Investments in IoT and edge computing have continued to grow in 2023 despite challenges in the broader economy, with the Eclipse Foundation seeing the open-source model as a key factor in boosting these benefits.

The foundation recently published its 2022 IoT and Edge Commercial Adoption Survey, based on responses from over 260 IoT and edge professionals. The survey found that just over half (53%) of respondents were already deploying IoT solutions, though this may be a relatively low number. An additional 24% planned to deploy solutions within the next 12 to 24 months. Similarly, 53% of respondents said they were either using or planning to use edge computing technologies within the next year.

One clear trend identified in the report was not just investment, but the scale of deployments. It found that deployments with fewer than 1,000 managed assets would likely remain steady or decline. Over half (52%) of implementations involved a mix of new (greenfield) and existing (brownfield) assets. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents expected to spend between $100,000 and $1 million on IoT and edge technologies in 2022, with that number increasing to 33% for expected spending in 2023.

The open-source trend was also significant, with nearly 73% of respondents saying they considered open-source options in their deployment plans. Among these, 38% were focused exclusively on open-source IoT and edge solutions. The main reasons for choosing open-source solutions were the ability to customize or influence code, cited by 30% of those polled, followed by flexibility (22%) and cost savings (16%).

The report also provided several recommendations for enterprises, solution providers, and vendors. It stressed that enterprises need to actively support open-source projects to gain the most value. Contributing to relevant open-source projects not only helps employees gain valuable skills but also ensures the long-term sustainability of those projects and communities. The report also emphasized that solution providers must have a solid edge computing strategy.

For vendors, the report suggested focusing on developing solutions that optimize specific workflows or address particular challenges. With many generic platforms already available on the market, the key to standing out is creating features and capabilities that differentiate their offerings.