The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we interact with devices and gather data. Among the tools that have emerged from this digital transformation, IoT dashboards stand out as invaluable assets.

In this article, we will explore the concept of IoT dashboards, delve into their benefits, examine real-life examples, and highlight the essential features that make them indispensable in the IoT landscape.

What is IoT Dashboard?

An IoT dashboard serves as a data visualization instrument that restructures and presents a set of data obtained and transmitted by network-connected devices. Its main objective is to furnish easily understandable information, enabling the remote monitoring of historical and real-time IoT data in a concise manner.

Advantages of IoT Dashboard

Data Aggregation from Multiple Devices

One notable benefit is the ability to gather real-time data from various connected devices. Through the utilization of IoT dashboards, users and operators can promptly review and analyze incoming information, ensuring that updates are made as soon as new data is received.

Remote Monitoring of IoT Processes

In the context of industrial IoT applications, this entails managing specific assets, accessing and overseeing production processes, and monitoring the condition of machinery, among other functions. Consequently, these features aid in minimizing downtime, reducing operational costs, and mitigating product failure rates. In the healthcare sector, IoT enables doctors to remotely intervene in patient treatment schedules, prescribe medications, monitor medication intake, and track changes in health conditions without requiring in-person meetings.

Simplified and Advanced Data Analysis of IoT Information

Converting vast amounts of collected data into meaningful and valuable insights is crucial. Even basic equipment condition information, such as minimum, maximum, or average readings, holds significance for various industries. Advanced levels of IoT analytics dashboards facilitate the identification of statistical trends, enabling the use of data for predictive failure analysis and extracting precise information and correlations from datasets.

Enhanced Customer Value through Gathered Information

By providing customers with specific dashboard data, you can enhance the value of your software, create personalized offers, and revolutionize customer interactions. Additionally, this feature aids in guiding the product development process by gaining insights into how customers utilize IoT devices.

Examples of IoT Dashboard

Let’s take a look at some IoT Dashboard examples that have been adopted in some companies, hope these templates can give you some inspiration.

Note: All the IoT Dashboard templates shown in this article are created by FineReport, a powerful dashboard software that has been honorably mentioned by Gartner Magic Quadrant for ABI Platforms. You can download FineReport for free and have a try!

Visualizing Equipment Operation Status

By visualizing sensor data, the manufacturing and facility management department can instantly grasp the operational status of the entire plant, as well as the equipment on each production line and any faulty equipment. Early detection of equipment abnormalities can be achieved by setting threshold alarms.

Monitoring Power Consumption

In buildings like factories and warehouses, the dashboard provides power consumption results, allowing for the identification of power failures and the implementation of appropriate and effective energy-saving measures. When consumption approaches the preset value, a warning message is generated.

Visualizing Predictive Management

The factory production department monitors the actual production results of each production line, comparing them to the original plan and thoroughly analyzing the reasons for any discrepancies. This information is then used to improve various aspects of subsequent production stages.

Analysis of Parking Lot Utilization

By visualizing parking operator data, such as the number of parked vehicles and available spaces, real-time analysis of parking management information is possible.

Must-have IoT Dashboards Features

Choosing between a pre-built platform and building an IoT dashboard from scratch depends on input, business requirements, and technical considerations. Opting for a ready-made platform requires careful selection to avoid unnecessary costs while developing a custom control panel necessitates a highly skilled team and significant investment.

Now, let’s delve into several crucial features of IoT dashboards, which should be considered in any scenario.

Data Collection

The components required for your specific case may vary depending on your goals and the data to be visualized. Generally, the primary objective of any IoT device in a connected environment is data collection. For industrial applications, this may include monitoring telemetry data such as temperature, pressure, acceleration, motion, proximity, humidity, and more. Additional modules and features, like an alert system to notify users of sensor readings or data exceeding thresholds, might also be necessary.

I highly recommend using professional dashboard software like FineReport to make an IoT dashboard.

If you are worrying about the problem of data integration of your KPI report, you can try FineReport, FineReport has a powerful data integration functionality, supporting over 30 different database tables and SQL data sources. It also supports various file data sets such as Excel and txt files, as well as multidimensional databases and procedural data sets. It is suitable for data analysis scenarios with high real-time requirements.

FineReport can also be integrated with other business systems like ERP or CRM, which store the production data, and automatically extract and update the relevant information in real-time on the report.

Data Visualization

Once the required data is collected and stored in a database, the next step is to present it in a user-friendly format. When converting collected data into effective visualizations, the format of display becomes crucial. Various common visual representations, such as geographical maps, statistical lists, line and pie charts, line graphs, histograms, gauges, and heat maps, can be utilized. This component serves as the core element of any IoT dashboard, greatly influencing its performance. To determine the most suitable method for your objectives, conduct tests with users and allocate valuable time to design the format. Consider color schemes and size attributes of visual representations to ensure easy comprehension and navigation within the complex IoT dashboard.

FineReport supports more than 50 chart styles, covering basically all basic and high-level charts on the market, and also has excellent dynamic effects and a powerful interactive experience. Various features can be set according to the needs during use, and can also be self-adjusted and displayed on the mobile terminal and large LED screen.

Real-Time Data Processing

In industries like transportation and healthcare, real-time data transmission and reception are essential. Dynamic data visualizations pose a greater challenge compared to static visualizations. Achieving this goal requires a stable connection, dynamic database management, expert knowledge, and substantial resources. As most IoT applications generate a significant volume of data, real-time data processing should be well-integrated with other components.

For example, in FineReport, with Real Time Reporting, users can connect to various data sources such as databases, APIs, and streaming platforms to retrieve live data. The feature supports a wide range of data formats and provides seamless integration with different systems.

Once the data is connected, FineReport’s Real Time Reporting feature enables users to create dynamic and interactive reports. Users can design customized dashboards, charts, tables, and graphs to visualize their data. These reports update automatically as the underlying data changes, ensuring that users always have the most up-to-date information at their fingertips.

Real Time Reporting also offers advanced data analysis capabilities. Users can apply filters, perform calculations, and apply business rules to manipulate the data and extract valuable insights. The feature supports drill-down functionality, allowing users to explore the underlying details and analyze data at different levels of granularity.

By considering these essential features, you can develop a comprehensive IoT dashboard tailored to your specific needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, IoT dashboards have emerged as indispensable tools in the world of IoT, enabling businesses to harness the power of data and enhance operational efficiency. By providing real-time data visualization, remote monitoring capabilities, and actionable insights, IoT dashboards empower users to make informed decisions and optimize processes. As technology continues to advance, the importance of adopting a robust IoT dashboard solution becomes increasingly evident.

In light of the benefits offered by IoT dashboards, we highly recommend considering FineReport as a top choice. FineReport is a leading data visualization and reporting platform that seamlessly integrates with IoT infrastructure. Its customizable dashboards, advanced analytics capabilities, and user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for businesses looking to unlock the full potential of their IoT data. With FineReport, you can transform raw data into meaningful insights, drive operational excellence, and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving IoT landscape.

Embrace the power of IoT dashboards and leverage the capabilities of FineReport to fuel your organization’s growth, improve decision-making, and achieve a more connected and efficient future.

Feel free to make an appointment for a live demo with our product experts. We will be more clear about your needs and see how FineReport can help you and your organization transform data into value.