Microsoft launches cross-Azure IoT collaboration

Microsoft has unveiled a cross-Azure IoT collaboration simplifying the use of location and spatial intelligence used in conjunction with IoT messaging to help Azure Internet of Things (IoT) services customers stay better informed about their “things” in terms of space.

The move means Azure IoT customers can now implement spatial analytics using Azure Maps.

Providing spatial intelligence to IoT devices means greater insights into not just what’s happening, but where it’s happening.

Chris Pendleton Principal PM Manager, Azure Maps

Azure Maps provides geographic context for information and, also geographic insights based on IoT information. Microsoft said customers use Azure Maps and Azure IoT for monitoring movement of assets and cross reference the “things” with their location.

Here’s how Microsoft has illustrated the use of Azure IoT edge computing:

Say a truck is delivering refrigerated goods from New York City to Washington DC. A route is calculated to determine the path and duration the truck should take to deliver the goods. From the route, a geofence can be created and stored in Azure Maps. The black box on the truck tracking the vehicle would provide Azure IoT Hub to determine if the truck ever leaves the predetermined path. If it does, this could signal that something is wrong—a detour could be disastrous for refrigerated goods. Notifications of detours could be and communicated through Azure Event Grid and sent over email, text, or a myriad of other communication mediums.

Deploying the Location of Things means getting data from sensors which leads to insights which leads to actions and where they are needed. Knowing where to take actions has massive implications in terms of cost efficacy and time management.

This new way helps customers take informed decisions of where to deploy resources, where to deploy inventory, or where to withdraw them. Run this over time and with enough data and artificial intelligence, and they can deploy the edge to help with real-time decision making.

Image by 2023583 from Pixabay

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