Losant - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Losant - Product Overview
Overview
Losant is an enterprise IoT (Internet of Things) platform that simplifies the process of building, managing, and scaling connected solutions. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features.Primary Function
Losant is an application enablement platform that helps enterprises quickly and securely build complex IoT solutions. It focuses on collecting, aggregating, and visualizing data from a vast number of devices, enabling real-time insights and automated processes.Target Audience
The platform is geared towards enterprises and teams that need to develop and manage IoT products and services. This includes systems integrators, IoT consultants, sensor and gateway manufacturers, and other organizations looking to integrate IoT solutions into their operations.Key Features
End-User Experiences
Losant allows you to build fully functional web interfaces for interacting with connected devices. You can create custom, branded user interfaces and APIs, complete with secure user groups, custom domains, and full SSL support.Visual Workflow Engine
This feature provides a drag-and-drop workflow editor to implement business logic and enable interactions between devices and third-party systems. Workflows are central to how devices communicate with each other and other services.Data Visualization
The platform includes customizable dashboards to visualize data from one or more devices. You can customize the scope and detail of the information displayed using a drag-and-drop interface. Additionally, Losant integrates with Jupyter Notebooks for advanced batch analytics.Devices and Data Sources
Losant supports device connectivity through open industry standards like MQTT and REST APIs. There are also SDKs available for Node.js, Ruby, Python, and Arduino, making it easy for devices to connect and communicate through State and Commands.Edge Compute
This feature allows you to deploy workflows to connected devices, enabling local execution of commands without the need for cloud connectivity. This enhances real-time decision-making capabilities at the device level.Additional Benefits
Scalability
Losant can handle millions of devices and data points per second, ensuring seamless scalability as your business grows.Security
The platform is SOC 2 compliant, ensuring high standards of security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.Low-Code Approach
Losant’s low-code workflow engine speeds up the development process, making it easier for teams to build and deploy IoT applications quickly. Overall, Losant provides a comprehensive suite of tools that make it easier for enterprises to connect, visualize, and automate their devices and data, leading to real-time insights and actionable intelligence. Losant - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Design
Losant introduced a significantly revamped user interface in 2019, which was based on user feedback and observations of how users interact with the platform. This update included a vertical navigation system, making it easier for users to find and access different features and applications.
Ease of Use
The platform is known for its low-code workflow engine, which allows users to collect, centralize, and integrate data from various connected devices and systems without requiring extensive programming knowledge. This feature makes it simpler for users to manage and orchestrate their data, leading to real-time insights and actionable intelligence.
Dashboards and Visualization
Losant’s dashboards are highly customizable and flexible, allowing users to display information relevant to their specific connected solutions. Users can add various blocks to their dashboards to visualize different types of data, and these blocks can be easily searched, sorted, and managed. The dashboard settings also include options for changing the display style, such as switching between dark and light modes or viewing the dashboard in fullscreen.
Search and Organization
The platform includes an application-wide search feature, which helps users quickly find the resources they need. Additionally, the organization permissions interface has been updated to make managing user permissions more intuitive.
User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by features such as automatic provisioning, digital twin capabilities, and seamless integration with various systems like PLCs, CRMs, Azure, and AWS. Users have reported positive experiences, such as Clark Construction’s Lead Engineer, who was able to connect and monitor a job site remotely without a programming background.
Continuous Improvement
Losant continuously updates its platform based on user feedback, adding new features and improving existing ones. For example, recent updates have included improvements to resource jobs, experience endpoint replies, and third-party data integrations, which help in streamlining workflows and enhancing the overall user experience.
In summary, Losant’s user interface is designed to be intuitive, easy to use, and highly customizable, making it a user-friendly platform for building and managing IoT solutions.
Losant - Key Features and Functionality
The Losant Enterprise IoT Platform
The Losant Enterprise IoT Platform is a comprehensive suite of tools that enables users to connect, visualize, and automate their devices and data, integrating several key features that are particularly relevant in the context of networking tools and AI-driven products.
End-User Experiences
Losant allows you to build fully functional web interfaces through its End-User Experiences feature. This enables users to interact with connected devices via custom, branded user interfaces and APIs. Key benefits include custom domains with full SSL support, secure user groups for authentication, and direct access to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This feature ensures that users can engage with IoT devices in a secure and personalized manner.
Visual Workflow Engine
The Visual Workflow Engine is a drag-and-drop workflow editor that simplifies the implementation of business logic and enables complex interactions between devices and third-party systems. Workflows are the primary method by which devices communicate with each other and other services. This engine allows users to create and manage workflows visually, making it easier to automate and integrate various IoT components.
Data Visualization
Losant includes customizable dashboarding tools to visualize complex data aggregations across one or more devices. Users can customize the scope and level of detail displayed through a drag-and-drop interface. Additionally, Losant integrates with Jupyter Notebooks, allowing for advanced batch analytics using device state data, data tables, and third-party sources. This feature helps in generating insightful reports and visualizations, making data more actionable.
Devices and Data Sources
Device connectivity in Losant is facilitated by open industry standards such as MQTT protocol and REST APIs. There are also SDKs available for Node.js, Ruby, Python, and Arduino, making it easy for devices that support these technologies to connect without additional implementation. Device communication occurs through State (a snapshot of the device at a point in time) and Commands (instructions for devices to take specific actions). This ensures seamless and standardized communication between devices and the platform.
Edge Compute
Losant’s Edge Compute feature allows users to deploy workflows created using the Visual Workflow Engine directly to connected devices. This enables command decisions to be made locally on the devices without the need for cloud connectivity, enhancing real-time response capabilities and reducing latency.
AI Integration with Elipsa
Losant has partnered with Elipsa to integrate AI and machine learning into its IoT platform. Elipsa’s AI platform collects live IoT data from connected machines, trains, tests, and deploys machine learning models automatically. These models identify patterns indicative of future problems and provide predictive maintenance insights. The integration allows for real-time anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and other AI-driven use cases such as predicting system failures, tank levels, and manufacturing process outcomes. This integration delivers a unified view of equipment metrics and health, all within the Losant platform.
Predictive Maintenance and Monitoring
The combination of Losant and Elipsa offers a predictive maintenance solution that uses AI to analyze IoT data. This solution includes rapid deployment templates for building models for any type of machine and automated deployment and retraining of AI models. The insights gathered are seamlessly delivered to the Losant dashboard, enabling users to monitor devices, identify abnormalities, and avoid unwanted outcomes in a single, end-to-end solution.
These features collectively enable users to build scalable, secure, and highly automated IoT solutions that leverage AI for predictive analytics and real-time decision-making.
Losant - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the Performance and Accuracy of Losant in AI-Driven Products
Performance
Losant’s Enterprise IoT Platform is known for its ability to handle large volumes of data efficiently. Here are some performance highlights:- The platform can process millions of data points per second, ensuring it can handle the demands of a data-intensive environment without hitting any limits.
- It integrates seamlessly with various systems, including PLCs, CRMs, and cloud services like Azure and AWS, which enhances its performance in diverse industrial settings.
- The low-code workflow engine allows for quick and easy collection, centralization, and integration of data from connected devices, which simplifies the process and improves operational efficiency.
Accuracy
The accuracy of Losant’s solutions is largely driven by its integration with machine learning and AI technologies:- When combined with Google Cloud Machine Learning Engine, Losant can train, deploy, and retrain machine learning models to detect machine failures and predict outcomes accurately. This ensures that the models continually improve over time.
- The integration with Elipsa’s AI platform allows for automated training, testing, and deployment of machine learning models. These models identify patterns indicative of future problems, providing accurate predictions based on live IoT data.
- The platform’s ability to automate anomaly detection and predict future failures helps in maintaining high accuracy in predictive maintenance.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Losant offers a comprehensive suite of tools, there are a few areas to consider:- Dependency on External Services: The full potential of Losant’s predictive maintenance capabilities relies on integration with external services like Google Cloud Machine Learning Engine and Elipsa’s AI platform. Any limitations or issues with these services could impact Losant’s performance.
- Initial Setup and Stakeholder Support: Effective implementation of Losant requires support from stakeholders and internal teams. Identifying the right problem to solve and aligning it with real business value is crucial, which can sometimes be a challenging initial step.
- Customization and Specific Expertise: While Losant offers a low-code environment, certain advanced customizations or specific AI models might require specialized expertise, which could be a barrier for some users.
Losant - Pricing and Plans
Losant Pricing Model
Losant offers a clear and structured pricing model for its IoT platform, divided into several tiers to cater to different needs and scales of operation.
Launch Plan
- Cost: $250 per month
- Payloads: 100,000 payloads per month
- Additional Payloads: $100 per additional 100,000 payloads
- Data Retention: 90 days
- Support: Forums support
This plan is suitable for initial development and small-scale deployments.
Growth Plan
- Cost: $1,000 per month
- Payloads: 500,000 payloads per month
- Additional Payloads: $50 per additional 100,000 payloads
- Data Retention: 180 days
- Support: Forums and Email support
This plan is ideal for scaling applications to serve a larger target market.
Enterprise Plan
- Cost: Custom pricing (requires discussion with Losant)
- Payloads: Millions of payloads per month
- Data Retention: Up to 5 years
- Support: Dedicated 24/7 support
- Additional Features: Private installation options, customizable solutions
This plan is for large-scale, enterprise-level IoT deployments and offers extensive support and flexibility.
Free Trial
- Duration: 60-day free trial
- Features: Full access to all components of the Losant IoT platform
- Devices: Connect unlimited devices
- Support: Two one-hour solution support calls, dedicated email support
This trial allows teams to collaboratively build IoT applications, evaluate the platform, and receive direct support from Losant’s Solution Architects without any commitment or credit card requirement.
Summary
In summary, Losant’s pricing structure is tiered, offering increasing levels of service and support as you move from the Launch to the Growth and finally to the Enterprise plan. The free trial provides a comprehensive introduction to the platform’s capabilities.
Losant - Integration and Compatibility
Losant Integration Overview
Losant, an Enterprise IoT Platform, integrates with various tools and devices through several methods, ensuring broad compatibility and flexibility.Device Connectivity
Losant supports device connectivity using open industry standards such as MQTT and REST APIs. Devices can connect to Losant using these protocols, and there are also SDKs available for Node.js, Ruby, Python, and Arduino, making it easy to integrate devices that support these technologies.Webhooks
One of the primary methods for integrating data from external devices or services is through webhooks. For example, you can push data from Particle devices to Losant using webhooks, and then use Losant Workflows to process and save this data.MQTT Integration
Losant also supports MQTT integration, which is particularly useful for real-time data streaming. For instance, integrating with The Things Network (TTN) can be done using MQTT, where TTN publishes MQTT messages that Losant can pick up and process through workflows.Visual Workflow Engine
The Visual Workflow Engine is a drag-and-drop interface that allows you to implement business logic and enable interactions between devices and third-party systems. This engine is crucial for processing data received from various sources and automating actions based on that data.Data Visualization and End-User Experiences
Losant provides customizable dashboards for data visualization, allowing you to display complex aggregations across multiple devices. Additionally, you can build fully functional web interfaces with custom branding, secure user groups, and direct access to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for end-user experiences.Edge Compute
Losant’s Edge Compute feature enables you to deploy workflows to connected devices, allowing command decisions to be made locally without the need for cloud connectivity. This enhances real-time decision-making and reduces latency.Integration with Other Platforms
Losant can integrate with various other platforms and systems, such as PLCs, CRMs, Azure, AWS, and more. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from industrial equipment monitoring to asset tracking.Conclusion
In summary, Losant’s integration capabilities are extensive, supporting multiple protocols and methods to ensure seamless connectivity and data processing across a variety of devices and platforms. Losant - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options for the Losant Enterprise IoT Platform
When seeking customer support and additional resources for the Losant Enterprise IoT Platform, several options are available to ensure you get the help you need efficiently.
Contact Form and Direct Support
If you have questions, need to get started with the Losant Application Enablement Platform, or have an innovative idea you’d like to discuss, you can fill out the contact form on the Losant website. This form allows you to reach out to the Losant team directly, and someone will be in touch with you.
Losant Forums
For platform-specific support, the Losant Forums are a valuable resource. Here, you can find answers to common questions, share knowledge with other users, and get support from the community and Losant experts.
Documentation and Guides
Losant provides comprehensive documentation that includes detailed guides on various aspects of the platform. For example, the documentation covers topics such as Resource Jobs, which help manage batch processes and asynchronous tasks, and Application Logs, which are useful for debugging and monitoring your application in real-time.
Application Logs
The Application Log is a real-time tool that displays information about different events within your Losant application, such as MQTT messages, device state and commands, webhook triggers, and endpoint requests. This log is particularly useful for debugging purposes.
Community and Knowledge Base
While the specific resources provided do not include AI-driven customer support like some other platforms, the combination of the forums, detailed documentation, and direct contact options ensure that you have multiple avenues to get the support you need.
Summary
In summary, Losant offers a range of support options, from direct contact through a form, community support via the forums, and extensive documentation to help you manage and troubleshoot your IoT applications effectively.
Losant - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Losant
Losant’s Enterprise IoT Platform offers several significant advantages, particularly in the context of networking tools and AI-driven products.Performance and Efficiency
Losant’s native nodes outperform equivalent requests made through the Losant API Node, significantly reducing processing time. For example, using the native Device: Get Node can be more than 10 times faster than using the Losant API Node for the same task.Scalability
The platform is capable of handling millions of data points per second, ensuring it can scale seamlessly with growing business needs. This scalability allows enterprises to effectively manage and automate large numbers of devices.Ease of Use and Setup
Losant provides a low-code workflow engine that makes it easy to collect, centralize, and integrate data from connected devices and systems. Users without a programming background can set up and use the platform effectively.Comprehensive Features
The platform includes tools for device connectivity, fleet management, data storage, and visualization. It also offers a powerful real-time workflow engine, making it a comprehensive suite for IoT solution development.Integration and Customization
Losant allows for seamless integration with various systems such as PLCs, CRMs, Azure, and AWS. It also supports custom branding, multi-tenancy, and automatic provisioning, making it highly adaptable to different business needs.Real-Time Data and Automation
The platform enables real-time data collection and automation, which is crucial for industrial asset management, maintenance scheduling, and other IoT applications. It helps in creating custom end-user experiences and provides features like digital twin capabilities.Disadvantages of Losant
While Losant offers many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider.Performance Issues with API Nodes
Using the Losant API Node can introduce additional time costs compared to native nodes, which can impact performance in certain workflows.Refresh Rate and Inactivity Issues
Some users have reported issues with the platform’s refresh rate, particularly after periods of inactivity, which may require logging out and back in to get correct results.UI/UX Improvements Needed
Users have suggested that some minor improvements could be made from a UI/UX perspective to make the platform more user-friendly and easier to access.Platform Updates
While the platform is regularly updated, some users find the update process to be tedious and time-consuming, especially when adding new dashboards or resources. Overall, Losant’s Enterprise IoT Platform is highly beneficial for managing and automating IoT solutions, but it does come with some minor drawbacks that users should be aware of. Losant - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Losant
- Seamless Integration: Losant integrates edge features directly into its IoT platform, allowing for smooth connectivity and management of both connected and non-connected devices. This includes support for a wide range of industrial controllers, off-the-shelf sensors, and custom devices through its scalable MQTT broker, webhooks, and various integrations.
- Low-Code Edge Computing: Losant’s Edge Compute functionality simplifies the development of edge logic with a drag-and-drop editor, supporting both gateways and embedded devices. This feature reduces the time to market for edge computing requirements and includes built-in industrial connectors like Modbus, OPC UA, BACnet, and SNMP.
- Multi-Tenancy and Custom Branding: Losant offers built-in multi-tenancy, user authentication, and complete control over product branding and user experience. This is particularly useful for delivering white-labeled IoT products or services to customers.
- Data Collection and Visualization: Losant provides powerful data collection, aggregation, and visualization features, enabling enterprise teams to gain new data insights. It also supports the execution of Jupyter notebooks for batch analytics and drag-and-drop dashboards with various built-in widgets.
Potential Alternatives
SAP Business Technology Platform
- This platform is highlighted as a top alternative to Losant, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for IoT and enterprise applications. It provides strong integration capabilities and a wide range of analytics and development tools.
Particle
- Particle offers a suite of hardware and software tools for prototyping, scaling, and managing IoT products. It is particularly useful for companies that need a holistic approach to IoT development, from hardware to software management.
emnify
- emnify is an IoT connectivity platform that provides global SIM cards and a single platform to manage SIM cards and connectivity. It is ideal for companies with global IoT deployments, offering full control over SIMs and customizable premium features.
Golioth and Telnyx IoT
- Golioth and Telnyx IoT are other alternatives that offer IoT development tools and device management platforms. Golioth focuses on cloud-native IoT development, while Telnyx IoT provides a range of services for IoT connectivity and device management.
AI-Driven Networking Tools Comparison
While Losant is primarily an IoT platform, it can be compared to AI-driven networking tools in terms of its ability to manage and monitor connected devices.
LogicMonitor
- LogicMonitor uses AI for anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and intelligent troubleshooting. It is more focused on real-time network monitoring and incident resolution, which is different from Losant’s broader IoT management capabilities.
Auvik
- Auvik integrates AI for network mapping, device discovery, configuration backups, and anomaly detection. Like LogicMonitor, it is more specialized in network monitoring and management rather than the comprehensive IoT platform features offered by Losant.
NinjaOne
- NinjaOne also uses AI for automated anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and routine task automation. It is similar to Auvik in its focus on network monitoring but lacks the extensive IoT device management features of Losant.
In summary, Losant stands out with its comprehensive IoT platform features, low-code edge computing, and multi-tenancy capabilities. While alternatives like SAP Business Technology Platform, Particle, and emnify offer strong competition in specific areas, they cater to different aspects of IoT and networking needs. AI-driven networking tools like LogicMonitor, Auvik, and NinjaOne are more specialized in network monitoring and do not match the breadth of Losant’s IoT management capabilities.
Losant - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Losant Enterprise IoT Platform?
The Losant Enterprise IoT Platform is an application enablement platform that allows you to build applications that securely scale to millions of devices. It features powerful data collection, aggregation, and visualization tools, enabling you to create dynamic experiences and perform complex analytics.
What are the major components of the Losant Enterprise IoT Platform?
The platform consists of five major components:
- End-User Experiences: Allows you to build fully functional web interfaces for interacting with connected devices, including custom, branded user interfaces and APIs.
- Visual Workflow Engine: A drag-and-drop workflow editor for implementing business logic and enabling interactions between devices and third-party systems.
- Data Visualization: Customizable dashboarding to visualize complex aggregations across one or more devices.
- Devices and Data Sources: Enables device connectivity using industry standards like MQTT and REST APIs, with SDKs available for various programming languages.
- Edge Compute: Allows deploying workflows to connected devices for local execution, even without internet connectivity.
How does Losant Edge Compute work?
Losant Edge Compute allows you to build visual, low-code edge workflows in the cloud and deploy them to remote gateways. Key features include:
- Remote deployment and live debugging of edge logic.
- Management of edge compute at scale with real-time status updates.
- Support for industrial protocols like MQTT, OPC-UA, and Modbus.
- Secure deployments using MQTTS.
- Store and forward functionality to prevent data loss during internet disruptions.
What kind of security does Losant offer?
Losant emphasizes security, particularly with its Edge Compute feature. It uses MQTTS (MQTT over a TLS-encrypted connection) to ensure secure outbound connections from devices to the Losant Platform. This ensures secure deployments across various environments.
How does Losant handle device management and data ingestion?
Losant’s Devices and Data Sources component allows you to describe, model, and manage your device’s unique characteristics. It supports a wide range of industrial controllers and sensors, and you can ingest data using Losant’s scalable MQTT broker, webhooks, and many integrations. Real-time bi-directional device command and control are also supported.
What kind of user experience can I create with Losant?
Losant’s End-User Experiences allow you to build custom, branded web interfaces with multi-tenancy, user authentication, and full control over UI/UX. You can create uniquely branded domains, applications, or reports, and use out-of-the-box UI templates to reduce development time.
How much does Losant cost?
Losant’s pricing starts at $100 per month, though the exact cost can vary based on device and data quantity. The base plan includes features like multi-user/tenant experiences, user-specific dashboards, and access control. Business licenses start at $30,000 per year, and the exact price may require negotiation depending on your specific needs.
Does Losant support integration with other systems and protocols?
Yes, Losant supports integration with various systems and protocols. The Visual Workflow Engine allows interactions with third-party systems, and Edge Compute supports industrial protocols like MQTT, OPC-UA, BACnet, Modbus, and more. It also performs protocol conversion and data normalization.
Can I use Losant for small-scale IoT projects?
While Losant is powerful and scalable, it can be used for smaller projects as well. However, the cost might be a consideration for very small projects, as the base plan starts at $100 per month. For fewer than 50 devices, you might need to evaluate the cost-effectiveness compared to other IoT platforms.
How does Losant facilitate data visualization and analytics?
Losant includes customizable dashboarding to visualize complex aggregations across one or more devices. You can use a drag-and-drop interface to customize the scope and detail of the information displayed. Additionally, Losant Notebooks, based on Jupyter Notebooks, allow for advanced batch analytics using device state data and third-party sources.
Losant - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Losant in the Networking Tools AI-driven Product Category
Losant’s Enterprise IoT Platform is a comprehensive and user-friendly solution that stands out in the networking tools and AI-driven product category. Here’s a detailed look at its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.Key Features and Benefits
Edge Compute
Losant’s Edge Compute allows users to build and deploy edge workflows using a low-code, visual interface. This feature enables remote deployment and troubleshooting of edge logic, ensuring real-time visibility and the ability to manage edge compute at scale.
Industrial Protocols and Data Management
The platform supports a variety of industrial protocols such as MQTT, OPC-UA, BACnet, and Modbus, facilitating data capture, protocol conversion, and efficient data orchestration. It also ensures data integrity by storing and forwarding data during internet connectivity disruptions.
Security
Losant prioritizes security with features like MQTTS (MQTT over a TLS-encrypted connection), ensuring secure outbound connections from devices to the platform. This is crucial for deployments across various environments, including manufacturing floors and connected products.
Scalability and Flexibility
The platform is built to scale from a few devices to millions, with a cloud-native architecture that supports both real-time stream processing and batch analytics. It offers flexibility in building, experimenting, and scaling applications without requiring significant architectural changes.
End-User Experiences
Losant allows for the creation of multi-tenant applications, custom branding, and user authentication. This makes it ideal for delivering white-labeled IoT products and services with a high degree of control over branding and user experience.
Who Would Benefit Most
Enterprises and Large Organizations
Companies looking to build and manage large-scale IoT deployments will find Losant particularly useful. Its scalability, multi-tenancy, and secure data management features make it an excellent choice for enterprises aiming to integrate millions of devices.
IoT Innovators and Developers
Developers and innovators who need a low-code environment to quickly build and deploy IoT solutions will appreciate Losant’s visual workflow engine and drag-and-drop interface. This reduces the time and complexity associated with developing IoT applications.
Manufacturing and Industrial Sector
Businesses in the manufacturing and industrial sectors can benefit from Losant’s support for various industrial protocols and its ability to manage complex device interactions. This helps in optimizing operations, improving efficiency, and reducing costs.
Overall Recommendation
Losant’s Enterprise IoT Platform is highly recommended for anyone seeking a user-friendly, scalable, and secure solution for IoT deployments. Its low-code environment, extensive support for industrial protocols, and strong focus on security and scalability make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. Whether you are an enterprise looking to manage millions of devices or an innovator aiming to quickly bring IoT solutions to market, Losant provides the necessary tools and infrastructure to succeed. Its comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and support further enhance the user experience, making it easier to build, deploy, and manage IoT solutions effectively.