Reference architecture for a complex system of connected smart things in the enterprise

Summary form only given. There are different smart things available in today´s enterprises, designed with diverse processing capabilities (starting from 8 bit uC to multi-core uPs), ranging from handling specific simple tasks (sensing and actuation) to sophisticated duties. With today´s diversified wired and wireless communication modes, these smart things can be easily connected to the enterprise IP network either directly or through network gateways. Once these millions of heterogeneous smart things are connected together, an enterprise wide complex system emerges. However in reality, it brings forth many technical challenges to be addressed, in order to attain expected business objectives.