Xively by LogMeIn - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Xively by LogMeIn - Product Overview
Xively Overview
Xively, originally developed by LogMeIn and later acquired by Google in 2018, is a comprehensive cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
Xively is an enterprise IoT platform that simplifies the process of building and running connected businesses. It focuses on connecting devices, managing data from these connections, and enabling closer engagement with customers. The platform acts as a middleware solution, bridging the gap between hardware devices and applications, allowing for real-time data exchange and insight generation.Target Audience
Xively is primarily aimed at enterprises and developers who are involved in creating and managing IoT solutions. This includes businesses in various sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and smart home devices. The platform is particularly valuable for companies that need to manage a large number of connected devices and analyze the data generated from these devices.Key Features
Device Management
Xively allows users to register, monitor, and control devices remotely. This includes provisioning and management of devices, device configuration, and firmware updates.Data Analytics
The platform provides tools for visualizing and analyzing data streams in real-time, helping businesses identify trends, optimize operations, and make data-driven decisions.Security
Xively incorporates robust security measures, including data encryption, secure APIs, and user authentication protocols to protect data transmitted between devices and the cloud.Scalability and Performance
The platform demonstrates high performance capabilities, such as sustaining 1,000 connections per second and 1,000,000 messages per second with low latency (less than 25 ms) and high uptime (99.9% availability).Integration
Xively supports various integration options, allowing businesses to connect their IoT solutions with existing enterprise systems, such as Salesforce, facilitating a smoother transition into IoT capabilities.Development Tools
The platform offers rapid prototyping features, numerous SDKs, and a C client library for devices, simplifying the development of connected product systems and enabling developers to build web apps and systems that interact with mobile devices. Overall, Xively provides a comprehensive suite of tools for managing, monitoring, and analyzing connected devices, making it a valuable resource for businesses looking to leverage IoT technologies. Xively by LogMeIn - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The user interface of Xively is built to be intuitive and user-friendly, even for those without extensive technical expertise. Here are some key features:
- Xively Device Agent: This component works with various chipsets and edge computing solutions, making it easy to integrate with different hardware configurations.
- Xively Time Series and Data Flow: These tools are designed for data ingestion and integration, using a Node-RED rule engine, which provides a visual interface for creating data flows and rules.
- Xively Blueprint: This includes an object directory, libraries, and a data model, which helps in organizing and managing connected devices and their data in a structured manner.
- Identity Manager: The Xively Identity Manager allows businesses to manage user identities, map them to devices, and control access securely. It also supports white-label identity solutions, enabling businesses to brand their own identity management.
Ease of Use
Xively is designed to be accessible and easy to use:
- The platform leverages LogMeIn’s cloud platform, Gravity, which handles a large number of devices and users, indicating a scalable and reliable infrastructure.
- The use of visual tools like Node-RED for data flows and the Xively Blueprint for data modeling makes it easier for users to manage and integrate data without needing to write extensive code.
- The Identity Manager’s ability to manage the full lifecycle of user identities, from creation to decommissioning, streamlines the process of user management.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience is focused on simplicity and efficiency:
- Xively integrates with various third-party services such as Amazon Kinesis, Twilio, and Zapier, which enhances its functionality and makes it easier to use within existing workflows.
- The platform’s security features, including the Xively Identity Manager and the Xively MQTT broker, ensure secure authentication and access control, which is crucial for IoT applications.
- The ability to scale access and manage a large number of devices and users ensures that the platform can grow with the needs of the business, providing a seamless experience even as the number of connected devices increases.
In summary, Xively by LogMeIn offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to use, even for those without deep technical knowledge. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for managing connected devices, integrating data, and securing user identities, all of which contribute to a positive and efficient user experience.
Xively by LogMeIn - Key Features and Functionality
Xively by LogMeIn
Xively by LogMeIn is an enterprise IoT platform that offers a range of features and functionalities to manage and integrate connected devices and data. Here are the main features and how they work:
Device Management
Xively allows businesses to manage the full lifecycle of connected devices, including creation, onboarding, and decommissioning. This involves setting up devices as “Xively devices,” which act as envelopes containing the data from these devices. Each device can have multiple channels, which are the streams of data coming from various sensors.
Identity and Access Management
The Xively Identity Manager, part of the LogMeIn suite, enables businesses to manage user identities and access control for connected devices. This feature allows for the creation of white-label identities, mapping identities to devices, and managing access for multiple users, including primary and secondary users. It also ensures secure authentication with sub-second latency.
Data Streaming and Monitoring
Xively facilitates the streaming of data from sensors and devices to the platform. Users can define channels for each sensor, and the data is sent to Xively, where it can be monitored through dashboards. This setup enables real-time monitoring of parameters from the connected devices.
Security and Authentication
Xively works in tandem with other LogMeIn solutions to ensure secure authentication and access control. The platform integrates with Xively Blueprint for enhanced security measures, ensuring that data and device access are securely managed.
Scalability and Performance
Xively is built on LogMeIn’s cloud platform, Gravity, which handles over 255 million devices, users, and customers across 7 datacenters worldwide. This infrastructure ensures scalable access and secure authentication with minimal latency.
Future Integrations: Edge Computing, 5G, and AI
While current resources do not detail the active integration of AI into Xively’s existing features, it is anticipated that future enhancements will include edge computing, 5G connectivity, and artificial intelligence. These technologies are expected to improve data processing speed, reduce latency, and enable advanced predictive analytics and automated decision-making.
User Profile and Usage Data
Xively allows businesses to build rich profile graphs of users, mapping usage information and device data to specific customers and users. This helps in delivering better service and fostering deeper customer relationships.
Conclusion
In summary, Xively by LogMeIn is a comprehensive IoT platform that simplifies the interconnection of devices and data, provides secure and scalable management of connected devices, and offers tools for monitoring and analyzing device data. While AI integration is not currently detailed in the available resources, it is expected to be a part of future enhancements.
Xively by LogMeIn - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the Performance and Accuracy of Xively by LogMeIn
In the IoT and networking tools category, evaluating the performance and accuracy of Xively by LogMeIn reveals several key strengths and some areas for improvement.
Performance
Xively demonstrates strong performance in several areas:
Quick Time to Market
Xively’s out-of-the-box solutions enable companies like Heatworks to quickly design, launch, and market their IoT-connected products without the need for extensive in-house development. This accelerates the time to market, reducing both risk and the resources required.
Reliable Connectivity
The integration with technologies like Linear Technology’s SmartMesh IP wireless sensor networks ensures high data reliability (over 99.999%) and long battery life (over 10 years), making it suitable for challenging environments.
User Control and Monitoring
Xively powers remote control and monitoring capabilities, allowing users to adjust settings and monitor device health in real-time. This is evident in Heatworks’ water heaters, where users can control temperature and performance on-the-go.
Accuracy
Xively’s platform is built with a focus on accuracy:
Data Structure and Management
Xively structures data to make it actionable, ensuring that the information is honest, complete, and coherent. This is crucial for applications where precise data is necessary, such as monitoring water quality and temperature.
Device Management
The platform provides accurate and real-time data on device performance, allowing for remote diagnostics and software updates. This helps in maintaining the health and performance of connected devices without the need for physical visits.
User Interface
The user interface is designed to be logical, aesthetically consistent, and unobtrusive, ensuring that all features are accessible and easy to use across different screen sizes.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Xively has several strengths, there are some areas that could be improved:
User Transition and Feedback
During the redesign of Xively, there were challenges in transitioning legacy users to the new interface, and feedback was often overshadowed by negative reactions to the pricing strategy change. This indicates a need for smoother transition processes and more responsive customer feedback mechanisms.
Pricing Strategy
The shift to a paid service model received negative feedback from users, suggesting that pricing strategies need to be carefully considered to align with user expectations and business goals.
Customization and Flexibility
While Xively offers out-of-the-box solutions, some users might require more customization options. Balancing the need for ease of use with the flexibility to meet specific user needs could be an area for further development.
In summary, Xively by LogMeIn performs well in terms of speed to market, reliable connectivity, and data accuracy. However, it faces challenges in user transition and pricing strategies, and may benefit from offering more customization options to meet diverse user needs.
Xively by LogMeIn - Pricing and Plans
Xively Identity Manager
The Xively Identity Manager, which is part of LogMeIn’s IoT solutions, is focused on identity and access management for connected devices. However, the pricing details for this specific product are not provided in the sources I have accessed.
General LogMeIn Pricing
While the pricing for other LogMeIn products like LogMeIn Resolve and LogMeIn Central is well-documented, there is no explicit pricing information available for Xively.
LogMeIn Resolve
For example, LogMeIn Resolve offers various plans, including a free tier for up to 5 devices, and paid plans starting at $0/month with different features such as remote access, monitoring, and management.
LogMeIn Central
LogMeIn Central also has customizable plans with base features and additional add-ons, but again, this does not pertain to Xively.
Conclusion
Given the lack of specific information on Xively’s pricing structure, it is best to contact LogMeIn directly or check their official website for any updates or detailed pricing information related to Xively.
Xively by LogMeIn - Integration and Compatibility
Xively: Overview
Xively, a cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform from LogMeIn, is designed to integrate seamlessly with a variety of tools and platforms, ensuring broad compatibility and versatility.
Integration with Third-Party Applications
Xively supports extensive integration with third-party applications, which is a key aspect of its functionality. For instance, it has deep integration with Salesforce, allowing businesses to automate processes such as real-time device monitoring and customer service through Salesforce Service Cloud. This integration enables developers to see connected device information and status directly within their Salesforce application, enhancing business automation and productivity.
API Integration
Xively provides a comprehensive set of APIs that support various programming languages and frameworks. These APIs facilitate the integration of IoT functionalities into different applications, making it easier for businesses to build and scale their IoT solutions. This API-driven approach ensures that developers can seamlessly connect their IoT devices and applications to the Xively platform.
Device Management and Prototyping
Xively works closely with ARM mbed, a platform for building connected devices using ARM-based microcontrollers. The Xively Jumpstart Kit, which includes mbed hardware and software, allows developers to quickly prototype and develop IoT solutions. This kit includes all necessary libraries for Internet connection, sensor drivers, and LCD displays, as well as the Xively API library to connect devices to the cloud. This collaboration enables rapid development and migration from prototype to production.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Xively’s platform is built to be highly scalable and compatible with a wide range of devices and systems. It supports the management of a large number of devices, handling high transaction rates and low latencies. The platform’s infrastructure can sustain 1,000,000 messages per second with an average latency of less than 25 ms, ensuring real-time operation and high availability (99.9% uptime).
Identity Management
The Xively Identity Manager is another component that enhances compatibility by managing user identities across different devices and applications. It allows businesses to quickly onboard and manage new end users of IoT devices, ensuring secure access control and authentication. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple users need access to the same connected device, such as in smart home environments.
Edge Computing and 5G Connectivity
While the current capabilities of Xively are extensive, the platform is expected to incorporate emerging technologies like edge computing and 5G connectivity. These integrations will further enhance the platform’s performance, enabling faster data processing, reduced latency, and improved real-time decision-making.
Conclusion
In summary, Xively’s integration capabilities and compatibility across various platforms and devices make it a versatile and powerful tool for IoT solution development. Its ability to integrate with third-party applications, support rapid prototyping, and manage device identities ensures that it can meet the diverse needs of businesses in the IoT space.
Xively by LogMeIn - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support and Additional Resources
Xively by LogMeIn offers several key features and tools to help users effectively manage and support their IoT solutions.Integration with LogMeIn Rescue
Xively benefits from LogMeIn’s broader suite of products, including LogMeIn Rescue. This remote support software allows customer service agents to provide remote assistance for connected products. With features like Rescue Lens, agents can use a secure, live camera feed from a customer’s mobile device to guide users through product setup, troubleshooting, and problem resolution. This capability significantly enhances customer support by allowing agents to see the issue firsthand and provide more accurate and efficient solutions.Extensive Development Resources
Xively provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources for developers. This includes messaging and data logging services, a C client library for devices, and numerous SDKs that enable developers to build web apps and systems that interact with mobile devices. These resources simplify the development of connected product systems, allowing developers to focus on creating value for the business rather than investing time in custom engineering efforts.Scalable and Reliable Infrastructure
Xively’s platform is built on LogMeIn’s cloud platform, Gravity, which ensures high throughput, low latencies, and flexible scalability. This infrastructure has been tested to sustain 1,000 connections per second and 1,000,000 messages per second, with an average latency of less than 25 ms. This reliability, combined with greater than 99.9% uptime, ensures that connected products are highly available and can operate in real-time.Data Management and Analytics
Xively offers strong data management and analytics capabilities. The platform allows users to collect data from various sources, process it in the cloud, and provide insights that can be utilized across different sectors. This includes tools to visualize and analyze data streams in real-time, helping businesses identify trends, optimize operations, and make data-driven decisions.Security and Integration
Xively emphasizes data security with features such as data encryption, secure APIs, and user authentication protocols. The platform also supports various integration options, allowing businesses to connect their IoT solutions with existing enterprise systems, including extensive integration with Salesforce and other third-party applications. This flexibility ensures that companies can leverage their current technology stack while incorporating new IoT capabilities.Rapid Prototyping and Development Environment
Xively’s development environment provides rapid prototyping features, enabling developers to model their connected products and develop applications without physical devices. This accelerates the time to market and simplifies product development, allowing developers to focus on creating the best product fit without significant additional effort. By combining these features, Xively by LogMeIn offers a comprehensive support and resource ecosystem that helps businesses develop, manage, and support their IoT solutions efficiently and effectively. Xively by LogMeIn - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Xively by LogMeIn
Xively, a division of LogMeIn, offers several significant advantages for companies looking to build, launch, and manage their connected products and services in the IoT space.
End-to-End IoT Solution
Xively provides a comprehensive IoT solution that includes device management, application support, service integration, and data analytics. This holistic approach helps companies manage their IoT projects from start to finish.
Device Management
Xively offers robust device management capabilities, including provisioning, configuration, monitoring, administration, firmware and software updates, and connected product fleet management. These features are delivered through a single solution, making it easier to manage devices in the field.
Security and Data Control
The platform emphasizes secure device and data management through device authentication and authorization. This ensures that the data generated by connected devices is protected from corruption or hacking.
Ease of Integration
Xively provides prepackaged solutions that include everything needed to connect a device to the Internet, saving companies time and resources. About 80% of the time, these prepackaged solutions meet all the necessary requirements without the need for extensive customization.
Customer Experience and Support
Xively brings a wealth of experience from working with various customers, including Lutron, ShadeCraft Robotics, and Heatworks. The platform also includes a Professional Services group that provides insight and support throughout the IoT project lifecycle.
Data Analytics and Business Integration
Xively helps companies structure and make their connected product data actionable, enabling them to define new features, manage users proactively, and integrate data with existing business systems.
Disadvantages of Xively by LogMeIn
While Xively offers many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.
Customization Limitations
Some users may find that the prepackaged solutions lack customization options in terms of sensors and form factors. This can be a limitation for products that require specific or unique configurations.
Connectivity Restrictions
There may be limited choices in connectivity options, and some solutions might require connectivity through another device, which can be restrictive in certain scenarios.
Engineering Requirements
Integrating Xively’s solutions can require significant engineering work, especially for product-specific hardware boards that need design and manufacturing.
Dependency on Third-Party Solutions
Companies may have to rely on third-party partners for certain aspects of their IoT solutions, which can add complexity and dependency on external providers.
By weighing these advantages and disadvantages, companies can make an informed decision about whether Xively is the right fit for their IoT needs.
Xively by LogMeIn - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Xively by LogMeIn with Other AI-Driven Networking Tools
Several key aspects and alternatives come into focus.
Unique Features of Xively
Xively, a cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform, stands out for its comprehensive suite of tools for managing, monitoring, and analyzing connected devices. Here are some of its unique features:
- Identity Management: Xively Identity Manager allows businesses to quickly rollout identity solutions, create white-label identities, and manage the full lifecycle of user identities for connected devices. This is particularly useful for IoT devices that may have multiple users, such as smart home devices.
- Scalable Access and Security: Xively provides scalable access with secure authentication at sub-second latency and emphasizes data security with built-in security features to protect sensitive information.
- Data Processing and Insights: The platform collects data from various sources, processes it in the cloud, and provides insights that can be utilized across different sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and smart home devices.
Competitors and Alternatives
Juniper Networks AI-Native Networking Platform
Juniper’s platform unifies campus, branch, and data center networking operations via a common AI engine. It offers benefits such as up to 90% fewer networking trouble tickets, up to an 85% reduction in networking OpEx, and up to 50% less time needed for incident resolution. This platform is more focused on general network management rather than IoT-specific identity and access management.
Arista Etherlink AI Platforms
Arista’s platforms are designed for optimal network performance for demanding AI workloads. While they provide network monitoring and predictive analytics, they are more geared towards high-performance computing and AI workloads rather than IoT device management.
Cisco DNA Center
Cisco DNA Center uses AI to automate network operations, provide insights into network performance and security, and simplify policy management. This tool is more focused on general network management and does not have the specific IoT identity and access management features that Xively offers.
Nile AI Services Platform
Nile’s platform automates network design, configuration, and management with AI applications. It includes integrated security and cloud-native service delivery but is more focused on campus and branch IT infrastructures rather than IoT device management.
Key Differences
- IoT Focus: Xively is specifically tailored for IoT device management, including identity management and access control, which sets it apart from more general network management tools like Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform and Cisco DNA Center.
- Scalability and Security: While all these platforms emphasize security and scalability, Xively’s focus on IoT devices and its ability to handle multiple users and identities make it a unique solution in the IoT space.
- Use Cases: Xively is particularly useful for scenarios where multiple users need access to connected devices, such as smart home environments or industrial settings. Other platforms may be more suitable for general network management or high-performance computing.
In summary, Xively by LogMeIn is a specialized tool for IoT device management with a strong focus on identity and access management, making it a valuable choice for businesses dealing with multiple users and connected devices. However, for broader network management needs, alternatives like Juniper Networks, Arista, and Cisco DNA Center may be more appropriate.
Xively by LogMeIn - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Xively by LogMeIn
What is Xively by LogMeIn?
Xively is an enterprise IoT platform and application solution that simplifies the process of building and running a connected business. It helps in interconnecting devices and data with applications on the Internet of Things, making it easier for developers to create, prototype, build, pilot, and deploy Internet-connected products.What is the technological foundation of Xively?
Xively is built on LogMeIn’s cloud platform called Gravity, which handles over 255 million devices, users, and customers across 7 datacenters worldwide. This foundation ensures reliable and scalable support for IoT applications.What features does Xively offer for IoT device management?
Xively enables companies to securely connect their products, manage data from these connections, and engage more closely with their customers. It provides APIs for interacting with real-world objects and real-time messaging, which are crucial for managing and monitoring IoT devices.How does Xively handle user identity and access management for IoT devices?
Xively offers the Identity Manager solution, which allows businesses to quickly rollout an identity solution, create white-label identities, map identities to devices for access control, and manage the full lifecycle of user creation, onboarding, and decommissioning. This ensures secure authentication and access management for multiple users of the same device.What kind of development support does Xively provide?
Xively provides development kits, such as the Xively Jumpstart Kit, which includes a Cortex-M3 processor, USB connector, Ethernet port, flash storage, and an application board. This kit helps developers get started with building IoT applications on the Xively platform.Can Xively be integrated with other LogMeIn products and services?
Yes, Xively can be integrated with other LogMeIn products. For example, the security and authentication features of Xively can work in tandem with other LogMeIn solutions, enhancing overall security and management capabilities.How scalable is Xively for large-scale IoT deployments?
Xively is highly scalable, capable of handling a large number of devices and users. It is built on a cloud platform that manages over 255 million devices and users, ensuring it can support large-scale IoT deployments.What kind of support does Xively offer for different types of users?
Xively supports various types of users, including homeowners, service technicians, and other stakeholders who may need access to connected devices. It allows for the creation and management of multiple user identities and access levels, ensuring that the right people have the right access to device data and functions.Are there any specific use cases or examples of Xively in action?
Yes, Xively has been used in various innovative products. For example, “The Goodnight Lamp” is a set of house-shaped lamps that can be given to loved ones living away, allowing them to know when the other is around and safe by remotely turning the lamps on and off.How does Xively ensure security for IoT devices and data?
Xively ensures security through features like access control, secure authentication at sub-second latency, and the ability to map identities to devices. It also integrates with other security solutions to provide a comprehensive security framework for IoT applications.Is Xively suitable for both small and large organizations?
Yes, Xively is suitable for both small and large organizations. Its scalable nature and flexible deployment options make it a viable solution for businesses of all sizes looking to build and manage connected products and services.