In the IoT report "Open Source in The Internet of Things" by Vision Mobile(http://www.slashdata.com), over 90 percent of all developers of IoT solutions stated that they use open source software. Why is this the case? Open technologies simply meet the requirements of modern IoT platforms in terms of interfaces, security and transparency, developer-friendliness, scaling and, of course, acquisition and operating costs.

Open source for all IoT areas

The entire spectrum can be covered with open source solutions: there are open solutions not only for operating systems (e.g. Raspian, Ubuntu Core 16, Android Things or Zephyr), but also for developer frameworks and libraries (Apache Camel, ActiveMQ and Drools) and hardware (e.g. Arduino, Rasperry Pi). These solutions are available ready for use and are already being used worldwide, as demonstrated by Bosch's IoT suite or the practical examples from Data Art, for example.

Open source promotes innovation

In the IoT sector, open source solutions can make the most of their advantages, as their flexibility helps providers who produce innovations at high speed and require tried-and-tested and quickly available software components to do so. This speed is extremely important in the IoT environment, as changes are the norm here faster than in any other IT area. It is inconceivable that systems with such dynamics could only be developed and supported by one manufacturer. Only the open source approach with its developer communities can keep pace with the dramatically fast developments.

Information exchange between systems

The use of open source saves time and money. For example: interfaces that make it easy to integrate a wide variety of systems. The open source codes also allow rapid adaptations to individual requirements or to changing market conditions, for example if new functions are to be added. IoT systems are characterized by high complexity and heterogeneity. Sensors and devices exchange information with each other in a wide variety of formats. Interoperability is therefore a must for IoT systems - and not a problem for open technologies, which are based on open interfaces from the ground up. At the same time, this openness also offers maximum transparency, which in turn increases user trust.

Author: Michael Kienle, Managing Director of it-novum GmbH. (Image: it-novum)

This is why open source IoT solutions also cover security aspects sufficiently. The source codes are open and available to everyone. This means they are automatically checked by a large number of eyes. As a result, errors or security gaps are usually detected quickly and can be rectified quickly. And last but not least, the cost benefits speak for themselves - due to the volume of data, proprietary solutions are completely unthinkable for many companies in terms of budget.

Open source helps save time

By using established open source solutions, providers of IoT platforms not only save on their usually tight development budgets, but above all on valuable time. They can put this time to better use elsewhere, for example in aligning the offering with user requirements and wishes. The communities surrounding IoT-oriented open source technologies play a key role in the further development and distribution of IoT platforms, which ultimately benefits the user.

Companies that want to implement IoT offerings should not close their minds to the possibilities offered by open source solutions such as Cloudera or Pentaho. Instead, they should weigh up the advantages compared to other approaches. Michael Kienle / nc