tsi logo

SEARCH

IoT Bootcamp

Understanding the internet of things or IoT

As TSI begins to introduce software applications for connected instruments, our sales representatives must be able to explain the value of the solution. In order to do this, you must understand the underlying technologies at a high level. This learning module is intended to provide this basic information.

1. The Internet of Things (IoT)

You have undoubtedly heard the term Internet of Things or IoT. But what exactly is it? This 2-minute video provides a high level explanation showing its applicability to smart cities. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEsKZGOxNKw

2. Smart Cities

The previous video showed a few interesting ‘smart city’ applications. But air quality monitoring is also an important aspect of municipal monitoring, and one that TSI will be able to support. This 4-minute video describes how London is using air quality monitors to improve the lives of their residents. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L06Btv0SXcI

3. Indoor Air Quality Monitoring

Air quality monitoring can also be used for ‘smart buildings,’ as discussed in this brief 1-minute video. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfN2bzTrygg

4. Industry 4.0

One of the most popular IoT applications in today’s market is for predictive maintenance of equipment. This 2-minute video explains predictive maintenance as a component of the Industry 4.0 initiative for ‘smart factories.’ Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACH1uqdhU_o

5. Advanced Data Analysis & Machine Learning

Displaying data from connected instruments certainly provides value to our customers. But we can also apply advanced data analysis to add important new insights that are difficult for humans to ascertain. This company explains how they use data analytics to save operational costs of water treatment plants in this 5-minute video. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smsgPAN8890

6. Big Data

You have probably heard the term ‘big data.’ Big data is really about tapping into Internet-based data sources like weather, traffic, or mortality rates. By integrating big data with the data that our instruments collect, we can provide new value to our customers. This 3-minute video explains how Beijing couples traffic and metrology data to estimate air quality levels at any specific location in the city. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf4B-xvfJHo

7. Wireless Connectivity

Instruments must often be connected wirelessly since hard-wired connections are not always practical. There are many wireless protocols available, more than we can dive into here. This 3-minute video discusses two of the most common for IoT—Zigbee and WiFi. It explains the important selection factors between the two. This discussion will give you a general idea of what connectivity questions must be answered for wireless networks. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buV11ZPJ7MQ

8. Cloud Computing

You have certainly heard the term cloud computing and you probably know that it is built off large data centers from Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and others. But why is cloud computing such a big deal? This 5-minute video explains how cloud computing has made computing power far more affordable and reliable for application providers like TSI. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJncFirhjPg

9. Encryption

There is one final technical concept you should be aware of in IoT—encryption.  Encryption is critical for security over the public Internet and wireless networks. This 3 -minute video explains encryption at a high level. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB_lMXb5UHo