Where does IoT data collection begin?

Data collection for the Internet of Things (IoT) begins at the edge, which refers to the devices and sensors that are closest to the data source. These edge devices collect data from their environment—such as temperature readings, motion detection, or other measurable variables. This initial collection is crucial, as it is where raw data is generated before it is processed, analyzed, or transmitted to other systems.

Edge devices play a vital role in IoT architecture because they can perform real-time data collection and, often, preliminary processing. This capability helps reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent over the internet or to the cloud, optimizing bandwidth and reducing latency. In IoT applications, efficiency and immediate responsiveness are critical, making the edge the starting point for data collection.

Subsequent stages, such as transmitting this data to the cloud or processing it in databases, happen after the initial data has been gathered from the edge. These later stages involve storage and advanced analytics but are not where the data collection itself begins.