MONITORING

OF
SMART CITIES
 Effective smart city monitoring
• The data collected from smart city monitoring solutions are often
consolidated onto one platform or into one repository to streamline
data management and enterprise security.

• Trends and patterns discovered in the data get distilled into actionable
insights that can be used to develop effective strategies to combat
traffic congestion, air pollution, degrading infrastructure and other
civic issues. Smart city monitoring can help make this happen, and an
effective plan monitors traffic and air quality, utilizes advanced
sensing and enables predictive maintenance.
• IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platforms are software frameworks
designed to facilitate the deployment and management of industrial
IoT solutions. These platforms play a crucial role in connecting,
collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data from various sensors and
devices in industrial settings. Here are key components and features
of IIoT platforms
 Connectivity Management
• IIoT platforms provide the necessary infrastructure to connect diverse
devices, sensors, and machines within an industrial ecosystem. This
includes protocols for communication, data formats, and device
management
 Data Ingestion and Storage
• IIoT platforms enable the ingestion of large volumes of data from
sensors and devices. They often include databases or storage
solutions optimized for handling time-series data generated by
industrial processes.
 Data Processing and Analytics
• These platforms offer tools for processing and analyzing the data
collected from industrial devices. Analytics capabilities may include
real-time processing, predictive analytics, and machine learning
algorithms to derive actionable insights.
 Security and Authentication

• Security is a critical aspect of IIoT platforms. They include features

such as encryption, authentication, and access control to ensure the
integrity and confidentiality of the data flowing through the system
 Device Management
• IIoT platforms provide functionalities for managing the lifecycle of
devices. This includes onboarding, configuration, monitoring, and
updating firmware of connected devices in an efficient and centralized
manner
 Integration Capabilities

• Integration with existing enterprise systems (such as ERP or CRM

systems) is a key feature. IIoT platforms often provide APIs
(Application Programming Interfaces) to facilitate seamless
integration with other business applications.
 Visualization and Reporting
• IIoT platforms offer dashboards and reporting tools to visualize data in
a meaningful way. These interfaces enable users to monitor industrial
processes, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and make data-
driven decisions
 Scalability

• IIoT platforms are designed to scale horizontally as the number of

connected devices and the volume of data increase. This ensures that
the platform can handle the growing demands of an industrial
ecosystem.
 Interoperability

• Ensuring interoperability is crucial, especially in industrial settings

where different types of devices and machines may come from
various vendors. IIoT platforms often support standard
communication protocols to enhance interoperability.
 Edge Computing Support
• IIoT platforms may incorporate edge computing capabilities, allowing
some data processing to occur closer to the source of data
generation. This can reduce latency, improve efficiency, and minimize
bandwidth usage
 Reliability and High Availability
• Industrial processes often require high levels of reliability and
availability. IIoT platforms are designed to minimize downtime and
ensure continuous operation even in challenging industrial
environments.
• Some examples of well-known IIoT platforms include Microsoft Azure
IoT, AWS IoT, IBM Watson IoT, Siemens MindSphere, and GE Predix.
These platforms are used across various industries, including
manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and transportation, to optimize
processes and drive innovation.
 Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

• Connect machines, employees, and processes—while unlocking new

data-driven capabilities.

• Industrial connectivity and real-time data analytics can transform

Smart City data into faster business decisions, improved efficiency,
and maximized revenue growth for business.
• The industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a foundational technology for
Industry 4.0 initiatives that uses connected smart sensors, actuators,
and more to connect your people, products, and processes to power
digital transformation.

• Using industrial IoT platforms, companies connect, monitor, analyze,

and act on industrial data in new ways to improve efficiency, maximize
revenue growth, reduce costs, and more.
 Why Industrial IoT Platforms are Well-Suited for Smart City Applications

• IoT platforms, particularly those like ThingWorx that are focused on

industrial use cases, provide a framework for connecting devices,
harnessing the data they create and building powerful applications
from that data. Unlike other types of IoT platforms that focus just on
building smart, connected products, industrial IoT platforms enable
smart, connected operations. A core competency of industrial IoT
platforms is their ability to provide near-immediate device
monitoring, and directly use that functionality to expand and build
additional solutions, such as predictive maintenance and automation.

https://www.ptc.com/en/blogs/iiot/a-smarter-way-to-build-smart-cities
• The Smart City developers who are pulling away from their
competition have banked on these similarities and are using proven
industrial IoT platforms to address the silo challenges of city
opportunities. Specifically, these platforms are solving three key
problems:
• Connectivity - They efficiently connect to devices and applications
with ease, enabling developers to essentially discard physical and
virtual silos.
• Timeliness - They provide an authoring environment that enables
developers to provide complete solutions in a fraction of the time of
custom applications.
• Scalability - Finally, these platforms are architected to solve for both
the current, requested solution, while ensuring that more expansive
and desirable solutions can easily be introduced on the same
technology.
• As a result, Smart City builders who have found the right platform are
building better solutions faster. These solutions accommodate and
leverage existing infrastructure, freeing cities from having to make
immediate and costly investments in upgrading physical assets or
applications.
 Vodafone chooses PTC’s
Thingworx platform for IoT
app development
• One of the traditional ways to do IoT app development is for a
company to write its own software. PTC claims its platform allows for
10-times faster development as opposed to code, and not needing to
be a developer to create solutions
https://www.scnsoft.com/blog/iot-for-smart-city-use-cases-approaches-outcomes
https://www.scnsoft.com/blog/iot-for-smart-city-use-cases-approaches-outcomes
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6696184/
• According to PTC, the Thingworx platform allows customers to
connect to things using ThingWorx connectivity or industrial
connectivity from Kepware; automate the analytical processes for loT
data such as real-time anomaly detection at the edge, predictive
analytics and simulations; includes development tools designed to
enable loT developers to create solutions; use augmented reality from
Vuforia to create experiences designed to help end users better
create, service and operate their things; and collaborate with loT
developers around the world through the ThingWorx DevZone
Marketplace.
From smart cities
 THING OPTIMIZER

Prediction
+ Optimized
Data Sets Thingworx Analytics
Decision Support Outcome
 Reduced
down
time

Detecting Detecting
Outliers Benefits Failures

Detecting
Critical
incidents
 Avoid
unplanned
downtime

Predicting
Avoid
Remaining
Machine
useful life
Failure
(RUIL)

Benefits

Reduced
Improving
Maintenance
OEE
Ciost

Warranty
Analytics
 Avoid
unplanned
downtime

Predicting
Avoid
Remaining
Machine
useful life
Failure
(RUIL)

Benefits

Reduced
Improving
Maintenance
OEE
Ciost

Warranty
Analytics
 DIGITAL IIOT PLATFORMS
• PTC THINGWORX IOT PLATFORM

• AZURE BASED IOT PLATFORM

• BOSCH IOT SUITE

• GE PREDIX IOT PLATFORM

• SIEMENS MIND SPHERE IOT PLATFORM

• IBM WATSON IIOT PLATFORM

• AWS IIOT PLATFORM

• TCS TWINX

• GOOGLE CLOUD IIOT PLATFORM

• The monitoring of smart cities using Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
platforms offers several benefits that contribute to more efficient,
sustainable, and livable urban environments. Here are some key
advantages
 Data-Driven Decision Making
• IIoT platforms collect and analyze vast amounts of data from various
sensors and devices deployed throughout the city. This data can be
used to make informed decisions about resource allocation, urban
planning, and infrastructure development.
 Efficient Resource Management

• Smart city monitoring enables real-time tracking and optimization of

resources such as energy, water, and transportation. This can lead to
reduced waste, lower costs, and improved overall efficiency.
 Traffic Management and Transportation
Optimization
• IIoT sensors in smart cities can monitor traffic patterns, parking
availability, and public transportation systems. This data can be used
to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance public
transportation services.
 Environmental Sustainability

• By monitoring air and water quality, waste management, and energy

consumption, smart cities can actively work towards minimizing their
environmental impact. IIoT platforms help in identifying areas for
improvement and implementing eco-friendly initiatives.
 Public Safety and Emergency Response

• IIoT sensors enable the real-time monitoring of public spaces, helping

to enhance public safety. They can also be integrated into emergency
response systems, allowing for quicker and more effective responses
to incidents such as natural disasters or accidents.
 Infrastructure Health Monitoring
• IIoT devices can monitor the health and performance of critical
infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and buildings. This proactive
monitoring helps in identifying maintenance needs and potential
issues before they escalate, ensuring the longevity of infrastructure.
 Citizen Engagement and Quality of Life
• Smart city technologies, when coupled with IIoT, can improve citizen
engagement through the provision of real-time information on
various aspects of city life. This can enhance the overall quality of life
for residents by providing them with useful data and services.
 Cost Savings
• Through the optimization of resources, reduction of energy
consumption, and efficient management of services, smart city
initiatives powered by IIoT platforms can result in cost savings for
both the city government and its residents.
 Innovation and Economic Growth
• The deployment of IIoT technologies in smart cities fosters innovation
and can attract businesses focused on developing and implementing
advanced urban solutions. This, in turn, contributes to economic
growth and job creation.
 Scalability and Flexibility
• IIoT platforms provide scalable solutions that can adapt to the
changing needs of a growing city. As technologies evolve, smart cities
can easily integrate new sensors and devices, ensuring a flexible and
future-proof infrastructure.
• In summary, the monitoring of smart cities using IIoT platforms
creates a more connected, efficient, and sustainable urban
environment, leading to improved quality of life for residents and
economic benefits for the city as a whole.