Dell, Microsoft team up to simplify deployment of IoT solutions

Dell Technologies and Microsoft have formed a partnership over Internet of Things (IoT) to simplify deployment of customers’ IoT solutions, all the way from devices to the cloud. 

In the partnership, business software provider VMware (a subsidiary of Dell Technologies) will monitor and manage devices through its Pulse IoT Centre; Microsoft will collect, analyse and act on data in real time via its Azure IoT Edge, and Dell Edge Gateways will connect devices and systems.

The combination is expected to offer customers streamlined management as well as centralised monitoring and security, all the way from devices to the cloud, the companies said.

The joint solution offers underlying IoT infrastructure, management capabilities and security for customers looking to deploy IoT solutions in scenarios like predictive maintenance, supply-chain visibility and others, the companies added. 

Under the new joint solution, Dell Edge Gateways will send data to the cloud via powerful dual-core Intel Atom processors; Azure IoT Edge application will let devices act locally and leverage the cloud for global coordination and machine learning; VMware Pulse IoT Center will provide secure, enterprise-grade management and monitoring of devices including Dell Edge Gateways.  

“This ecosystem will be built over time involving deeper integration and certification to support customer requirements,” the companies said. 

The partnership comes two months after the announcement of another IoT tie-up involving Dell Technologies subsidiary VMware, Swedish firm Axis Communications and Indian IT major Wipro, among others. The tie-up would focus on delivering new edge-computing solutions for purposes such as asset management and smart surveillance as part of VMware’s new IoT strategy.

Edge computing involves processing data close to the source rather than in a centralised location such as a cloud. Enterprises are increasingly switching to edge computing to save time and money.

The solutions would be created via VMware's vSAN hyper-converged infrastructure software, vSphere virtualisation server and VMware Pulse IoT Center.
The collaboration involving Wipro and others will see the company offering manufacturers a complete edge-to-cloud IoT solution.