The document discusses how APIs can help unlock value from the Internet of Things (IoT). It notes that there will soon be 25 billion connected devices and explains how APIs can help connect devices, enable developers to build experiences, and provide security. APIs provide an API-first approach that allows devices, mobile apps, and partners to be connected and securely accessed. This evolves device businesses into digital platform businesses providing new experiences, business models, and revenue opportunities.
With over 25B connected devices expected by 2020, the Internet of Things promises to change the way we live and work
Yet, connected devices are nothing new. You don’t have a look too far. The remote control in your car that opens the garage door is an example of a connected device. So is the hotel room where the light turns on when you open the door.
https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=garage+door+opener&i=43665 by Dillon Arloff
So if connected things are not new, then what’s changed?
What has changed in the Internet. We are now talking about things that are accessible from the Internet. And bringing the Internet in the picture changes everything. It makes the picture more complex
When you look at the landscape today, the Internet of Things consists of simple remote control for devices from a single application provided by a single vendor. This means your garage door now has its own app, and your washing machine has its own app, and so on.
This is clearly not a scalable strategy if we’re looking at billions of devices. Its not a practical strategy either. After all, our lives are not full of siloed experiences, but rather they are a collection of connected experiences
To truly unlock the value from the Internet of Things, you need to enable multiple customers and partners to access the data and functionality of many disparate devices.
Only then can you deliver new connected digital experiences that include the physical world, enable new business models and opportunities, and identify new revenue streams. Lets look at a few examples of what this means….
If we can make this vision a reality, we can start to build Internet of Things ecosystems where multiple devices, customers, partners, services, apps, can all interoperate.
To truly unlock the value from the Internet of Things, you need to enable multiple customers and partners to access the data and functionality of many disparate devices.
To truly unlock the value from the Internet of Things, you need to enable multiple customers and partners to access the data and functionality of many disparate devices.
To truly unlock the value from the Internet of Things, you need to enable multiple customers and partners to access the data and functionality of many disparate devices.
These scenarios unfortunately are easier said than done. There are multiple points of friction to overcome if our vision of IoT ecosystems is to come true. I won’t go through the list. You have a number of protocols to consider, and now there are many protocol bodies who are open but not compatible, managing identify and access – security over device functionality and data, building compelling mobile experiences, monetizing IoT and many more.
Mediation https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=transformation&i=96239 by Lloyd HumphreysPredictive https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=artificial+intelligence&i=28698 by Dan Hetteix
Data Stream https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=data+&i=160443 by Zachary Bogard
Monetization https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=dollar&i=131893 by Creative Stall
Developer https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=developer&i=94090 (public domain)
Identity https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=identity&i=61233 by by Yamini Ahluwalia
Interoperability https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=interoperability&i=181229 By anbileru adaleru
Device Management https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=server+farm&i=2075 (public domain)
Enterprise Integration https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=integration&i=166297 by Aha-Soft
Scalability https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=global+scale&i=87003 by iconoci
SDK https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=software+development&i=83064 by Lemon Liu
These scenarios unfortunately are easier said than done. There are multiple points of friction to overcome if our vision of IoT ecosystems is to come true. I won’t go through the list. You have a number of protocols to consider, and now there are many protocol bodies who are open but not compatible, managing identify and access – security over device functionality and data, building compelling mobile experiences, monetizing IoT and many more.
Mediation https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=transformation&i=96239 by Lloyd HumphreysPredictive https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=artificial+intelligence&i=28698 by Dan Hetteix
Data Stream https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=data+&i=160443 by Zachary Bogard
Monetization https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=dollar&i=131893 by Creative Stall
Developer https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=developer&i=94090 (public domain)
Identity https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=identity&i=61233 by by Yamini Ahluwalia
Interoperability https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=interoperability&i=181229 By anbileru adaleru
Device Management https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=server+farm&i=2075 (public domain)
Enterprise Integration https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=integration&i=166297 by Aha-Soft
Scalability https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=global+scale&i=87003 by iconoci
SDK https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=software+development&i=83064 by Lemon Liu
The challenge today is that you have many disparate devices that were never designed to work together. As a result, they speak their own protocols which makes interoperability a nightmare.
However, if you can abstract each device as a REST AP I, it simplifies interoperability. Equipping each device with an API make it easy to build connected experiences. Each device can call another devices’ API to enable a connected experience.
Reading the temperature on the thermostat is a GET operation. Turning on a light bulb is simply a POST operation.
Making each device accessible via REST API is a useful way to enable the digital value chain and address these challenges
To truly unlock the value from the Internet of Things, you need to enable multiple customers and partners to interact with and act on data streaming from many devices
To truly unlock the value from the Internet of Things, you need to enable multiple customers and partners to interact with and act on data streaming from many devices
Making each device accessible via REST API is a useful way to enable the digital value chain and address these challenges
Apigee Link does just that. Apigee Link provides built in best in class REST APIs for disparate devices
Apigee Link provides built in REST APIs for disparate devices. Unlike our API management product that you’re familiar with, here we provide you with the API, which you can then manage as well. Conceptually, Link is closer to the FHIR API that provide through API-x
Do the build..
In fact, Link is also built on API. All devices, hubs are available via APIs so are all capabilities. We’re truly API first. We’re also built using open Internet technologies so there’s no lock in to any proprietary protococls.
With Apigee Link you can enable devices to interoperate, easily access event data stream from sensors and actuators via websockets, and program devices end to end
With Apigee Link you can enable devices to interoperate, easily access event data stream from sensors and actuators via websockets, and program devices end to end
Mediation
Self-service device modeling
Interoperable with other IoT systems such as MQTT
No lock in with proprietary protocols
If we can make this vision a reality, we can start to build Internet of Things ecosystems where multiple devices, customers, partners, services, apps, can all interoperate.
Only then can you deliver new connected digital experiences that include the physical world, enable new business models and opportunities, and identify new revenue streams. Lets look at a few examples of what this means….
In other words, With Apigee Link, you can evolve your devices business into an API-run digital business.