Author: Mazlan Abbas

IOT Evangelist

Why Malaysia Takes Almost 10 Years To Gain Traction in IoT

When New Technology Emerged

There must be a leading factor missing — this is what I found out.

Image created using Canva by Author

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Here I am, lounging in my office chair, a cup of my favorite tea in hand, staring out into the vastness of my thoughts.

It’s one of those moments where the world seems to slow down, and you’re left with nothing but your reflections.

Today, my mind wanders to a question that’s been bugging me for years: Why is the adoption of technology, specifically the Internet of Things (IoT), taking so much longer than expected?

I remember when Kevin Ashton coined the term IoT back in 1999.

It was a concept that promised to revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us.

Fast forward to 2014, Malaysia launched its National IoT Strategic Framework, and the buzz was electric. Yet, the excitement quickly fizzled out, and I couldn’t wrap my head around why.

Then came 2017, the year we launched our IoT platform at Favoriot.

We were pumped, ready to change the game, only to be met with a lukewarm response.

It was disheartening.

I spent countless nights looking at the stats, trying to figure out where we went wrong. It wasn’t until I hit the streets, talking to people, that it clicked.

The issue wasn’t with the technology itself but with the understanding of it.

Most people didn’t even grasp what IoT was, let alone why it was necessary. And if they were clueless about the ‘what’ and ‘why,’ the ‘how’ was even more of a mystery.

That’s when it hit me — the lukewarm response to our platform wasn’t about its functionality but about the lack of knowledge and understanding.

Fast forward a few more years, and the landscape started to change.

We realized that if we wanted to jumpstart IoT adoption, we needed to go back to the basics.

We needed to build awareness and nurture talent through IoT training.

It was a slow process, but with the push towards Industry 4.0 and AI, IoT began to gain prominence.

The need to collect data was undeniable, and how could you do that without IoT?

Image from Pixabay

Now, as I sit here in 2024, sipping my tea and looking over the latest stats, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but the growing IoT awareness and adoption is a testament to our efforts.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, to move forward, you have to take a step back and educate.

As I muse over this thought, I realize that the key to technology adoption isn’t just about creating cutting-edge solutions but also about bridging the gap in understanding.

And as the world slowly but surely embraces IoT, I can’t help but think, “We’re finally getting there.”

Image from Pixabay

IoT Trainings Offered by Favoriot:

Break the Mind Barrier by Being Alone

Self-Improvement

When things get tough. What do you do?

Walking and Being Alone — Reflection Time

So, there I am, right?

Big problem on my plate, and the usual chit-chat in the office or those brainstorming sessions just aren’t cutting it.

What do I do? I make my way to this little oasis outside the office.

Yeah, that small garden where the only thing better than the morning sun is the cool shade from the building. It’s like my little escape pod.

Sitting there, feeling the breeze on my face, it’s like my mind starts to unclutter.

I dive deep into my thoughts, kinda like having a conversation with myself.

“What went wrong? What could I have done differently?”

It’s my time to hit the pause button, you know?

Reflect on this crazy ride of entrepreneurship, why I even started this journey, and remind myself of all the sacrifices that come with the title.

It’s funny, thinking about it. Nobody really gets what goes through a founder’s head.

The worries, the hopes, the endless “what ifs” that dance around at night.

And despite it all, there’s this sense of gratitude for my team.

They’re out there giving their all, blissfully unaware of the storms I weather.

And that’s how it should be.

Why drag them into this whirlwind of stress?

Their focus should be on the work, while I, as their leader, figure out how to navigate through the chaos.

Sometimes, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) feels like therapy.

It helps me process my thoughts, clear the fog.

Those articles I’ve been sending out?

They’re more than just words.

They’re a piece of me, hoping to light up a spark in someone else, maybe even drum up some business along the way.

And if my inbox bombardments have been too much for some, hey, the unsubscribe button is there for a reason.

But for those who stick around, your support means the world.

It’s this whole cycle of thoughts, reflections, and realizations that keep me going.

The garden isn’t just a place to escape; it’s where I find my ground, ready to face another day.

Why the Favoriot IoT Developer Plan is Ideal for System Integrators

How Favoriot IoT Developer Plan Can Help System Integrators to Expedite Their IoT Projects

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System integrators (SIs) are tasked with the challenging role of amalgamating diverse technologies to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Favoriot, as an innovative IoT platform, significantly simplifies this task, mainly through its Developer Plan, which is especially suited to the needs of SIs.

This article highlights why the Developer Plan of Favoriot is a superior choice for SIs looking to expedite their IoT projects effectively.

Understanding the Challenges in IoT Deployment

IoT deployment is laden with complexities, including device placement, seamless connectivity, platform integration, and ensuring robust security measures.

These challenges can be daunting, especially for smaller companies.

A seasoned IoT system integrator is crucial in weaving these disparate elements into a seamless solution.

Favoriot: A Strategic Partner for System Integrators

Favoriot offers a versatile IoT middleware that bridges a wide array of devices using standard IoT protocols.

Its significant features that cater particularly well to SIs include:

  • Versatile Connectivity: Compatibility with a diverse range of devices.
  • Flexible Deployment: Options for both cloud and on-premises deployment.
  • Customizable Solutions: Support for tailored dashboard and application development.
  • Scalability and Expansion: Designed for growth and interoperability, steering clear of vendor lock-ins.

The Developer Plan: A Closer Look

The Developer Plan by Favoriot is designed for advanced IoT developers, often including SIs working on complex, large-scale projects. Its features are:

  • Pricing: At MYR 180 per month, MYR 1,200 per year, or MYR 1,260 for the Developer Bundle, it’s an investment in high-level IoT development.
  • Capabilities: It encompasses all the features of the Beginner Plan and extends them significantly. This includes support for 100,000 daily APIs, data export options, unlimited dashboards, and advanced widget types.
  • Advanced Integration: It offers 3rd-party integration capabilities, manual and automated control, and comprehensive analytics.
  • Suitability: Tailored for complex projects that demand in-depth analytics, extensive device management, and third-party integrations.

Advantages for System Integrators

  1. Scalability and Flexibility: The Developer Plan allows SIs to scale and modify solutions as per evolving project requirements.
  2. Enhanced Device Management: With support for many devices and advanced control options, SIs can manage complex IoT ecosystems more efficiently.
  3. Advanced Analytics: Critical for SIs, as it enables them to derive meaningful insights and refine IoT solutions for optimal performance.
  4. Third-Party Integrations: SIs needs to incorporate various technologies and platforms, enhancing the functionality and reach of IoT solutions.
  5. Comprehensive Security: As IoT systems often handle sensitive data, the advanced security capabilities of the Developer Plan ensure robust protection.

Conclusion

The Developer Plan of Favoriot is particularly well-suited for system integrators due to its comprehensive features that cater to the demands of large-scale, complex IoT projects.

By choosing the Developer Plan, SIs can leverage advanced analytics, extensive device management, and robust integration capabilities, thus expediting their IoT projects while ensuring quality and scalability.

This plan is not just a tool but a strategic asset for SIs aiming to excel in the IoT domain, providing them with the necessary capabilities to successfully navigate the complexities of IoT deployment.

Download Mastering IoT With Favoriot eBook ← Here.

https://mazlanabbas.gumroad.com/l/masteringiot

Writing My Next Medium Article is Damn Difficult

How to get ideas for your upcoming Medium articles — this is how I do it.

Getting ideas while taking a morning walk — Image created using Midjourney by Author

It’s one of those mornings again, the kind where the air feels just right, and the world is slowly waking up, bathed in that golden hour glow.

I’m out for my morning walk, trying to kickstart my day (and my brain) into some semblance of productivity.

The rhythm of my steps seems to sync up with the fluttering ideas in my mind, each step a potential leap towards my next Medium article.

“Come on, brain, do your thing,” I mutter to myself, half-encouraging, half-begging.

A dog barks in the distance, a bird chirps overhead, and somewhere in that symphony of everyday life, an idea starts to bubble up.

“What if I write about the simplicity of morning routines? Or the chaos of it?” I muse aloud, pulling out my phone to jot down the fleeting thought before it escapes into the ether.

Image created using Midjourney by Author

Fast forward to the daily grind, and I’m stuck in traffic, the kind that moves so slowly you’d swear time was standing still.

The radio’s playing some forgettable tune, but my mind is elsewhere, weaving through the congestion of both cars and thoughts.

“There’s something here,” I think, staring at the sea of brake lights ahead. “The parallels between traffic jams and mental blockages… Yeah, that could work.” I reach for my phone again, voice memo at the ready.

“Article idea: Navigating mental traffic jams, inspired by actual traffic jams. Explore solutions and parallels.” The voice memo captures the thought, a digital reminder for later exploration.

Then there’s the calm before the storm at the office, that precious window of time when I’m at my desk but the day’s demands haven’t yet fully descended.

I sip my coffee, the warmth, and caffeine a comforting ritual as I stare at the blank document on my screen.

“This is it, the quiet moment before chaos. There’s definitely an article in this,” I whisper to myself, fingers poised over the keyboard. “How to find peace in the small moments before the workday whirlwind.”

Image created using Midjourney by Author

I start typing, the words a slow trickle at first but gradually gaining momentum.

“Finding Your Calm Before the Workday Storm,” the document is now boldly titled, a testament to this morning’s journey from walk, to traffic, to desk.

It’s in these moments, these snippets of everyday life, that the ideas come alive, finding their way onto the digital page to be shared, pondered, and maybe even smiled upon by someone, somewhere, who needed them just as much as I did.

Image created using Midjourney by Author

Ready to Be a Thought Leader? — A Book Review

Thought Leadership — Book Review by Mazlan Abbas

This is the book where I started my thought leadership process.

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Oh boy, where do I even start with “Ready to Be a Thought Leader?” by Denise Brosseau?

This book popped onto my radar at just the right time. You know, one of those moments when you’re scrolling endlessly, looking for that spark of inspiration to hit?

Well, hit it did, and let me tell you, it was more like a lightning bolt. I’ve been toying with the idea of dipping my toes into the thought leadership waters, but honestly, I didn’t have a clue where to start.

Enter Denise Brosseau and her book, which might as well have been titled “Ready to Be a Thought Leader? : How to Increase Your Influence, Impact, and Success,” because it’s accessible and enlightening.

First off, Denise doesn’t just talk the talk; she’s walked the walk. With a resume that’ll make your head spin, she’s the real deal, and she’s generous with her insights.

The book lays out a seven-step process that’s like a treasure map to becoming a thought leader.

And the best part?

You can start this journey from wherever you are in your career. No need to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a Silicon Valley wiz kid.

If you’ve got expertise and a network, Denise shows you how to harness them to make waves in your field.

What really got me were the real-world examples. Reading about folks like Robin Chase of Zipcar and Chip Conley felt like having mentors whispering in my ear, telling me, “Hey, you can do this too!” It’s one thing to read a how-to guide; it’s another to see that guide brought to life through stories of people who’ve actually been there, done that.

But let’s get down to brass tacks — this book isn’t just a feel-good read.

It’s a workbook, a planner, and a mentor all rolled into one.

Denise doesn’t let you off easy. She’s got this knack for making you want to roll up your sleeves and get to work. And work you will.

With tips, strategies, and what feels like a personal success coach by your side, you start to see how even 15 minutes a day can set you on a path to making a real impact.

“Ready to Be a Thought Leader?” is more than a book; it’s a call to action.

It’s for anyone ready to take their career beyond the conventional success metrics and venture into the realm of lasting influence and legacy.

Denise Brosseau has crafted not just a guide but a companion for this journey, one that I’ll be keeping within arm’s reach as I take my first steps toward thought leadership.

If you’re sitting there, wondering if this book is for you, let me save you some time: it is.

Whether you’re looking to spark sustainable change, create a movement, or simply have a deeper impact in your field, this book holds the keys to the kingdom.

It’s a gem, and I’m just grateful to have stumbled upon it. Time to stop dreaming and start doing, folks.

Let’s get thought-leading.

Get this book from Amazon — “Ready to Be a Thought Leader? : How to Increase Your Influence, Impact, and Success” (Note: This is an affiliate link)

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A Day in Video Content Creation

Creating TikTok Videos daily is a challenging task.

Image created using Midjourney by Author

It’s early morning, the kind where the sunlight hasn’t quite mustered the courage to leap over the horizon, and here I am, sprawled out on the couch, my brain firing in a dozen different directions.

The clock is ticking, a soft, relentless reminder that the day is inching forward, and I’ve got to come up with anything for my next TikTok video.

But let’s be real, the very thought feels like lifting a mountain.

My mind’s a scrambled mess of ideas, half-baked concepts floating around like they’re in some sort of limbo, refusing to take shape.

I’m mentally exhausted, the kind of tiredness that sleep doesn’t fix.

Every ounce of creativity seems to have packed its bags and gone on an extended vacation, leaving me staring into the abyss of my phone screen, wondering how on earth I’m supposed to conjure up content that hasn’t been done to death.

The idea of diving into the details, editing, and fine-tuning is overwhelming.

Each cut, each transition feels like a monumental decision. And don’t get me started on the captions.

What am I, a wordsmith now?

It’s like every little decision is a Herculean task, and I’m just not sure I have it in me today.

But then, there’s this stubborn streak, a part of me that refuses to let the day win.

So, I start small, a sip of coffee here, a deep breath there, and slowly, ever so slowly, an idea begins to form. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s something.

A simple concept, maybe a bit of humor thrown in because, let’s face it, we could all use a laugh.

I grab my phone, hesitantly at first, and start piecing it together.

The first take is rough, the second not much better, but by the third, there’s a glimmer of something.

It’s not perfect, far from it, but it’s authentic, it’s real, and maybe, just maybe, it’s enough.

The sun’s up now, casting long shadows across the room, a silent witness to the small battle I’ve just fought and won.

I’m still tired and still a bit frazzled, but there’s a sense of accomplishment, however small.

I hit ‘post’ and toss the phone aside, a silent challenge to the day ahead.

Let’s see what you’ve got, world.

I’m ready for you.

The Sins of Writing Using AI (ChatGPT) — Can You Forgive Me?

There are times I get the help of AI. Is that a big problem?

Image created using Canva by Author

I was sitting in front of my computer screen, scrolling through yet another article post, hammering in the point that using AI or ChatGPT for our writing is a big no-no.

The frustration was real.

My mind was swirling with thoughts, “Really? Not even a little help?”

It felt like being handed a paintbrush but told not to use any colors.

Here’s the deal — I get it, okay?

The idea of just tossing a simple prompt into the AI abyss and letting it spit out a full-blown article or book without a second thought doesn’t sit right with me either.

That’s not creativity; that’s just being lazy.

But here’s where my frustration bubbles up like a volcano on the verge of eruption: English isn’t my first language. Getting those perfect, grammatically flawless sentences down?

It’s like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded.

Hours, I tell you, hours spent wrestling with a 500 or 1000-word article, trying to make it sound just right.

And it’s not just about grammar.

Conveying what I want to say, filling my articles with the right emotions, the nuances, the color — it’s daunting.

So, here’s the forbidden thought: what if I draft my thoughts, outline my content, and then, just then, let AI or ChatGPT fine-tune it?

Is that really so wrong? A sin, even?

“But what if the article turns out better? What if it actually gets read, appreciated, or — dare I say — earns something on Medium? Wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

The thing is, some of my articles that had a touch of AI assistance received good responses and even earned a bit. Meanwhile, the ones I slaved over, pouring my heart and soul into every word without any AI help, barely made a ripple.

It’s enough to make you wonder, isn’t it?

“Why is it that the ones I work hardest on, the ones I pour my everything into, just… flop?” I’d ask myself, staring at the screen, waiting for an answer that never comes.

And yet, there’s this lingering fear — what if a Medium publication outright rejects my work because it got a helping hand from AI?

Even if I’m the one steering the ship, drafting the content, and ensuring it reflects my voice, my ideas?

So here’s the confession, the moment of truth at the end of this tale of frustration and inner turmoil: this article, the very one you’re reading now, had a bit of help from ChatGPT.

Yeah, I said it.

With its assistance, I managed to shape my thoughts, polish my words, and hopefully, make this piece engaging and coherent.

Can you forgive me?

In a world where the line between human and machine creativity is becoming ever so blurred, maybe it’s not about who writes the article but the story it tells, the emotions it evokes, and the impact it has.

If using AI means breaking down language barriers and bringing our stories to life in ways we never could on our own, perhaps it’s not such a sin after all.

View at Medium.comView at Medium.comView at Medium.com

Architectural Patterns and Techniques for Developing IoT Solutions — A Book Review

Internet of Things (IoT)— Book Review by Mazlan Abbas

Best and Practical IoT Book in the Market

Architectural Patterns and Techniques for Developing IoT Solutions

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Big shoutout to Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal for dropping this gem: “Architectural Patterns and Techniques for Developing IoT Solutions: Build IoT applications using digital twins, gateways, rule engines, AI/ML integration, and related patterns.”

Architectural Patterns and Techniques for Developing IoT Solutions

Jasbir’s killing it in the IoT game and leading the way with some serious knowledge bombs.

His book is the ultimate cheat sheet for getting into or leveling up in the IoT world. It’s written in plain English so you won’t get lost in tech babble, and it’s packed with insights that’ll give you a solid grip on IoT basics and beyond.

You’ll love how it dives into real-life examples to take you from just talking the talk to walking the IoT walk.

It’s all about making those techy concepts stick by seeing them in action.

Plus, it’s not just theory. Jasbir shows you how to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty with IoT, turning big ideas into real-world magic. It’s perfect for tech heads and biz folks looking to get in on the IoT action.

Architectural Patterns and Techniques for Developing IoT Solutions

Seriously, don’t sleep on this book.

It’s a must-have for anyone in the IoT sphere. And hey, if you’re keen to check it out, hit up the link below (yup, it’s an affiliate link, so you know).

This book is a total game-changer. Don’t miss out!

https://amzn.to/49xPkzZ

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How to Overcome Social Media Fatigue

Maintaining and being active in multiple social media channels can be exhausting — Here’s how I cope with this.

I am now social media fatigued — Image created by Author

I must confess — I am a social media addict.

I have created multiple social media channels:

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Thread
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Blogs (if you consider this as social media channels, too)

For example, I have created and managed my Personal Facebook and several FB Pages and Groups (including my Startup and Association Pages).

I can’t remember, but I frequently posted and managed several YouTube channels under different names, including my Startup YouTube channel).

At the same time, I have several TikTok and Instagram accounts (personal and business).

I frequently posted on X and Threads, although I don’t see much traction on Threads compared to X.

The least active is Pinterest — probably because I have the least time to spend here.

If we consider Blogs as another social media channel, I have several, too.

Image created using SketchWow by Author

There are two main problems that I faced managing these social media channels:

  • There are too many channels — both personal and business.
  • There is too much content to create for each channel.

All of these have caused me:

  • A lot of anxiety
  • Wasting time checking and analyzing the stats
  • Headache to find new contents
  • Busy editing contents
  • Busy viewing all those channels

The time on social media sucks the time and energy from me. I have become very exhausted physically and mentally — I have become social media fatigued.

What should I do?

I decided to slow down and trim down the unnecessary social media channels and strategized the way I uploaded my content:

  • I decided to maintain only one personal and one business social media channel regardless of whether it’s FB, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
  • A lot of my content will be repurposed. The same video content will published in different channels.
  • Articles from my Blogs (mainly Medium) will be posted on X, Threads, and Facebook.
  • I have placed a simple process flow of generating content daily — especially in the early morning.
  • I have to make this an enjoyable task. Otherwise, I could have given up a long time ago.

I am still tired of managing all this content, but hopefully, one day, I can delegate my business social media channels to someone else.

I am less tired nowadays. I am grateful for that.

So, how do you manage your social media channels to ensure you stay energized?

My Views Jumped From 1K to 14K in One Week — But Is It Worth the Numbers?

Does it mean my earnings jumped multiple times? Read on.

Image created using Canva by Author

Everyone wants more views and more reads.

But which ones matter to your earnings?

Before 2024, all my views hovered above a couple of hundred, the highest being 1000.

But then, I decided to change my strategy.

In the first week of February 2024, the views jumped like crazy! 14,000% or 14X.

The first week of February 2024

But… my number of reads is just 157!

So, what happened?

I have imported my mailing list from a different database (two of my blogs) to Medium—almost 8K, and most are non-Medium members.

However, I decided to share some of my articles on a non-paywall, meaning whenever I emailed the mailing list, they would receive the entire article without returning to Medium to read.

They can just read from the email notifications that they have subscribed.

However, the drawback would be fewer “reads” in my Medium.

The advantage is that I directly communicate with subscribers to all my daily articles.

It goes back to the objective of whether you want to make ALL your articles behind the paywall or only selected ones to be published without a paywall.

As for now, I am happy to give something back to my non-Medium members.