How to solve IoT integration challenges and create a blueprint for seamless connectivity

The number of connected devices will reach an astonishing 27 billion globally by 2025, transforming how businesses operate and interact with data. These devices generate vast amounts of information, offering companies valuable insights to enhance decision-making and efficiency. In fact, businesses that successfully implement IoT solutions can see efficiency gains of 20% to 30%.

However, the road to achieving these benefits isn't straightforward. Over half of companies report that integrating IoT with their existing systems is one of their biggest hurdles. Salesforce tools can bridge the gap between IoT devices and customer records with its flexible ecosystem and powerful tools like API.

In this article, we’ll explore the main IoT implementation challenges and solutions and provide a clear strategy to help businesses navigate this complex process. We’ll also share insights from our own experience working with an IoT company to demonstrate how these solutions can be applied in practice.

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Five common IoT integration challenges

Most Internet of Things integration challenges are tied to managing the immense amount of data that these devices generate. The sheer volume of information is one issue, but there’s also the fact that this data can come in various forms—text, numbers, or sensor readings—making it difficult to manage effectively. Let’s break down five common IoT challenges that arise during integration.

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Data synchronization

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One of the biggest hurdles in IoT integration is keeping data synchronized across all connected systems. Think about it: weather forecasts that were accurate five minutes ago might be outdated now, leading to decision-making mistakes. The key challenge is ensuring that data shared by IoT devices is updated in real-time so all systems stay in sync. Without consistent updates, the data becomes fragmented, and different systems may end up working with old or conflicting information, creating errors.

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Systems compatibility

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Another common challenge is that not all systems are designed to work with IoT devices right out of the box. IoT devices often use varying standards and communication protocols, meaning one system might not easily communicate with another. This lack of compatibility complicates the integration process and requires customized solutions to make sure everything works together smoothly.

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Security

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IoT devices gather and transmit a lot of sensitive data—whether it’s health data from wearables or location data from smart home devices. Unfortunately, due to limited security features, IoT devices are often vulnerable to attacks, making them a target for hackers. This is why securing the data and protecting the systems involved in IoT integrations requires special attention.

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Data management

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IoT devices generate an overwhelming amount of data. Managing these large volumes of information is challenging on its own, but ensuring data quality adds another layer of complexity. Data from IoT devices must be clean, accurate, and organized in ways that make it sound. Poor data management can lead to incorrect analysis and bad decision-making.

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Integration complexity

Finally, IoT integration often involves connecting systems and devices from multiple vendors using different standards, APIs, or protocols. The process becomes even more complex when making these various systems work together harmoniously. This complexity often requires expertise to navigate, as not all devices will “speak the same language,” so to speak.

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Case study: how we helped our client to overcome the IoT integration complexity issue

Our client, a global technology manufacturer specializing in advanced radiofrequency components, faced significant challenges in syncing data between their various systems. They relied on Hubspot for CRM, Tacton for CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote), and SAP Business One for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). Each platform served a unique purpose, but they were not designed to communicate seamlessly with one another.

The biggest pain point was the tedious process of transferring order information between Tacton and SAP Business One. After closing deals, the team had to input data manually, which led to inefficiencies and a higher risk of errors, especially when different systems required different part number formats for product identification. The company needed an automated solution to synchronize data between these systems without disrupting their existing workflows, and the solution also had to be compatible with Hubspot for potential future integrations.

Our solutions

• Built a custom, two-step application with queuing management on AWS for seamless order data transfer.
• Developed an endpoint to receive new or updated quote details from Tacton for streamlined data processing.
• Created a backend system to store processed data in a format accessible to the client.
• Established an API connection with Tacton to handle diverse data combinations.
• Built a transformation layer to generate SAP-compatible part numbers based on unique item characteristics.
• Provided consulting on Amazon Elastic Container Registry to improve system reliability.

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Results and business impact

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Our solution significantly reduced manual work by automating part number processing between Tacton and SAP, enabling our client to maintain their preferred systems without disruptions. Data consistency was vastly improved, ensuring smoother workflows across platforms. The infrastructure was designed to handle large data volumes, automatically scaling to meet high demand, while security was strengthened with VPNs and whitelisted IPs.

This automation sped up quote processing, improving system reliability and faster response times. As a result, the company saw enhanced efficiency, greater accuracy in product identification, and increased customer satisfaction, even during peak periods, processing more than 1,000,000 requests at a time.

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A guide to crafting a blueprint for seamless IoT integration

Integrating IoT devices with your existing systems can be complex, but a well-structured approach makes it manageable. Let’s take a closer look at key steps for creating a smooth IoT integration, with insights from our experience in solving similar IoT problems for our clients. By following these steps, you'll be able to ensure that your IoT devices work seamlessly with your systems and provide value without disruption.

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Step 1: Assess current systems

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Before jumping into the integration process, evaluate the systems you currently have in place. Start by mapping out how data moves through your systems and identifying the areas where IoT data will need to interact with other platforms. A thorough review of your system’s data formats, communication protocols, and workflows will help highlight any gaps or misalignments.

For example, suppose your IoT devices generate data in a format that your CRM system cannot process. In that case, you’ll need to adjust either the device output or your system's data handling capabilities. Pay particular attention to areas where real-time data from IoT devices—such as temperature sensors, tracking data, or status updates—needs to interact with your customer data or operational workflows.

Our tip:

Focus on integration touchpoints. The most important areas to review are where IoT data will be used in decision-making, reporting, or customer interactions. For example, syncing real-time data with customer records can give your sales and service teams an edge in providing more personalized and timely responses.

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Step 2: Choose integration tools

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Next, you need to select the right integration tools. These can include middleware solutions or custom integrations that bridge the gap between your IoT devices and your existing systems.

Our tips:

Consider the following tools:

• MuleSoft is ideal for integrating IoT devices with CRM, ERP, and databases. It simplifies data flow with strong API management and transformation capabilities, allowing you to standardize and route data efficiently.
• Zapier is great for simpler IoT applications. It connects IoT devices with Salesforce and offers easy automation options.
• IBM Cloud Integration is known for flexibility and AI-driven integration. It supports real-time data syncing and handles complex data flows between IoT and enterprise systems.

• Ensure that your IoT platform and your CRM, ERP, or other systems offer flexible and scalable APIs. Look for APIs that handle high data volumes and provide easy configuration for future system updates or expansions.

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Step 3: Implement real-time data synchronization

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With integration tools in place, it’s time to set up real-time data synchronization between your IoT devices and CRM. Cloud-based integration services, like AWS IoT Core or Google Cloud IoT, can facilitate this process by efficiently managing and synchronizing large volumes of data.

Our tips:

• Choose cloud-based services like AWS IoT Core or Google Cloud IoT to manage and sync large data volumes data in real-time and ensure low-latency communication.
• Establish data pipelines to process data efficiently and route data from IoT devices to your system. Event-driven architectures can push updates in real-time, keeping everything synchronized.

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Step 4: Address security integration challenges in IoT

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Security is a significant concern in IoT integration since these devices often transmit sensitive data. Ensuring your integration process keeps this data secure at all levels should be a top priority.

Our tips:

• Protect data with end-to-end encryption as it moves between IoT devices and systems. This step will ensure that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read or manipulated.
• Use secure communication protocols and authentication measures like VPNs or whitelisted IPs to safeguard your system from potential breaches.
• Use device-level authentication protocols to ensure that only authorized devices can connect. This practice will add an extra layer of security and protect against potential malicious devices trying to enter your network.

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Step 5: Conduct end-to-end testing

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Before going live, it’s essential to test the entire IoT integration process from start to finish. This ensures all systems work harmoniously and can handle the demands of real-time data exchange.

Our tip:

During end-to-end testing, simulate various scenarios, including large-scale data transfers, system failures, and peak usage periods. A thorough approach will help you identify any weak spots in the integration and ensure that your system can handle the demands of real-time IoT data. Testing for security vulnerabilities is also essential to confirm that your data remains safe even under stress.

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Key takeaways

Integrating IoT devices is no small feat. Many of the challenges you face likely revolve around data—whether it’s syncing real-time information across systems, managing compatibility issues, or ensuring security during transmission. For example, trying to keep different systems like your Salesforce CRM, ERP, and IoT devices all aligned can lead to headaches if they don’t “speak the same language.” Add the complexity of securing sensitive data, and the whole process becomes overwhelming.

At Noltic, we’ve navigated these waters before. Take our work with a global tech manufacturer, for example. They struggled to sync their CPQ and ERP systems, leading to hours of manual data entry. Our team stepped in, built a custom solution to automate data flow between the two systems, and scaled it to handle millions of data points without compromising security. The result? A seamless, efficient process that eliminated errors and freed more time for the team to focus on more critical tasks.

We understand the unique industry challenges, and our experience in developing customized Salesforce solutions and IoT data integrations can help you overcome them. Whether it’s real-time data synchronization, system compatibility, or security concerns, we’ve been there, solved that, and our team of 10+ certified Salesforce architects can help you do the same. 

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FAQs

What are the best practices for ongoing IoT integration management?

Managing IoT integration effectively over time requires a combination of proactive monitoring, security management, and scalability planning. Here are a few best practices:

1. Monitor data flows: Set up automated systems to continuously track data movement between your IoT devices and integrated platforms. Use real-time dashboards that alert you to any irregularities or delays.
2. Routine updates and maintenance: Ensure that all your integration tools, APIs, and middleware solutions are regularly updated to handle the latest versions of your software and IoT devices. This avoids compatibility issues that could disrupt data flows.
3. Security reviews: IoT integrations often involve sensitive data, so it’s crucial to conduct regular security audits. Implement end-to-end encryption and review your authentication methods to ensure access only to authorized devices and users.
4. Scaling strategies: As your IoT network grows, so does the complexity of managing the data. Plan for scalability by choosing solutions to handle increasing data loads and ensure your infrastructure can support additional devices and connections without performance drops.
5. Cross-team collaboration: Ensure that different departments, from IT to operations, are aligned on integration goals. This collaboration helps quickly resolve any issues and ensures that the IoT ecosystem functions smoothly across your organization.

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How can companies measure the success of their IoT integration efforts?

Measuring the success of your IoT integration goes beyond just tracking data. Here’s how you can assess whether your efforts are paying off:

1. Efficiency gains: Monitor how much manual effort has been reduced due to automation. Successful IoT integration should lead to fewer manual processes, faster data processing, and less need for human intervention.
2. Data accuracy: A well-integrated IoT system should minimize errors in data transfers between systems. Track how often data mismatches occur and see if those incidents have decreased post-integration.
3. Real-time insights: Check if your team can make quicker informed decisions with real-time data availability. Faster access to accurate data is one of the biggest benefits of a strong IoT integration.
4. Customer satisfaction: Improved IoT systems should improve customer experiences, especially in industries where data responsiveness matters (e.g., logistics, healthcare). Look at customer feedback and measure how your responsiveness has improved.
5. Scalability: Evaluate how well your integration scales. As you add new devices or systems, the integration should continue to perform without degradation. If your system handles more devices without requiring additional manual interventions, that’s a clear sign of successful integration.

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What are the benefits of a well-integrated IoT system?

A well-integrated IoT system brings numerous benefits to your organization, including:

1. Improved operational efficiency: Automating data exchange between devices and systems greatly reduces manual work. For example, syncing data between your IoT devices and backend systems like CRM, ERP, or other management tools allows for streamlined workflows and faster processes.
2. Real-time data access: With a properly integrated IoT system, data from your devices can be accessed and processed in real-time. This is essential for industries that depend on up-to-the-minute information, such as supply chain management or healthcare. Real-time data can lead to faster decision-making and a more agile response to changes.
3. Enhanced customer experiences: IoT systems that are integrated well can provide valuable customer insights, enabling more personalized interactions and faster service responses. For instance, in retail or healthcare, knowing device status or customer behavior instantly allows for timely and relevant engagement.
4. Increased scalability: As your operations grow, so will the number of IoT devices and the data they generate. A well-implemented integration ensures that your system can handle this growth without running into bottlenecks or needing constant adjustments.
5. Greater data security: Proper IoT integration ensures data is securely transferred between systems using encryption and other security protocols, reducing the risk of breaches. 
6. Cross-platform compatibility: When done correctly, IoT integration allows different platforms, devices, and systems to work together seamlessly. This means you’re not tied down to a single vendor’s technology, and you can incorporate new tools as they become available, providing flexibility in managing and expanding your operations.