The benefits of using a multi-cloud strategy for IoT platforms
As corporations continue to adopt cloud-based infrastructure at an accelerated pace, the decline of traditional data centre outsourcing persists. According to Gartner, this trend effectively illustrates the fundamental shift to hybrid infrastructure services. The same analysts suggest that by 2020, cloud, hosting, and traditional infrastructure services will garner equitable levels of corporate spending.
However, the transition to cloud computing is only part of the story. More than ever, companies have begun to explore multi-cloud strategies to host their most critical applications. This trend is the key finding in a recent study from Forrester and Virtustream. The study found that 86 per cent of respondents see their current cloud strategy as multi-cloud. Further, the vast majority of companies plan to maintain or increase the vendors, resources, and staff they devote to cloud infrastructure.
As companies continue to pursue increased flexibility, cost savings, and improved application performance, investment in multi-cloud strategies is likely to grow. For those companies operating in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, this trend generates both opportunities and obstacles. But before exploring this topic further, it’s crucial to understand how an IoT platform differs from a cloud deployment strategy.
According to KaaIoT, “an IoT platform is a multi-layer technology that enables straightforward provisioning, management, and automation of connected devices within the Internet of Things universe.”
An IoT Platform connects hardware devices to the cloud by using flexible connectivity options in combination with security mechanisms and data processing capabilities.
Traditional IoT platforms act as a simple middleware solution, bridging the gap between the hardware and application level. However, following the advent of cloud computing, IoT platforms have become far more complex. Modern IoT platforms are often built on cloud infrastructure, dramatically improving scalability, security, and customisation.
Despite the undeniable benefits of modern IoT platforms, challenges remain, especially in the context of a multi-cloud strategy.
Many cloud providers do not offer their IoT services on other cloud platforms. As such, companies may be forced to use a specific IoT platform if they’ve already committed to a cloud provider. The opposite is also true. Companies may need to use a particular cloud provider to access their preferred IoT platform.
