Three layers of computing

We have established that IoT sensors collect data, and that data is transmitted using a communication protocol to a computing platform of some sort to be analyzed, viewed, and acted upon. There are different methods to achieve the computing process based on the amount of data, the speed and time required, and the financial resources available. This computing activity may take place locally within a building on or close to the source, in the cloud, or through a combination of the two.

Building management systems, building automation systems, security systems, fire alarm systems, and other building systems have traditionally been used to build computing platforms, albeit as separate and disconnected systems. Basically, each of these systems has a computing platform of its own, either within the device itself, on a dedicated server, or on a personal computer. More recently, buildings have added cloud computing in an attempt to connect these building systems...