IoT Project Lifecycle in India: Phases from Discovery to Support

A lot of IoT projects start with an idea and some sensors. The sensors work and collect data, but the project does not move forward because no one knows what to do with that data. A clear IoT project lifecycle in India helps businesses plan every step, from the first idea to final ongoing support.

What the India research says

A 2020 Deloitte India report prepared with the Confederation of Indian Industry looked at IoT adoption in India. IANS covered the report on 31 August 2020. According to this report, IoT adoption in India is still in the early stages. This shows some challenges such as:

• Businesses were unsure where to start.
• There was a lack of skilled workers.
• Some systems had connectivity problems.
• Different devices and systems did not always work well together.
• Choosing the right IoT platform was difficult.
• Cybersecurity was a concern.

There are some points to be noted. The report was from 2020, so the situation now may have changed. These findings were from a news report; it was not an original one. It also did not show the IoT projects that failed.

IoT project lifecycle in India: the phases

This is our view: there are six steps for an IoT project.

1. Planning: First, we have to decide the problems to be solved. Like, reducing unexpected machine breakdowns is a clear goal. Adding sensors is not.
2. Design: Choosing the right device, network connection and data storage method. Make sure to check the internet connection at the site before moving forward.
3. Testing: Then build a small version of the project and test it on real equipment. This helps you find problems easily, before spending extra money.
4. Development and Integration: Connect the IoT system to the tools your team already uses, such as dashboards, maintenance software, and alerts.
5. Deployment: Install the system at the location where it is needed. Plan for power, installation work and access to the equipment.
6. Maintenance and Support: IoT devices can stop working, software needs updates, and network connections can change. Assign a team to monitor the system and fix problems.

If you skip planning or support, it can be problematic later. A project can work well in the demo but it can fail in delivering value if there is no one to use the data or for taking actions.

What to ask before you start

Ask these questions before starting any IoT project. This will help you to plan better and avoid common mistakes.

• What problem are we trying to solve?
• Who will manage the system after launch?
• Is the network connection reliable at the site?
• Which existing systems need to receive the data?
• How will we know if the test was successful?

How We Approach the IoT Project Lifecycle

Our IoT service follows the same six steps, from planning to ongoing support. First, we go through the business and try to understand the major problems instead of directly choosing the devices. After this, we plan how the system will work with your current tools. Also, we provide support from the start of the project, so that someone will be responsible for the system after it goes live. For IoT project lifecycle in India projects, firstly, we plan and set our clear goals. Once the first level goes right, we move forward. If your business is planning an IoT project, we’d be happy to discuss your needs and help you get started.