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Building Internet of Things (IoT) applications can be tricky for businesses, which is why distributor Arrow Electronics is hoping to make things easier for OEMs.
The distributor aims to do so through its new partnership with Solair, a new technology innovator firm.
Solair is an application platform for the Internet of Things, which says it helps to make businesses smarter by connecting them with their products through IoT applications.
For example, customers using Solair will be able to see data using the Solair ‘IoT In A Box’ starter kit, which provides applications needed to connect machines and sensors to a cloud service.
In addition, security features, management tools, and support for scalability are also included with Solair.
Amir Mobayen, VP and general manager for OEM computing solutions at Arrow EMEA, said: “This is the latest success in our strategy to offer our customers best-in-class solutions in the IoT arena, which is a fast-growing market.
“Solair has tremendous energy as a dynamic technology innovator, and the company fits perfectly with our multi-faceted competencies spanning design and integration, global logistics and long-term support.”
Tom Davis, CEO of Solair, added: “Arrow customers will be able to access the power of the IoT quickly and efficiently by adopting our game-changing IoT Application Platform, helping to increase revenues and lower operational costs.
“We look forward to working closely with Arrow and its team of experts to accelerate the adoption of IoT in companies of all sizes."
Although Arrow aims to help improve the creation of IoT connected devices, some customers are still wary of sharing data through such devices.
According to a survey carried out by professional services company KPMG, out of 1,000 UK adults 60 per cent said they would not want their health data from an internet-connected fridge, smartwatch, or mobile phone, to be shared or stored.
In comparison, three-quarters said that they would be happy to wear a device that monitors their health and reports it back to their GP, but only seven per cent revealed that they would be happy for that information to be shared with their employer.
Caroline Rivett, director of cyber security practice at KPMG, commented: “The survey highlights that although UK consumers are happy to use wearable devices to report their health statuses back to their GP, they are less than comfortable for the data to be shared and stored with other entities, including healthcare providers.
“People do not want to feel like they are being ‘tracked’ for marketing purposes. Companies need to think long and hard about how they talk to their customers and potential customers, or there is a real risk they will become alienated rather than driving new business.”
Although some customers are still concerned about connected devices, it seems the industry isn’t one to be ignored with more and more firms embracing the trend and launching their own services and devices.
