Standard project helping establish a reference architecture for IoT gaining ground
The IEEE is actively engaging with startup companies exploring emerging IoT technologies and encouraging their participation in the development of IEEE P2413—Standard for an Architectural Framework for the Internet of Things (IoT). Beyond Standards recently caught up with one IoT Analytics startup company to get its views on IEEE P2413 and how it relates to new products and solutions in the IoT ecosystem.
Rabindra Chakraborty, President of Senslytics Corporation, is leading the development of an industrial grade advanced analytics platform called “Intuition Technology” that can ingest a large variety of data coming from structured, unstructured and semi-structured data sources, and can process the information in a “relevance-aware” way to predict upcoming undesired events. The first Intuition Technology platform and associated application software offering, is designed to generate Lead-Time-To-Failure (LTTF) alerts and protect equipment from failing to avoid disruption in operations and loss of revenue. Dr. Chakraborty shared his insights into IoT and IEEE P2413 as it relates to his startup venture.
Q: How important is IEEE P2413 to advancing the IoT both in the near- and long-term?
A: For us, real-time data coming from sensors and IoT devices bring a large amount of contextual and situational information. Our involvement in IEEE P2413 is of utmost importance because of the crucial role IoT data plays in our Intuition Technology vision. The IEEE is one of the most important technical forums in the world and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) has been bringing the comfort and confidence to the technology user community for years. We think IEEE P2413 will play a similar critical role in advancing IoT technology over the long term.
Q: What are some of the latest trends you see related to IEEE P2413? What are some of the major challenges?
A: IEEE P2413 has engaged a group that is working on an IoT reference architecture. This reference architecture encompasses all IoT related industry sectors, such as Smart Homes, Smart Transportation, Smart Energy, Smart Cities, and many more. Many standard bodies and solution providers like to work at a much more specific level and closer to their product or service offerings. Although it is difficult to incorporate vision at such a high level that is industry agnostic, IEEE SA has taken this task to hand and is progressing well.
Q: What areas are of most interest to Senslytics and what role is your company playing in developing IEEE P2413?
A: Our interests in IEEE P2413 lie in building an IoT reference architecture to which our Senslytics product design remains compliant. Of course, networking with other key IoT industry leaders always has a benefit. Like all other members, Senslytics plays a regular role in helping form the standards, and reviewing others’ contributions. In addition, Senslytics’ contribution to the IEEE P2413 standards in terms of compliance and operational conformance has been well respected.
Our goal is to ensure that data collected from various edge devices and sensors can be used for generating relevance-aware intelligence and prediction, thus driving the business value in asset maintenance. Because we are an advanced analytics company, we want to make sure that this IoT intelligence component is not lost..
Q: What industry benefits can be achieved through IEEE P2413?
A: End of the day, the charter of IEEE P2413 dictates all activities. Beyond the explicit values of associating with a standards body, Senslytics hopes to partner with some of the other fellow industry members to test and prove the value of our Intuition Technology. Also, there has been discussions on building a test bed in IEEE P2413 for delivering proof of concepts of innovative technologies. That idea, if implemented, can surely benefit startups.
Q: Are there any other pertinent points you would like to make regarding IEEE P2413?
A: Our product is open-source, cross-domain and inter-operable by design. IEEE promotes all these three values, which is why Senslytics is naturally aligned with the IEEE. Large, monolithic companies control a lot of the “sensing” (IoT) world. Many such establishments benefit from proprietary technologies. I have been noticing some change in recent years. A few progressive large companies embrace openness more easily than others. However, when the largest professional body like the IEEE stands behind openness, the startups and innovations get boosted. I think IEEE P2413 is trying hard to promote openness and, with time, it will help establish a much broader, more collaborative world. Analytics industry can then harness its full potential.
Rabindra Chakraborty is leading the building effort of Senslytics Corporation—a spin-off from the multinational IT company, Catalyst Business Solutions. Prior to Senslytics, Rabindra was in the startup team of Catalyst and has led the technology, offshore and PMO functions in the capacity of Vice President for 14 years.
Rabindra holds multiple patents and has authored numerous technical papers published in the international journals and conferences. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and an active participant in forming IoT related standards. He has advised IT solutions for Smart Grid project in Vietnam, Smart City projects in India and Smart Street Lighting projects in both Jamaica and Costa Rica.
Rabindra holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and held post-doctoral fellowship and visiting professorship as part of his academic career.