Microsoft is always looking to offer newer and faster ways for their customers to embrace cloud services, even if you are not moving any of your workloads to Azure, MS wants for your company to integrate with the cloud. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms are a simple way to start, even for Internet-of-Things (IoT), that’s why the Redmond company is announcing: IoT Central.
Internet-of-Things (IoT) has been, for some time now, one of those fancy and shiny terms almost any CxO role is attracted to. But what’s usually the problem? IoT solutions are very complex, usually, require specific infrastructure and very special knowledge around software and how to handle data. Here’s an example of “starter kit” for companies looking to implement IoT: “CES 2017: AT&T Offering Internet-of-Things (IoT) starter kits for AWS and Raspberry Pi”.
The idea behind IoT is that these components provided in these kits offer developers the alternative to program microcontrollers, in order to facilitate the interaction and retrieve data from a large number of devices (home based, manufacturers, field, etc.). All these data obtained, then it can be analyzed and returned as valuable information which can also set triggers (alarms, notifications, etc.).
Understanding that complexity, Microsoft is minimizing the organization’s efforts in order to simplify the IoT initiatives for their customers, the IoT Central platform is a Software-as-a-Service offering.
Right now the service is not available to the general public but you can sign up to get pre-release information and to be notified when access opens up.
There isn’t much information yet about IoT Central, but so far the SaaS offering will be aimed at customers looking to build applications that use sensors and intelligent components (similar than the ones mentioned in starter kit), but don’t have enough experience in IoT and don’t want to use the company’s Platform as a Service (PaaS) offerings.
In addition, Microsoft is opening the dialogue with partners interested in working with them on this offering.
