What the Revolution of the ‘Internet of Things’ Means for Software Developers

Yesterday's announcement of the new Apple Watch took iOS into the world of wearable technology, part of the Internet of Things (IoT). With the rise of evolving network of physical things that feature internet, hardware is increasingly more relevant…again.

With smarter watches, cars, houses, healthcare facilities, power outlets, (the list goes on), we’re looking at a future in which everything will connect and communicate.

In fact, technology expert Michael S. Malone goes as far as to make the prediction that as the IoT grows, devices will take the lead and today’s young, hot software developers will take a backseat, in a recent a WSJ op-ed.

But software still reigns the kingdom of technology. In fact, because of the IoT revolution, software is accelerating at a faster pace.

While Malone is right in that the demand for hardware and devices will increase, software’s not going anywhere.

In fact, software will fuel the next revolution of IoT hardware.

“Software is still king,” says Orit Pennington of TPGTEX Label Solutions. “Software is what drive the company's servers and all the devices that are connected to it.”

Matthew Turner of Boston Turner Group would agree with Pennington and argues that the growth of machine-to-machine tech actually boosts the need for more software and more software developers.

Hardware may be back, but it’s evolved more than ever. I love the way Matt Asay of Read Write said it: “Not necessarily big hardware, in the shape of servers or data centers, but rather lots of itty-bitty devices stitched together to form the Internet of Things.”

‘The ability to make devices operate together is an exciting field right now.’

“Many software companies are competing to become a standard for interoperability and exchange. And the number of different products and protocols entering the marketplace doesn’t seem to be slowing,” Turner says.

Software is the key to turn smart hardware into valuable business functions. Turner offers these examples:

• Leaking boilers warn you before you lose $30,000 or more to a flood smoke detectors text-message you for fresh batteries.
• Failing commercial refrigeration units alert warehouse managers before temperatures fall and over $1m of food spoils.

All of this information gathered and stored from these smart things is just as valuable in optimizing revenue as the function itself.

“Imagine the examples I gave above, but from a data perspective,” Turner says. “Could the data from the refrigeration units lead to the manufacture of more efficient units and processes? To make that happen, you need software that can collect, manage and analyze data from disparate devices.”

So, even if businesses start to demand and gravitate toward hardware, software is vital to connect, optimize and keep track of the result of smart devices.

Michael J. Smith, CEO of Raster Media, puts it in an interesting perspective: “Hardware without software is simply a dumb tool, like a hammer.”

“Hardware and sensors that collect data and send that data through software to other software to decipher its meaning and then respond intelligently to that data - is truly revolutionary and will usher us into a new era of technology.”