何謂 IoT 裝置管理軟體？

Internet of Things (IoT) device management is the practice of managing all IoT devices within an ecosystem. This includes processes for provisioning, authenticating, configuring, maintenance, monitoring, and diagnosing connected devices.

Modern cloud-based IoT device management solutions offer web application services that locate connected devices, quickly register devices, organize devices, and remotely manage devices including permissions, firmware updates, troubleshoot functionality, and IoT device state queries.
IoT administrators are concerned with several challenges, which IoT management software works to help them overcome:

• Data Management Challenges — IoT networks generate large volumes of data that must be delivered to central systems, analyzed, and stored. For IoT admins, this may present storage, bandwidth, and processing challenges. Additionally, companies that rely on mobile technology must also contend with wireless and cellular challenges.
• Power Management Challenges — While IoT systems overall can consume tremendous amounts of energy, devices that move about autonomously present unique power challenges. Battery life, recharging, and maintenance are all concerns that IoT management software works to address and help with.
• Device Monitoring Challenges — In the normal lifespan of sensors and devices, they are onboarded into the IoT network, monitored throughout their performance, and then eventually retired. This means that networks must be sensitive to the many different IoT devices from different vendors and how they integrate with the IoT network.
• Device Connectivity Challenges — The more devices that are connected to a network the more bandwidth is consumed. Creating a network with scalable connectivity is an ongoing challenge for expanding IoT networks. A secondary challenge arises as additional service costs, particularly if organizations turn to outside networks to maintain connectivity.
• Cybersecurity Challenges — The more devices that are connected to a network the more attack vectors exist for hackers to make attempts. This is also an ongoing challenge for IoT admins, but by adhering to best practices, and using advanced cybersecurity techniques, can help to protect IoT networks.

IoT device management software packages offer standard benefits that allow businesses to manage their entire IoT network. As networks become more complex, and sprawl to edge areas, new features are emerging that allow greater insight and control over the network's performance.

• Ecosystem Security — Device management software can integrate with security packages and provide full network and security visibility.
• Edge Intelligence — Edge services can send real-time data insights to management teams.
• Network Optimization — Analytics and machine learning can help optimize devices near and at the edge. Optimization can extend device life while improving network performance.
• Network Scalability — Automotive onboarding allows networks to expand and contract as needed.
• Remote Management — IT administrators can reach out to any device on the network from anywhere in the world and apply updates or troubleshoot.

IoT device management software is especially applicable in industrial, consumer, and commercial applications that have large and diverse inventories of IoT devices. Organizations within these spaces have both benefited from current technology, as well as pioneered new IoT technologies.

Industrial Applications — The ability to connect large and diverse industrial device fleets is a game-changer for many industries. Manufacturing remains the largest investor in IoT technologies, relying on robotics, and globally integrated systems that respond to real-time demands of the market, and availability of supplies. Logistics have similar demands as manufacturing, and the advantages of IoT have helped these companies achieve efficiencies that were previously or consistently unobtainable. Close behind investments of manufacturing and logistics are utilities in smart spaces which have turned to smart grids for efficiency improvements in the light of ecological and economic demands.

Consumer Applications — IoT devices have penetrated the consumer markets, a space that expects to see rapid growth. IoT devices are appearing in the home and office, and include consumer electronics, smart assistance, smart appliances, and now many personal vehicles are manufactured to be IoT enabled.

Commercial Applications — Commercial IoT has grown alongside industrial applications, and Healthcare has been pouring investment into improving their IoT systems. Healthcare applications have been exceptionally groundbreaking, such as vital inventory management, especially in cases of vaccines, or drugs with short expiration times. Additionally, IoT has enabled customer-centric approaches that have exceptionally improved client experiences.

When choosing an IoT device management software, start by understanding how IoT will impact the business's needs. Big companies that have established IoT networks often develop their systems in-house for custom applications. For businesses where IoT device management is new to their operations, while choosing a device management platform (DMP) with the necessary features is important, also consider these other criteria in the decision process.

1. Adopt Software That Integrates North and South — Effective device management platforms (DMPs) need to easily integrate with current hardware and software, but also must ensure that future devices can readily onboard to the network.
2. Adopt Software That Monitors Device Life Cycle — Businesses can achieve much greater efficiencies when they understand the life cycle of every device on their networks. Lifecycle insights help teams anticipate critical device events, ensuring uptime, reducing maintenance costs, and scheduling for replacements and network expansions.
3. Adopt Software That Aligns Architecture With Business — The architecture of the DMP must align with current and future business goals. It can become costly if future plans require the shuttering of a product simply because it was not designed with new capabilities in mind. Security, scalability, flexibility are all aspects to look for in a DMP.
4. Inspect The Vendors Business — Before buying from a vendor, do a thorough evaluation of their business, looking at product capabilities, expertise, company health, partners, and other forward-thinking factors that will ensure they will remain to support your vital business purchase.