Why do you need a partner with cross-discipline knowledge for IoT industry?
By: Alexey Pelykh
Tags: Software Development, Strategy, Internet of Things, Consumer Electronics, Growth

There is no secret that behind every smart appliance stands a talented team that brings the most ambitious ideas into life. As the connected home market develops, the demand for professionals with an IoT industry knowledge and relevant expertise grows exponentially. More and more companies come to the conclusion that the success of a smart device does not rely exclusively on software developers and IT engineers. To create a product that will stand out on this highly competitive market, one should also look for professionals and partners with unique expertise from different fields.

In our new article, we explain why it is essential to have specialists with cross-disciplinary expertise in your team and how IoT projects that have features from different industries are conquering the modern smart home market.

IoT projects and cross-discipline knowledge

Why is cross-disciplinary knowledge essential?

In order to understand the importance of multi-disciplinary expertise for the connected home industry, it is worth taking a closer look at its profound characteristics. Any smart device is designed in a way to make consumers’ lives easier and more convenient. With its flexible architecture and cutting-edge technologies involved, from machine learning and artificial intelligence technology to big data approach, smart device is a truly interdisciplinary gadget. Thus, a team of engineers, network specialists, application developers, big data architects, UI [user interface] designers and business representatives have to effectively combine their experiences to produce a device that will incorporate the best practices.

Every team member is playing a crucial role in product development by sharing valuable cross-disciplinary knowledge. For example, network engineers are responsible for planning, implementing and overseeing the computer networks that support in-house voice, data, video and wireless network services. Then, of course, it is important to have first-class security specialists who will make sure that your device is protected from hacker attacks and other vulnerabilities.

Industry 4.0. and IoT industry specifics

Recently the Internet of Things witnessed the appearance of Industry 4.0., probably one of the brightest examples of how innovation and cross-disciplinary expertise can be successfully integrated. Industry 4.0. combines the best practices of digital transformation and manufacturing to produce gadgets with an interdisciplinary background. According to PwC’s Global survey, Industry 4.0 initiatives will be generously supported by international manufacturers who plan to invest around $907 billion in the upcoming years.

“A major focus of this investment will be on digital technologies like sensors or connectivity devices, as well as on software and applications like manufacturing execution systems (MES). Companies are also investing significantly in training their employees, hiring new specialists and driving organizational change”, — the report clarifies.

Industry 4.0

Moreover, Industry 4.0. requires that a team of professionals come together to cope with interrelated challenges and solve critical issues connected to advanced robotics, big data analytics, augmented reality, cloud computing, etc. Thus, every team member is required to have a sufficient multi-disciplinary experience in IT, operational technologies, process automation, etc.

Searching for partners with IoT expertise

You can always search for third-party specialists with cross-disciplinary experience in case you have decided to outsource some of your company’s processes. As the demand for professionals with the relevant IoT knowledge grows, the market becomes oversaturated with outsourcing companies and vendors from all around the world. In order to understand what kind of skills you are looking for in your potential partner, think about smart home industry in the context of a highly-autonomous assembly line. Relevant skills can include the experience of work with 3D printers and other complementary manufacturing techniques running alongside computer numerical controlled (CNC) lathes as well as multi-step processes using robotic vision and machine learning.

Thus, you should spend enough time outlining a clear bunch of criteria for future IoT partner selection. The criteria often depend on a type of smart home device you are working on, as well as relevant skills that your partner should have. Most connected home providers also consider pricing, tech expertise and location when choosing an IT partner. Below we will outline some aspects to consider when searching for the right IoT partner for your business.

EXPERIENCE IN GOING SMART

Smart consumer electronics is a relatively new industry. Thus, make sure that your potential IoT partner has a good understanding of smart device development processes and issues that may arise. Pay special attention at the company’s previous experience, tech expertise, and portfolio. In the best-case scenario, a company you consider working with has an experience of developing software for smart home devices combined with a proper understanding of the underlying technical processes.

EFFECTIVE EVALUATION

Many smart home companies, especially those that have recently entered the market, can not effectively evaluate the amount of time, number of employees and types of qualifications needed in order to perform certain tasks. An experienced outsourcing team with a cross-disciplinary experience will help you to make a detailed evaluation of your project needs and offered realistic rates in terms of price, time, human resources and schedules.

RESPONSIBILITY IS EVERYTHING

Your future IoT partner will have to work in a multidisciplinary environment and solve the upcoming tasks in a timely manner. Thus, it is essential that the software partner you decided to collaborate with has an ability to perform tasks within given time frames. In case your potential vendor fails to meet the deadlines during a trial period, it is a good idea to think about changing a partner. Clearly communicate your needs and expectations to your vendor and make sure that IoT software partner follows the deadlines and requirements.

As the connected home industry develops, cross-disciplinary expertise and IoT knowledge become vital for project success. With a variety of cutting-edge technologies that are entering the IoT market, it can often be hard for employers to define what sets of skills or certifications they are looking for in their future partner. However, the broader their knowledge is in different fields spreading from IT to machine learning to robotics, the more chances that your IoT project will achieve success.

Source: https://brainbeanapps.com/best-practices/why-do-you-need-a-partner-with-cross-discipline-knowledge-for-iot-industry/

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