IoT platforms in the cities

Purpose and goal

The aim of the project was to investigate how the IoT Sweden hubs (but also other cities) work with IoT platforms. Primarily from a technical perspective, but also considering organisational issues. Other projects and activities regarding data in the cities where considered as well. The hypothesis of the project was that there is a need for a common framework for data/IoT platforms based on open standards. This is needed to assure that the cities can work with data in a structured way across the city administration but also to enable scalability and service portability between cities.

Expected results and effects

The hypothesis above was widely accepted but the lack of national coordination was emphasised. However, It is not sufficient with a national framework; whole ecosystems incl platform and service providers that abide by the framework are needed. Generally, the work with data/IoT platforms is more structured in bigger cities that however face more complex coordination between departments. In smaller cities the chain of command is shorter with better internal communication. The project has produced a set of guidelines to help the cities in their future work with data and platforms.

Planned approach and implementation

The investigation included the IoT hubs Lund/Malmö, Gothenburg, Umeå, and Skellefteå, but also got inputs from Stockholm, Uppsala and several smaller cities. The work was mostly done through workshops and/or interviews with participation from the local hub project and municipal people responsible for data/IoT/platforms issues. Based on all inputs we identified similarities and differences between cities such as who initiates a project and why, how the city works with data and IoT platforms, integration within the departments, differences between smaller and bigger cities, etc.