Internet of Things – End-to-end solutions

An end-to-end approach for companies: K-Businesscom develops smart devices and machines.

Ultra-fast 5G, better, smaller and ever-cheaper sensors, artificial intelligence: These developments mean that the Internet of Things (IoT) is making its way into more and more areas of our lives. In 2021, there are already more than 11 billion IoT devices worldwide – and by 2025, there are expected to be more than 21 billion. That's more than twice as many devices as there will be people living on the planet at that time.

The increasing connectivity goes far beyond applications for refrigerators, security cameras, or pets. Increasingly, Internet-of-Things technologies are also being used in the manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and logistics sector, the automotive industry, and in retail. The Internet of Things is thus penetrating highly relevant and even critical areas of our society. Accordingly, solutions must be both highly reliable and smart.

IoT specialist K-Businesscom

K-Businesscom turns machines into smart machines. The system integrator with a focus on the Internet of Things achieves this through internal know-how as well as with the help of competent external partners. Our end-to-end approach starts with smart sensors for devices, machines and objects and extends through cloud platforms and analytics to apps. The collected data is then processed and visualized in real time.

IoT can be used in a variety of ways: Companies can both optimize their existing processes or develop completely new business models – depending on what suits their corporate strategy best.

Optimization of the value chain

processes – and all this without interfering with the development or functioning of the product itself. The result: higher throughput, better quality, and improved utilization thanks to longer maintenance cycles.

The Internet of Things can ensure that machines in the smart factory run more smoothly and efficiently than ever before. Not only do they report malfunctions in real time, artificial intelligence can also predict maintenance work fairly accurately using predictive maintenance software. This reduces repair costs and downtime.

"Digital Twins": With the IoT optimization approach, every device – from machines to vehicles – can be digitally/virtually mapped in real time. It doesn't matter whether there are thousands of heating boilers spread across the city or offshore wind turbines far out in the sea.

Once networked, data is constantly transmitted to the company headquarters. Attractively visualized, these data serve as the basis for decision-making and the issuing of purchase orders. Manufacturers of production machines can use the data insights to recognize at an early stage when customers will need spare parts again – and can produce them "on demand" based on the data.

The basis for new business models

IoT technologies are also true game changers in the office of the future. The best example of this is the networked office chairs developed together with Sedus, Europe's leading office furniture manufacturer. With corresponding sensors on the chairs, the utilization and usage of company buildings can be tracked. In the post-Corona age, office space can be optimally designed on the basis of such data.

Going one step further, the Internet of Things is creating completely new business models. After all, if machines are fully networked and provide real-time data on their use – why not simply rent them on a selective basis in the future? Thanks to the Internet of Things, pay-per-use business models are on the rise and can open up new customer segments for companies. No wonder sharing instead of owning and renting instead of buying are growing in popularity.

This also helps protect the environment: The more resources are shared, the better for the planet.

"IoT enables completely new business models. When machines are networked and provide real-time data on their usage - why buy and not just rent as needed?" Pay per use "models are also on the advance with IoT and open up new customer groups. Share on Instead of owning, renting instead of buying is more and more the motto. This is our small contribution to the fight against the climate crisis: the more resources are shared, the better for our planet. "
Michael Scheuer, Head of Solution Development & Consulting at K-Businesscom

From sensors to apps

K-Businesscom implements the Internet of Things on an end-to-end basis – from sensors to applications. The journey to a customized solution looks as follows:

Sensor: The machine or device is upgraded.
Embedded Systems & Gateways: Data from multiple sensors are bundled or presorted. For instance, streams from video cameras are not transmitted around the clock, but only when something important happens.
Connectivity: WiFi, 5G, LoRa, radio protocol – how the data is transmitted depends on the application. Factors such as data volume, the availability of energy, or densely reinforced concrete walls are all taken into account.
Platform: Each customer decides on an individual level where the data is to be transmitted. Private cloud, public cloud, data center or on premise – anything is possible and tailored to the needs of the company.
- Microsoft Azure: As a long-term partner, K-Businesscom collaborates closely with Microsoft and frequently implements their cloud solution.
- Smart IoT platform: The platform developed by K-Businesscom also offers special features such as specific device management and remote maintenance.
Analytics: This is where the magic happens. Through the use of smart algorithms and machine learning valuable knowledge can be gained from the collected data. Employees and managers get in-depth insights into how devices and machines work and perform.
Application: Apps on tablets, smartphones and data glasses provide an appealing, easy-to-understand visualization of the collected data and facilitate intuitive interaction.

Built-in cybersecurity

On the journey from installing sensors to running an application, one thing cannot be forgotten: the customer's digital sovereignty. IoT solutions are by no means "islands". They shouldn't be viewed in isolation but as something that must be integrated into existing processes and infrastructures. Right from the start, it must be defined where the data will be stored and who is allowed to use them and for what purposes. K-Businesscom's high-security data centers, such as the underground earthDATAsafe, offer a high level of protection against external disruptive factors and unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity is essential as well. Especially in smart factories, the protection against industrial espionage and hackers is a top priority. K-Businesscom has its own Cyber Defense Center (CDC) and its own security unit, the "Red Team". The latter identifies cybersecurity gaps in systems via simulated attacks and closes them before real attackers can cause any damage.

K-Businesscom – Full-service provider for IoT

From sensor technology to analytics and the protection of valuable data: K-Businesscom, as an integrator of a wide variety of systems, has access to a reliable partner network spanning the globe. This lays the foundation for the successful implementation of large-scale IoT projects that will shape the future of our economy.