Microsoft offers businesses a pathway into the IoT with Azure, its cloud computing platform for IoT and mobile. Now, Samsung is releasing a rival service with Artik Cloud, an IoT hub for business.
At the Samsung Developer Conference on Wednesday, the company announced that Artik Cloud will fill the same niche as Azure or IBM’s Bluemix, providing a connection to companies’ existing cloud services or data storage. Cloud storage allows the aggregation and secure examination of data from a variety of types of sensors, as well as server installations. Like other cloud services for business, it is intended to connect businesses easily with Internet of Things services and connected products. For security, it offers open internet standards based authentication, privacy and permissions management, and secure device registration.
Artik will be able to communicate with Amazon Echo, FitBit, Nest, Twitter and Instagram, and other wearables, home automation services and smartwatches, including devices built on the Raspberry Pi. Azure also can communicate with Raspberry Pi platforms, while Samsung has its own IoT development service called SAMI.
Along with the Cloud service itself, Samsung has also offered a variety of other Artik-branded devices, including IoT developer boards.
The Cloud service starts with a free version with limited service, and customers that have large IoT networks can receive individualized quotes. The highest level of tiered pricing is $6 per device, which provides a maximum of 100,000 messages.
This is Samsung’s first step into the Cloud services market, and will attempt to bring together the company’s many other services.
Young Sohn, president and CSO of Samsung Electronics, emphasized Artik Cloud’s ability to break down barriers between devices.
“As more and more consumer IoT devices are created and brought to market, the need for interoperability becomes paramount as it is the key to creating more compelling and integrated experiences,” said Samsung Electronics CEO B.K. Yoon in a press release. “The need for an open cloud solution that can work with any connected device, and with other cloud services is critical for broader consumer adoption.”
