Every new system requires a development process, which can be expensive and time-consuming. The classic way of development will start with MCU selection, communication technology selection, and developing prototype PCB (Printed Circuit Board). Luckily there is a better solution called the development platform. The development platform can be some part of the hardware used for the evaluation and initial development of a new product or software system that already combines various libraries, applications, and solutions that will significantly reduce setup and development time.

By using some development platform a developer will reduce the risk of project failure. For example, after developing MVP (Minimum Viable Product), a product that has limited features, but practically describes what the future product will be, we can present it to the potential clients and check their response. If the response from the clients is bad and we conclude that it’s not worth continuing development really limited resources will be lost since the platform was used and it can be used again for new evaluation or adjustments. Just imagine that you develop, test, and certify your new shiny product (which requires a lot of money and time) and then nobody wants to buy it!

After initial development and positive product evaluation, the next step would be preparing documentation and starting with the development of the final PCB, certification, and finally marketing the product.

Back to the topic! In order to select the right hardware for our new product, it’s important to define various requirements like physical values that will be measured, power consumption, peripherals, communication technology that will be used, standards and more.

Currently, on the market, there are a few reliable hardware platforms tailor-made for IoT development, IoTaaP is one of them. This abbreviation stands for Internet of Things as a Platform since it also incorporates embedded libraries and cloud platforms. IoTaaP is based on the previously ESP32, dual-core System on a Chip and it runs IoTaaP OS – Open Source IoT operating system.