Types of IoT analytics

There are four principal types of, or approaches to, IoT data analytics:

• Historical, or descriptive, analytics.
• Real-time, or diagnostic, analytics.
• Predictive analytics.
• Prescriptive analysis.

Here's a closer look at their use cases -- some unique and others interrelated.

Historical analytics

Historical analytics, or descriptive analytics, examines IoT data gathered over time to spot trends and find patterns. A business then evaluates behaviors in systems or environments to make objective determinations about their accuracy, efficiency or appropriate use. Historical analytics identifies valuable -- and often overlooked or undetected -- data patterns and relationships.

For example, a smart city collects data about traffic patterns and road conditions to understand the durability and performance of its transportation infrastructure. Such data helps determine road and bridge longevity, leading to improved repair and upgraded strategies.

Real-time analytics

Real-time analytics, or diagnostic analytics, immediately identifies anomalies or deviations from the norm, improving business response to unforeseen events or ...