a certain combination of information in order to make services smarter.

Verdienmodel

New revenue model

The data obtained from 'things' can be used in your own business application, but can also be sold to third parties.

Customer

Customer experience and engagement

Clearer information (e.g. about the ETA) and its proactive delivery to the consumer can boost customer satisfaction. It can also increase the customer's understanding of the lifespan of services and products (e.g. smart products).

Efficiëntie

Increasing efficiency

You can use the captured data in real time in the business process to make better and faster decisions. Better planning, better stock management or proactive maintenance will result in considerable savings. You can also use the same data to automate certain steps in the process to free up some of your employees' valuable time.

Follow

Follow-up assets

If sensors are applied to the company's most valuable assets, a status update is always available. 'Things' can be checked and monitored remotely and their location can always be tracked and traced.

The architecture

IoT requires IT architecture that is ready to respond to rapid developments. The required architecture roughly covers three main areas.

Business

  • Transfer data in the right format to the applications that support the processes or visualize the data (dashboard).
  • Use APIs, an enterprise service bus, Cloud, Mobile and so on.

Platform

  • Connect things with a platform
  • Collect data
  • Keep data in databases with sufficient storage capacity
  • Process data and/or add intelligence to the data until it is accessible to the user

Things

  • Device information (ID)
  • Data collection method: local and long-range connectivity with Wi-Fi, 4G, LoRa, Sigfox, LTE-M, NB-IOT and so on.
  • Data collected by the device
  • Accessibility: QR code, barcodes, through unique numbering, IP address and so on.
  • Localization with GPS + BLE
  • Communication: direct, indirect, through which technologies (e.g. speech recognition) and so on.
Architectuur

Safety first

IoT requires clear security guidelines. First, the devices and the network used for communication must be secure. You should also consider who gets access to the collected data, how the data is used and what the level of sensitivity is. The GPDR is applicable to personal data only, but since it is a hot topic, users should know who to contact if they have any questions. It is best to develop a policy in this regard.

The use of technologies such as micro-segmentation offers adaptive security based on profiles, so that the various IoT devices, sensors and actuators can only gain access to the necessary underlying applications and servers.

Our expertise

Realdolmen is one of the few ICT partners in Belgium that can handle all aspects of an IoT project. We have the knowledge and infrastructure to make such projects a success. Our integration skills and understanding of how data can be converted into insights have already been put to good use in several major Belgian reference projects.

We do not only offer advice; we also carry out IoT projects. We work with partners (as in an ecosystem) to build your end-to-end solution. This allows us to further develop the available platforms until they fully meet your needs. Realdolmen has also developed its own platform that can be implemented quickly and easily in Azure, AWS, Google, IBM and so on. It is modular and therefore easy to personalize according to your project and wishes. It is also compatible with almost all devices or data types and it is scalable (Cloud, VPC, Hybrid). We can also integrate your IoT architecture with your current IT landscape or with IoT platforms in the cloud.

Our IoT experts will be happy to guide you through the world of IoT. We will help you with the analyses, design, development and management of these complex systems.

In need of a sparring partner?

sparringpartner

We use methods such as interviews or an ideation workshop to find out together how we can build an IoT business case in your company. We will find any business processes that would benefit from 'things', establish how sensors and actuators can be used and so on.
Want to know more? At the bottom of this page you can find our IoT Scan & Roadmap.

Demoroom & exploration labo

demo

You can come and visit our demo room of completed projects and future solutions in Ghent. We are developing the demo room together with our technology partners, universities and colleges. It offers our customers the opportunity to try out their innovative initiatives.

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