Why Do Connected Objects Need the Cloud?
The term “Cloud” has become inseparable from the world of connected objects and home. We know almost what it represents: information stored in the Clouds, or more down-to-earth, in computer server centers. But why do connected objects need to be dependent on this famous Cloud? Could they really do without it? Could you do without the cloud?
The Cloud has three main functions that serve primarily to make a connected object lighter, smaller, with fewer expensive components. We simply transfer some of the expected capabilities of the object into the Cloud. The hyper-powerful Cloud servers are therefore ready at any moment to service connected objects, store their data and link it to your smartphone.
1. Perform operations in place of the connected device
For reasons of content format and cost, the connected device often does not have all the technical capacities to carry out complex calculation operations. Some information is transmitted by the device to the Cloud; powerful servers analyze them to return a response to the object which is thus freed from this constraint to focus on its main functions.
For example, in the case of the analysis of faces or objects by a camera, it is often performed not by the camera itself but by the servers in the Cloud to which it is attached, and the result is displayed on your smartphone.
2. Store data
Connected devices today record dozens of data every minute. These are data that concern both its use and the monitoring of its proper functioning. This requires a storage space for this database. Again, it is simpler and more obvious to store the data collected outside the object, a place where they reside in security accessible at all times. It is obviously more effective on a remote server than on the device that can be stolen, and its internal memory shelled.
In the case of a security camera, if the burglar steals your camera, with data stored in the Cloud you will have the images that can eventually be used by the police. If it is the camera that stores the images it is filming itself, the burglar will leave with the evidence.
3. Communicate with the object
When you open your mobile app to connect to your object, you just have to enter a username and password to be immediately connected. No technical information is needed.
This is another reason why objects are connected to the Cloud: wherever you are, you do not connect directly to the connected object but to the Cloud. It acts as a relay, regardless of the number of users and having nothing to configure at home. It’s more comfortable. Of course, this real “virtual tunnel”, which goes from your smartphone to the connected object via the Cloud, is totally secure.
Why choose the Cloud?
The Cloud was obvious to many IoT businesses. For the four reasons detailed above:
- Reduces the cost of products by moving some of the intelligence.
- Strengthen the security of your data.
- Allows companies to access their system or camera from anywhere in the world without any constraints.
- Warns you of any problem connecting your devices to the Internet.
Imagine for a moment if you had to configure all this, all alone, on your Internet Box. And again, most Box do not even allow it, you would need to invest in a dedicated additional device.
