What is software Middleware?
Software middleware first came into existence in the 1960s, when mainframe computers were the dominant computing platform. These mainframes were expensive and complex, requiring a lot of specialised knowledge to operate. Software middleware was developed to make it easier for developers to build applications that could run on these mainframes.
In the 1980s, it became more popular as the use of personal computers and distributed systems grew. Software middleware was used to connect these different systems and applications together, providing common services such as security and data management.
Today, software middleware is an essential part of any modern IT infrastructure. It’s used to connect a wide variety of applications and systems, providing a wide range of services. Some of the most common types of software middleware include:
– Message brokers are used to send and receive messages between applications.
– Transaction processing monitors are used to manage transactions between applications.
– Enterprise application integration (EAI) is used to integrate different systems and applications together.
– Web services are used to expose application functionality over the internet.
– API management is used to control access to applications’ programming interfaces.
Why Is Software Middleware Essential?
Software middleware is a complex and ever-evolving field. However, its use is widespread and essential in today’s modern IT system with benefits such as:
– Increased Flexibility – Makes applications more flexible and adaptable to change.
– Improved Performance – Improve the performance of applications by providing common services and optimising communication between applications.
– Reduced Costs – Reduce the costs of developing and maintaining applications by providing reusable components and services.
– Improved Security- Improve the security of applications by providing features such as authentication and authorisation.
– Increased Scalability – Increase the scalability of applications by providing features such as load balancing and clustering.
So what is MobiusFlow Software Middleware?
MobiusFlow is an advanced software middleware solution that can be used to connect, control, and integrate a wide variety of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, like sensors. It provides the following services:
– Device Connectivity – Connect to a wide variety of IoT devices, including sensors, and field gateways.
– Data Collection and Processing – Collect and process data from IoT devices.
– Control – Control IoT devices, such as turning on lights or adjusting thermostats.
– Data Visualisation – Collect, collate and analyse data from various cloud services such as Microsoft Azure, IBM Watson and Amazon Web Services as well as local servers and systems for notification and reporting.
MobiusFlow can also be used to manage your existing enterprise systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems or manufacturing execution systems (MES). This can help to improve the efficiency and productivity of businesses.
A Bable fish? A Universal Translator? Software Middleware? A Broker? What is it?
A bit of everything. A key feature of MobiusFlow is its ability to integrate with multiple protocols at the same time. For any advanced software middleware solution, being protocol agnostic is crucial.
Being protocol agnostic refers to the ability of a system or device to work seamlessly with multiple communication protocols, regardless of the underlying technology or infrastructure. In the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), this means that devices can communicate and exchange data with each other (Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Power over Ethernet (PoE), MQTT etc.), regardless of the specific protocols they use.
Flexibility
This flexibility allows businesses to choose the best devices for their specific needs without being limited by compatibility issues. It also future-proofs businesses’ IoT investments by ensuring that their devices can adapt and work with new protocols as they emerge.
This also promotes interoperability, allowing for data sharing between different systems and manufacturing standards. This is crucial for creating a unified system where all devices, regardless of manufacturer or protocol, can communicate and share data effortlessly.
For example, you may wish to use LoRaWAN for long range remote management of city utility data on water quality or noise levels but use EnOcean in your offices to monitor desk occupancy and air quality on a minute by minute basis.
Both are excellent systems but do not always sit in the same room on the first glance. However, by combining them with MobiusFlow you end up with a very powerful, configurable, reliable and robust solution enabling through one system, automated actionable insights, internal processes and a view of your assets all in one place.
Scalable
IoT solutions often start small, with a proof of concept (PoC) or a pilot project. However, as businesses grow and expand, their IoT needs may evolve. Having a scalable, protocol agnostic software middleware solution like MobiusFlow allows businesses to scale their IoT deployments effectively, adding new devices and services as their requirements change without major compatibility issues.
This scalability and flexibility is crucial for businesses looking to future-proof their IoT investments and maximise their return on investment (ROI).
Introducing MobiusFlow to your portfolio enables you to offer new sensors and devices to your existing user base as well as expanding your reach to new customers and offering additional solutions.
Future-Proofing and Interoperability
Technology is constantly evolving, and new communication protocols are regularly introduced. Being protocol agnostic allows businesses to future-proof their investments by ensuring that their devices can adapt and work with new protocols as they emerge.
This also promotes interoperability, allowing for data sharing between different systems and manufacturers standards. This is crucial for creating a unified system where all devices, regardless of manufacturer or protocol, can communicate and share data effortlessly.