By
Godfrey Benjamin
April 23rd, 2024
As Internet of Things continues to expand, the globe’s leading companies are concentrating their efforts on developing the emerging technology.
There have been a lot of talks lately about the Internet of Things. Although the technology is still in its nascent stage, the IoT ecosystem is quickly growing and is attracting interest from some of the world’s leading technology giants.
The research company Gartner predicts that the IoT products and services providers will generate more than $300 billion in revenues within the next three years. Moreover, there will be from 25 to 200 billion devices globally, according to estimates.
Here is the list of the most powerful internet of things companies to observe in 2017.
1. Amazon
Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides the largest managed cloud platform that lets IoT devices to connect to cloud apps and other devices. The company offers a range of AWS services to allow developers build applications that collect, process and analyze data from IoT devices without having to manage any infrastructure. Its platforms include Amazon Kinesis, AWS Lambda, Amazon Machine Learning, Amazon S3, Amazon DynamoDB, and others. In 2017, the company will further promote its IoT services and will continue to be one of the major players in the cloud computing and IoT sectors.
2. Intel
Intel continues its organizational restructuring to a data-centric company. This year, Intel will continue to grow its IoT segment, which was its fastest growing business segment in 2016, bringing more than $2.64 billion. In August, the company introduced Joule, a computer module targeted at IoT developers. It is a high performance system-on-module in a tiny low power package, what makes it ideal for a variety of applications, including IoT, robotics, drones, and VR.
3. Google
Google entered the IoT market with the acquisition of smart thermostat producer Nest for $3.2 billion in 2014. Last year, the company launched Android Things to let developers create connected devices using Android APIs and Google services. Android Things is an update of the company’s IoT operating system Brillo that was targeted at smart home market. Google also lets businesses to manage their data using its Google Cloud Platform service.
4. IBM
IBM’s Watson platform allows users a range of capabilities, including the opportunity to build their own IoT apps and services, monitor their assets and manage facilities. The company has recently partnered with AT&T to combine its IoT platforms with IBM’s developer, cloud and analytics services. In 2017, IBM plans to use cognitive computing to power developer resources and data analytics.
5. Microsoft
Microsoft has developed its Azure Suite to allow users connect, monitor and analyze IoT data remotely via Azure Stream. To simplify users’ transition to IoT, the company offers remote monitoring and predictive maintenance preconfigured solutions that allow businesses to quickly scale their IoT projects. Last month, Microsoft opened its third IoT lab to focus on IoT technologies.
6. Samsung
Last year, Samsung announced that it would spend $1.2 billion by 2020 on its IoT research and development and investment efforts. Besides, the company plans to make all of its devices IoT ready within the next four years. The electronics giant is working on ARM chips, as well as APIs that will enable its products to connect to any IoT platform. This year, we’ll likely see other announcements around IoT apps in such spheres as smart machines, social benefits, and digital health.
7. GE
The company’s IoT platform, called Predix Cloud, is the world’s first solution developed for industrial data and analytics. The service allows companies to monitor, store and analyze industrial-scale machine data in a more efficient and faster way. Last year, GE acquired field service management company ServiceMax for $915 million to enlarge its IoT business. In 2017, the company plans to boost its digital capabilities and expand its platform to 35,000 developers.
8. Cisco
In 2016, Cisco announced layoffs in a move to optimize its business and focus on the IoT segment. The company offers IoT solutions across multiple industries, including oil and gas, rail, connected factories, aviation, and maritime. Its latest investment in IoT is the acquisition of IoT platform provider Jasper Technologies for $1.4 billion. Besides, it recently partnered with IBM to combine Watson’s IoT and business analytics with Cisco’s edge analytics. This year, Cisco will continue to restructure its business to shift its focus to IoT.
9. AT&T
US telecom provider is a developer of M2X, a cloud-based data storage service that will make it easier for developers to launch their own IoT apps. Some leaders in the automotive industry are already using the company platform to provide a range of services, including roadside assistance, Internet radio and weather reports. AT&T is committed to become a leader in the IoT sector and earlier unveiled plans to have 10 million vehicles connected to its network by 2017.
10. Oracle
The company provides an IoT Cloud Service that allows users to connect their devices to the cloud, gather data from those devices, and integrate with enterprise applications, web services, and other Oracle Cloud Services. Earlier this year, Oracle expanded its IoT portfolio with four new cloud solutions to allow businesses leverage the benefits of digital supply chains. Besides, it partnered with Huawei to cooperate in the IoT sector.