The phrase Internet of Things covers everything from a smart bulb to a network of sensors in a factory. Under the surface, almost every IoT system is built from the same four layers. Understanding them makes it easier to plan a project and to ask the right questions.
1. Devices and sensors
This is the hardware at the edge: sensors that measure something (temperature, motion, power use) and actuators that do something (switch a relay, open a valve). A small microcontroller usually reads the sensors and runs the device's firmware.
2. Connectivity
Devices need a way to send data. Depending on range, power and data volume, that might be Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a low-power wide-area network or a wired industrial protocol. A gateway often collects data from nearby devices and forwards it onward.
3. Cloud platform
Data arrives at a platform that stores it, processes it and exposes it to other systems. This is also where rules and alerts live, for example notifying someone when a reading crosses a threshold. Good cloud integration also covers secure access and device management.
4. Interface
Finally, people need to see and control the system: a dashboard, a web application or a mobile app. A clear interface is what turns a stream of readings into something your team can act on.
Planning tips
- Start with the decision or outcome the data should support, not the device.
- Think about power, connectivity and the physical environment early.
- Plan how devices will be updated and monitored after installation.
- Treat security as part of the design from the beginning.
Have a connected product or monitoring idea in mind? We would be glad to talk it through.