How to radically reduce costs in IoT automation?
We propose a step-by-step strategy for the secure deployment of open-source solutions
The implementation of large-scale automation systems often faces a rigid entry barrier, which operates on two levels simultaneously:
- main engineers are concerned about the stability of the critical infrastructure of the facility (and they are right)
- business owners are afraid of freezing millions in closed vendor solutions that cannot be easily adapted to changing tasks. And they are right too.
How to safely navigate this path, harness the enormous potential of open-source solutions, and radically optimize the budget?
There is nothing complicated here if you solve the problem step by step. We suggest using the evolutionary design method, based on common sense and pragmatic risk management.
Algorithm for a safe transition:
- Step 1. Task categorization. Divide all automation circuits of your facility into three groups: critical (main production, life support), secondary, and auxiliary.
- Step 2. Defining the test perimeter. In the auxiliary task group, identify the most isolated, local processes (for example, passive collection of meteorological data, monitoring the filling of secondary reservoirs, or tracking lighting operations in a remote warehouse).
Our proposal: Delegate the automation of these isolated auxiliary circuits to the Symbiosei engineering team.
We will deploy an independent system for them based on open platforms (Home Assistant) and a professionally secured component base.
This solution will come at a minimal cost and provide the facility with three crucial advantages: - Relief for your top personnel. The evolutionary approach allows for efficient parallelization of efforts. We take on the routine tasks of automation, freeing up your valuable and skilled engineering staff—they can now focus entirely on the main production.
- Physical security up to 100% level. Home Assistant is inherently local and independent of external clouds. If you require absolute information security guarantees—we will build a system on a closed, isolated wired circuit (using classic shielded cable) that is physically impenetrable from the outside.
- Rational balance of risks and profitability. Let's be frank, significant budget cuts in automation implementation come at a price. Saving on licenses is not just a wonderful advantage of open architecture, but also your reward for a thorough understanding of your business and readiness to manage risks. Finding it hard to decide on this? Start small—with one isolated auxiliary automation circuit. Here the risks are minimal, and the gains from subsequent scaling can be enormous.
Next comes the evolutionary approach:
- Step 3. Verification and variability. Evaluate the stability, speed, and convenience of the new system based on the first isolated circuit.
What is the main advantage of open-source software at this stage? Unprecedented flexibility. We can deploy and test two to three alternative automation scenarios simultaneously. You can "feel out" different control logic options, compare them in real conditions, and based on live practice, choose the one that best suits your team. - Step 4. Modular scaling. If you are satisfied with the results of the first stage, we move on to more complex circuits. Open-source software offers unparalleled flexibility: the system is expanded step by step without stopping already running nodes. It forgives planning errors: if the logic needs to be changed during operation, we will reconfigure the setup to meet new requirements without writing off expensive equipment.
Through this controlled evolution process, you will practically see that up to 50%, and in some cases up to 95% of all automation tasks of the facility can be effectively addressed with open-source solutions.
As a result, you will receive a modern, resilient system that adapts to your business needs in a matter of days. At the same time, you will permanently rid yourself of vendor lock-in and cabalistic subscriptions for each added sensor.
Our approach is simple: where during operation we realize that specialized expensive hardware is truly needed—we will acquire it. However, in the vast majority of cases, a flexible, open, and accessible solution will prove radically more convenient and efficient for your business. Submit a consultation request
P.S. Until now, we have been talking about cost, and that is undoubtedly important, but in my opinion, not the most crucial. The greatest advantage of open-source code lies in its unprecedented evolution speed.
Hundreds of thousands of engineers worldwide work daily on improving protocols, algorithms, and security systems, while millions of users continuously crash-test interfaces in real conditions. This guarantees a unique level of protection against operational errors—the system has been polished by the community to a state where it is physically impossible for an end user to break anything.
With open-source code, you can constantly, promptly, and freely incorporate the most advanced engineering solutions into your arsenal. Or choose not to, staying within the confines of an old, proven version, because another important advantage of open-source code is freedom of choice.
Respectfully,
R&D Director and
Co-founder of Symbiosei
Alexander Ershov
