Infrastructure, not gadgets, is the key to success of IoT
Sensors and other connected items are secondary to support network, claims HPE executive


While many people focus on sensors and gadgets when talking about the Internet of Things (IoT), it is the infrastructure behind the scenes that will make or break the technology, it has been claimed.
Speaking at a press conference at HPE Discover in London, Robert Youngjohns, EVP and GM of software at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), said: "When people think about the Internet of Things, they often immediately go to a discussion of sensors, smart meters, Nest controllers, cameras, because that's the interesting thing, that's always the gadget. But actually, what I think is going to make the Internet of Things come to life is the infrastructure you will need to support it."
"What you really need is intelligence ... you need software, you need analytics ... so I think, as you think about Internet of Things, you've got to think about companies that are going to build the infrastructure, the analytics, the security capabilities to support it, because that's going to actually be more important in terms of widespread deployment than the actual devices themselves."
It is no coincidence that these comments were made at the launch of HPE's new IoT devices, particularly Edgeline, which can analyse data in real time at the edge of a company's network.
Youngjohns also pointed to the company's Vertica analytics Big Data analytics software as an example of the type of infrastructure that can carry out this kind of work.
Nevertheless is not alone in this opinion, nor is HPE the only company attempting to crack the IoT infrastructure market. AWS recently announced its own IoT cloud platform and former BT CTO told IT Pro that greater insight into IoT infrastructure will provide "significant gains" as the IoT develops.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives

Jane McCallion is Managing Editor of ITPro and ChannelPro, specializing in data centers, enterprise IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Before becoming Managing Editor, she held the role of Deputy Editor and, prior to that, Features Editor, managing a pool of freelance and internal writers, while continuing to specialize in enterprise IT infrastructure, and business strategy.
Prior to joining ITPro, Jane was a freelance business journalist writing as both Jane McCallion and Jane Bordenave for titles such as European CEO, World Finance, and Business Excellence Magazine.
-
What is polymorphic malware?
Explainer Polymorphic malware constantly changes its code to avoid detection, making it a top cybersecurity threat that demands advanced, behavior-based defenses
-
Outgoing Kaseya CEO teases "this is just the beginning" for the company
Opinion We spoke to Fred Voccola who remains a key figurehead at the firm as it enters its next chapter...
-
HPE eyes enterprise data sovereignty gains with Aruba Networking Central expansion
News HPE has announced a sweeping expansion of its Aruba Networking Central platform, offering users a raft of new features focused on driving security and data sovereignty.
-
HPE unveils Mod Pod AI ‘data center-in-a-box’ at Nvidia GTC
News Water-cooled containers will improve access to HPC and AI hardware, the company claimed
-
‘Divorced from reality’: HPE slams DOJ over bid to block Juniper deal, claims move will benefit Cisco
News HPE has criticized the US Department of Justice's attempt to block its acquisition of Juniper Networks, claiming it will benefit competitors such as Cisco.
-
HPE plans to "vigorously defend" Juniper Networks deal as DoJ files suit to block acquisition
News The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed a suit against HPE over its proposed acquisition of Juniper Networks, citing competition concerns.
-
HPE Discover Barcelona: What’s the business benefit of supercomputers?
ITPro Podcast With potential in fields such as AI to scientific modelling, global interest in supercomputers continues to rise
-
El Capitan powers up, becomes fastest supercomputer in the world
News Earth’s newest supercomputer is fast, efficient, and its use cases are rather different
-
HPE ProLiant DL145 Gen11 review: HPE pushes EPYC power to the network edge
Reviews A rugged and very well-designed edge server offering a remarkably high EPYC core count for its size
-
Inside Lumi, one of the world’s greenest supercomputers
Long read Located less than 200 miles from the Arctic Circle, Europe’s fastest supercomputer gives a glimpse of how we can balance high-intensity workloads and AI with sustainability