We live in a world driven by technology, where our homes, offices, and even our cars are seamlessly interconnected, communicating congruously. From smart thermostats to wearable health devices, the IoT revolution is transforming how we live and work, and in this ever-connected world of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, managing them remotely isn’t just a convenience—it’s become a necessity.
Learn how to control IoT devices from anywhere, ensuring your devices work seamlessly with just a tap. In this article, we unravel the secrets of managing and controlling IoT devices from the palm of your hand, simplifying the intricacies behind remote control technology.
So, without further ado, let’s learn how to control and manage physically dispersed endpoints remotely.
Controlling IoT Devices
Here is a quick rundown of all the steps required to control and manage IoT devices.
- Choose IoT Devices
- Setup the IoT Hub
- Connect IoT Devices
- Install A Mobile App
- Create Accounts
- Pair, Name, And Group Devices
- Control And Test
How to Control IoT Devices Remotely: The Definite Guide
Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become an integral part of our lives, and managing them remotely is crucial for convenience and efficiency.
So, let’s dive into how to set them up so we can control and manage them.
Setting Up Remote Access
Let us start with the basics, i.e., basic setup of devices and networks, degree of compatibility, etc.
- Ensure Device Compatibility: Check if your IoT devices are compatible with remote access protocols and verify if the devices have the required firmware or software that supports remote control.
- Secure Network Connection: Set up a secure Wi-Fi network with strong encryption protocols. Enable a robust firewall and update router firmware for enhanced security and secure transmission of data.
Internet of Things (IoT) Device Management Platforms
Then comes the phase of choosing or deciding on Internet of Things device management platforms.
- Choose a Management Platform: Research and select a reliable IoT device management platform (we have given the list later in this blog). Consider factors such as scalability, security features, and user interface while picking one for you.
- Platform Registration and Device Onboarding: As usual, register your devices on the chosen management platform. Follow onboarding procedures to add devices securely.
Remote Control Protocols
These protocols would be the backbone of the whole system, so understand and implement them effectively.
- Understanding Protocols: Learn about common remote control protocols like MQTT, CoAP, or HTTP and understand the security implications and efficiency of each protocol.
- Implementing Protocols: Configure IoT devices to communicate congruously using selected protocols. Set up secure communication channels, such as SSL/TLS, for data encryption.
Mobile Applications and Cloud Services
Though there are many ways or user interfaces to control or manage, mobile applications are the most common and convenient of them.
- Internet of Things (IoT) Mobile Apps: Install dedicated or corresponding IoT control apps on your mobile devices. Ensure apps are from reliable sources and have positive user reviews.
- Cloud Services Integration: Integrate IoT devices with cloud services for centralized control so you can maintain uniformity across all the devices and ensure all devices are running the same version of the software. Utilize cloud platforms like AWS IoT, Google Cloud IoT, or Microsoft Azure IoT.
Security Measures
Everything on the internet is more susceptible to cyberattacks than ever, so it is important to keep that in mind.
- Device Authentication and Authorization: Implement strong authentication methods like multi-factor authentication or other authentication methods available so there is no chance of a breach. Define user roles and permissions for device access so everyone has access required.
- Regular Security Updates: Keep IoT device firmware and software up-to-date to patch security vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates where possible for timely security patches; doing so will allow you to have the same software running on all the devices.
Remote Monitoring and Troubleshooting
- Real-time Monitoring. Set up real-time monitoring of device status, usage patterns, and potential issues so you can take prompt, required action if any hiccup, mishap, or disruption occurs. Utilize alerts and notifications for immediate response to anomalies.
- Remote Troubleshooting. Enable remote diagnostics and troubleshooting tools. Get the hang of it; this will come in handy a lot.
If there is something related to configuration, you can get help from a company offering app development services; there are IoT experts available who can help you out.
Purposes of IoT Device Management
Here are the top primary reasons organizations want to get their IoT devices remotely managed.
- Provisioning and onboarding
- Authentication
- Configuration
- Monitoring and Maiantaince
- Diagnostics and Generating Status Alerts
- Control
Remote IoT Device Management Platforms
IoT device management platforms streamline the process for organizations of IoT device management. The benefits of the platform include remote provisioning, configuration, authentication, control, and monitoring of IoT devices. Here are the top industry-standard IoT device management platforms.
- Azure IoT Central
- Datadog
- Azure IoT Hub
- Cloud IoT Core
- Oracle IoT Asset Monitoring Cloud Service
- IBM Watson IoT Platform
Automation and security are two features of IoT device management platforms that are very alluring to organizations. Their data is a gold mine, with a tremendous amount of data that they can’t compromise on. Plus, they want the whole process to be smooth and seamless, and there are no lags or delays in the routine operations.
Protocols for IoT Devices: Remote Control and Management
- MQTT
- CoAP
- HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol/Secure)
- AMQP
Ways to Control and Manage IoT Devices
- Mobile Applications (most common approach to controlling and managing)
- Voice Control
- Web Interfaces
- Remote Control Protocol
- NFC
- Bluetooth and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
- Physical Controls
Procedures Related to IoT Remote Device Management
Sensors for collecting data, connectivity for the transmission of data to the cloud, data processing for churning out actionable insights, and the last thing is the user interface for delivering information to users.
Strategies for Acquiring IoT Device Remote Management
Though IoT device management and control have their own perks, it is quite crucial to ace the whole process, so it is indispensable to do it right.
Adoption of Centralized Management Platforms
Consider centralized management platforms as a point from which the whole control system is diverging. It helps maintain uniformity across devices, i.e., centralized configuration impacts all the devices, giving you a list of all devices, status, locations, etc. Plus, you can set up real-time supervision of device health, traffic, exceptions, anomalies, and alerts notifying you about malfunctions or security breaches.
Enable Auto-Updates
IoT is not an established area of technology yet, so you keep getting updates on a daily basis, you know, quite frequently as compared to updates of other software, as fixing and patching happen. Enabling automated over-the-air updates for devices ensures all the devices are running on the latest version of the software.
Ensure Robust Industry-Standard Security Measures
Private wireless gateways keep the route between the device and the server encrypted. They let you create isolated, separate networks for IoT devices in your business. Enhanced and advanced security is pivotal, as you are always one attack away from the brink of collapse due to loopholes or shortcomings in the system.
Cash-Out Data Integration and Analytics for Rich Operational Insights
There is a tremendous amount of data floating on mediums to and from devices all the time. You can capitalize on the data for various purposes, i.e., extracting insights for further strategizing.
Get the Hang of Troubleshooting and Maintenance Procedures
Having secure, exclusive access to devices is pivotal to remote IoT device management and control. Run automated diagnostic scripts that can help you identify common issues. Being familiar with strategies and knowledge for tackling sudden disruptions helps you resolve issues in considerably less time.
Benefits of Internet of Things (IoT) for Business and in General
Invaluable Data
The data being collected is a gold mine itself; businesses can leverage that data to create highly captivating and high-converting advertising campaigns and focus on more relevant products.
Let Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Get into Groove
Translate collected data into valuable insights leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to anticipate likely incidents so you are always ready to shoot on the call, helping you give prompt customer service and foster a long-term relationship driven by trust and loyalty.
Enhanced Security
Real-time and continuous supervision of digital and physical infrastructure improves overall performance, improves efficiency, and reduces safety risks.
Help You Become Customer-centric
You can leverage IoT technologies to play smart, i.e., stock up for the imminent stockout or pile up preemptively on trending items going to sell out to avoid stock unavailability.
Connecting the Digital and Physical Worlds Like Never Before
IoT seamlessly blurs the line between the digital and physical worlds, creating new business models and revenue streams and bringing what we call and strive for: time to value and value for money.
Challenges Come with Managing and Controlling Remotely
Though remote management has a plethora of advantages, it also has numerous challenges. Here are the top notable ones.
Security Hazards
As per the survey, over 50% of organizations fall victim to attempted cyberattacks targeting their IoT devices. One breach and your whole fleet of devices becomes hostage. The first two months of 2023 witnessed a 41% surge in attacks compared to the previous year. You have to be highly protective of your system to ensure seamless and robust IT operations.
Maintaining Network Reliability
You have to have a top-notch network for smooth and seamless remote IoT device management; any downtime or congestion can potentially cause delays and disruptions in operations.
Keeping Up with Power and Storage
Power and storage play a pivotal role in smooth IoT operations, and it becomes quite worrisome if you are operating afar from the location if these both are efficiently utilized.
Effective Data Management
Managing, optimizing, analyzing, and deriving insights for your business demands robust industry-standard tools and smart strategies.
What is IoT? It is a network of linked devices that allows communication between the cloud and devices and among the devices themselves. High-bandwidth telecommunication and not-so-costly or inexpensive computer chips make it affordable and within reach.
What makes up an IoT system?
- Smart Devices: Like your television, security camera, exercise equipment, etc.
- IoT Application: As devices are linked and data flows between them, IoT applications analyze data and make informed decisions, so each IoT device keeps getting those decisions coming to them and responds intelligently.
- A graphic UI: Something like a mobile app is used to manage an IoT device or array of IoT devices.
IoT in Daily Life
You must be wondering where IoT devices are facilitating me in my life; well, your toothbrushes, vacuums, television, security cameras, exercise equipment, cars, machines, etc., have sensors integrated that collect data in real-time and respond to your input accordingly, like YouTube or Netflix recommends to you based on your past history and browsing patterns.
For example, connected devices can outright change your entire morning routine. When you hit the snooze button, what if your alarm clock automatically gets the coffee machine to turn on and open your window blinds? Wouldn’t it be nice if your refrigerator auto-detects finished groceries and orders them for home delivery? And what if every morning, your smart oven tells you the menu for the day—it might even cook pre-assembled ingredients and make sure your lunch is ready?
Coming out of home, what if your smartwatch schedules meetings as your connected car automatically sets the GPS to stop for a fuel refill? The opportunities are endless in an IoT world!
And how about a low-maintenance solution that lets delivery boys come in to deliver parcels so your father, living afar from you, does not have to go down and up the steep stairs, helping thwart package thieves?
Conclusion
The Internet of Things (IoT) has a wide-ranging impact on human life and work. It allows machines to do more heavy lifting, take over monotonous tasks, and make life more healthy, productive, and comfortable. Controlling and managing IoT devices streamlines processes and procedures and fosters smooth cohesiveness. You do not have to be an expert or know how to control IoT devices; you just have to have resources if you are incognizant and want to get it implemented. By consulting with top app development firms like Celect Studios, you can acquire your very own IoT application. If you have a brilliant idea, you can get in touch with us right away.
