Tag: IoT

Lessons Learned: When Building IoT Product Amidst a Global Pandemic Crisis

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Our Startup almost closed down during the COVID-19 global crisis.

We have seen many others crumble.

It’s not easy.

There was a lot of sacrifice by all of the team members.

That’s the reality of a startup founder.

The road of startup life is often filled with unexpected twists and turns.

It’s a rollercoaster ride of thrilling peaks and disheartening troughs where success and failure intermingle.

Promising Product But Wrong Timing

Our tale unfolds with a promising product whose journey was marked by unfortunate timing and intertwined with the unforeseen global pandemic.

Our story began with a spark of innovation aimed at crafting an IoT solution for the safety and well-being of seniors called Raqib.

We saw a vast market awaiting as societies globally were aging.

Yet, the market response was slow, which left us disheartened and pushed us to rethink our target audience.

Photo by ibrahim uz on Unsplash

Pivoting Market Segment – Wrong Timing Again!

With hope in our hearts, we shifted our focus towards ensuring the safety and health of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.

The essence of our product stayed the same, yet now, it offered solace to pilgrims during their sacred journeys.

The initial reactions during the trials in 2018 and 2019 were hopeful.

We even added a roaming SIM card feature, making the transition from home countries to Mecca smoother for the users.

Our hearts soared as all indicators hinted at a bright future awaiting our product.

Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash

However, the winds changed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, halting international travel.

Limited Mobility Killed Our Product!

Our product, heavily reliant on pilgrim mobility, faced an unforeseen challenge. As travel bans extended into 2021, our product lingered uncertainly, and our spirits sank.

When the world started moving again in 2022, reality hit us hard: our product needed more than we could provide to remain viable.

The financial burden of necessary hardware upgrades and additional research was too heavy.

The cruel timing forced us to decide to discontinue our cherished project.

This period, albeit painful, served as a turning point.

Through the storm, we tirelessly worked on diversifying our projects, crafting new paths to revenue.

Looking back, the adversity fueled our growth, pushing our startup to evolve.

Our expedition with this IoT solution is a vivid testimony to the uncertainties surrounding startup endeavors.

Adapt to Survive

Numerous external factors beyond our control play significant roles, with timing being a crucial player.

However, as startup founders, our journey also showcased our adaptability and resilience.

Our obstacles morphed into stepping stones, propelling us to learn, grow, and shift our sails toward success.

As we march ahead, we cradle the invaluable lessons from this expedition close to our hearts.

We’ve learned that:

  1. In the startup realm, timing is a significant factor, yet resilience is the cornerstone of navigating challenges.
  2. Adaptability is crucial when external circumstances shift dramatically.
  3. Diversifying projects can be a buoy in turbulent waters, keeping the startup afloat.
  4. Every hurdle carries a lesson, and each setback paves the path for growth and new opportunities.

Maybe you can also leave comments and share your story during the global pandemic. Thanks!

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My Fourth IoT Product Saved Me From Another Failure: Here’s What Need To Be Done

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The development of the Favoriot IoT Platform, my fourth product, unveiled a myriad of invaluable lessons.

Let’s delve into these insights that shaped our journey and can potentially guide other entrepreneurs.

1. Don’t Overlook Your Audience

Despite the excellence of the Favoriot IoT Platform, we initially missed out on a crucial element: its potential users.

A lesson drawn: No matter how stellar a product is, without its intended audience, it’s like a grand play in an empty theatre.

2. Leverage Existing Networks and Roles

Our initial oversight was rectified by tapping into my role on the Industry Advisory Panel.

This taught us the importance of utilizing existing networks and affiliations to benefit and promote our ventures.

3. Embrace the Power of Social Media

In this digital era, harnessing the potential of social media platforms is imperative.

Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can amplify a brand’s reach and resonate with a vast audience when used effectively.

4. Establish Authority and Credibility

By launching IoT training programs with professional certifications, we not only empowered our community but also fortified Favoriot’s position in the market.

It’s essential to demonstrate expertise and commitment in one’s industry.

5. A Product’s Heartbeat is Its Customers

One of the most poignant lessons: a product’s success isn’t solely in its features but in its alignment with the customers’ needs and feedback.

Truly understanding and catering to your audience can transform an overlooked product into a market sensation.

6. Embrace Adaptation and Evolution

The path to success is rarely linear. Our journey with Favoriot highlighted the need for constant reflection, adaptation, and the agility to evolve based on feedback and changing market dynamics.

7. Stay Rooted in Customer Insights

In the ever-changing landscape of technology, staying grounded in customer feedback and insights ensures the product remains relevant and continues to address the evolving needs of the market.

8. Commitment Fuels the Journey Ahead

Our unwavering commitment to aligning with our customers’ needs reinforced the trajectory towards a promising future.

It’s the perseverance and dedication to the vision that steers the ship, even amidst turbulent waters.

In Conclusion

The journey with the Favoriot IoT Platform has been one of discovery, growth, and invaluable insights.

For every entrepreneur, understanding these lessons can be the guiding star, ensuring their venture not only sets sail but also thrives in the vast entrepreneurial seas.

Finding Harmony in Chaos: What I Learned Building Three Products

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The life of an entrepreneur often feels like navigating through a stormy sea, full of unexpected waves and hidden obstacles.

I’ve been on this exhilarating journey for a while, sailing through the challenges of creating and launching three unique products.

Today, I invite you to sit by the fireside and listen to my story.

It isn’t a narrative of regret but one filled with lessons, grit, and perseverance.

Every product was a chapter, and every stumble was a stepping stone to greater understanding.

Product One: Bridging the Digital World for Seniors

The spark for my maiden voyage was a heartfelt desire to help seniors connect with the digital realm.

But, as with many first ventures, I made some rookie mistakes. I should have judged the size of the market and the intricate needs of my audience. Seniors required a user-friendly interface that married simplicity with functionality.

A fact I initially overlooked.

This experience was my first tryst with the importance of genuinely grasping your audience’s psyche and sculpting a product that echoes their desires and challenges.

View at Medium.com

Product Two: Envisioning Smart Cities but Facing Smarter Rivals

A vision of futuristic smart cities fueled my second endeavor.

I was confident about my innovative solution but needed guidance on the ease with which competitors could replicate my ideas.

To make matters trickier, I needed to prepare for the uphill battle of convincing stakeholders in urban planning.

From this, I learned the undeniable importance of safeguarding one’s intellectual creations and the art of negotiating in bureaucratic mazes.

View at Medium.com

Product Three: The Delicate Dance with Privacy

I embarked on my third journey to enhance consumer safety and family security.

But I was met with an unforeseen adversary: the ever-complex world of privacy.

Despite my genuine intention to offer safety, many perceived it as an intrusion into their private lives.

This chapter underscored the necessity of balancing beneficial tech advancements with the ever-evolving societal expectations and regulations.

View at Medium.com

Sailing Ahead: Lessons from the Trenches

The hurdles I faced in my first three ventures were undeniably hard-hitting.

But they weren’t roadblocks; they were guideposts.

They honed my insights on what a product should truly stand for, polished my design instincts, and deepened my understanding of the intricate dance between tech, culture, and regulations.

Every setback was a lesson.

Every rise is a testament to my grit.

And this relentless spirit and gathered wisdom paved the way for the creation of my fourth product – a culmination of all the lessons from the past.

In the wise words of Henry Ford, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

So, cheers to all the brave souls who embrace their mistakes, draw wisdom from them, and set sail once more!

Gems from My Journey:

  1. Know Your Audience: Delve deep into understanding their needs and aspirations.
  2. Protect Your Ideas: It’s not just about creation but also preservation.
  3. Navigate Bureaucracy: Master the art of negotiation and stakeholder engagement.
  4. Balance Tech and Ethics: Marry innovation with societal expectations and norms.
  5. Embrace Setbacks: Each is a stepping stone to better understanding and growth.
  6. Endless Iteration: Continuously refine, innovate, and adapt to the changing tides.

I have written five eBooks, which you can download for free HERE.

View at Medium.com

View at Medium.com

I Asked ChatGPT How to Win the IoT Platform Market

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We wondered if we can use ChatGPT’s insights to plan our Startup’s strategies.

Even though it churns out quite obvious strategies, we see them as a way to double down what we have thought earlier.

We take these with a pinch of salt and tweak as needed.

Below is what OpenChatGPT advises us:

Unveiling IoT Success Secrets

Wondering how to carve your niche in the bustling IoT platform market? The winners in the field have a few strategies up their sleeves, and we’re here to spill the beans!

Strategies for IoT Victory:

  • Find Your Niche: Zoom in on a specific sector where your platform shines brightest. Tailoring your IoT solutions to a niche makes you irresistible to your target audience.
  • Craft a Strong Ecosystem: Team up with tech and service wizards to craft a seamless IoT ecosystem. This ‘all-in-one’ appeal eases customer adoption and deployment.
  • User Experience is King: A platform that’s easy and intuitive wins hearts. Invest in straightforward interfaces, clear guides, and a support team that’s always ready for action.
  • Flex and Scale: Engineer your platform for effortless scaling and flexibility to accommodate diverse devices, use cases, and network conditions.
  • Security First: Show you care by safeguarding user data with top-notch security features and practices. Earning customer trust is half the battle won!
  • Analytics and Insights: Equip clients with savvy analytics tools to transform raw data into actionable insights, opening doors to efficiency and new revenue paths.
  • Open Standards for the Win: Champion open protocols and standards. This approach not only woos customers but also ensures your platform plays well with others, sans vendor lock-in worries.
  • Be a Thought Leader: Share your wisdom through articles, industry events, and open-source contributions. Positioning yourself as an IoT guru attracts eyeballs and potential clients.
  • Sales and Marketing Mastery: Craft a sales and marketing strategy that’s as smart and targeted as your platform, highlighting your unique strengths and deep market know-how.
  • Customer Success is Your Success: Commit to stellar customer support and engage with clients to guarantee they extract maximum value from your platform.

Integrate these strategies into your game plan, and watch Favoriot ride the wave to IoT market success in 2023 and beyond!

We thought that all of the above require more details and resources required.

Anyway, this is just a start. Will update you guys in the future how these strategies help us in our journey.

Unpacking Favoriot’s “Why”

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In every startup, many struggle to find the right “Why.” It usually will take time as we pivot our business to get the right product-market fit.

And here’s our story.

Making IoT Simple for All

Favoriot is your friendly IoT journey guide. We provide a platform where businesses and everyday people can easily manage their devices. Our tool is user-friendly and affordable, designed to make processes smoother, boost efficiency, and save you money. It’s crafted for growing with your needs, allowing the addition or removal of devices with zero hassle.

Our Journey: Learning & Refining

Over six years, we’ve shifted and reshaped our focus multiple times, learning more about our customers at each turn. Today, we believe we’ve grasped how our offerings genuinely aid in solving their problems.

The Core of Favoriot

  • Easing into IoT: Favoriot is all about simplicity. We want businesses to embrace IoT without stress, providing a straightforward navigation platform.
  • Innovation Central: We’re dedicated to being at the forefront of IoT innovation. Constantly crafting new solutions, we help businesses unlock the full potential of IoT.
  • Value First: Our platform is a powerhouse of value, assisting businesses in enhancing operations and fostering growth while being cost-effective and scalable.
  • Partnership Matters: We cherish long-term relationships with customers and partners, believing in cooperation and mutual benefits.

The Elevator Pitch

For those who need it short and sweet, Favoriot offers an easy, scalable, and wallet-friendly IoT platform for all.

With a surge in demand for IoT technology, we’re here to assist businesses in improving their operations and customer experience while keeping it cost-effective and straightforward to manage as they expand.

Lessons from Our Journey

Through our adventure in finding Favoriot’s “why,” invaluable lessons were learned:

  1. Customer-Centric Approach: Understanding our customers has been pivotal. Every refinement and shift in direction was aimed at better serving their needs.
  2. Adaptability: The journey taught us the essence of being flexible and adaptable, adjusting our sails as the winds of customer needs and market demand change.
  3. Passion for Accessibility: Our consistent goal is making technology accessible and beneficial for all, a guiding star leading us through the journey.

In the maze of IoT, these lessons are our compass, ensuring that we not only navigate but also help others find their way successfully.

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You can also follow my Medium Publications Aspiring Writer’s Journey, Influencer’s Journey, Startup Survival Journey, and IoT World.

Through Thick & Thin: Inside FAVORIOT’s Thrilling Six-Year Voyage!

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Six roller-coaster years have unfurled since FAVORIOT burst onto the IoT startup scene.

During this period, its tenacious team navigated through a sea of challenges, starting from a point of zero revenue, grappling with hefty operational costs, and hustling hard to attract their initial customers.

Embarking on a startup journey isn’t a sprint; it’s a grueling marathon to a remote and arduous destination dotted with daunting hills and towering mountains.

For the founder of FAVORIOT, uncertainty isn’t a stranger but a constant companion, silently questioning the startup’s survivability year after year.

While success stories of other startups – from inception to IPOs – are loudly broadcasted, the tales of numerous startups that didn’t make it are quietly buried in the shadows.

FAVORIOT, founded on February 20, 2017, and operational from April 1 that year, has had its fair share of close calls, challenges, and changes in its lineup, with many original members handing over the baton to newcomers.

The journey included developing “Raqib”, an IoT product meticulously designed for monitoring the elderly and pilgrims.

Despite significant investment and effort, the first year yielded no revenue.

What went wrong?

The situation further compounded when the Malaysian Hajj was delayed for two years due to the global health crisis, sidelining the freshly minted product.

Frustration also mounted in the early days as curious minds approached for knowledge but not for purchase.

Many wanted to understand IoT or explore collaborations, yet no one seemed ready to invest or even request a quote.

It felt as though people wanted to glean insights without giving back, leaving the founder feeling exploited and undervalued.

Initially, the team was hesitant about IoT training, assuming self-learning was sufficient. Recognizing the misjudgment, they course-corrected and launched commercial IoT courses in late 2021.

Despite the early turbulence, FAVORIOT’s user base swelled from a mere 20 to a whopping 7200 across 121 countries.

Its brand presence strengthened, positioning it as a top search result on Google.

Navigating through the notorious “Valley of Death” – a stage where many startups stumble and fall without gaining traction or customers – FAVORIOT stood resilient.

Past rejections from investors and accelerators didn’t deter them; instead, it emboldened their resolve to knock on more doors, seeking partnerships and venture capital to fuel expansion.

As they raise a toast to their sixth anniversary, the FAVORIOT team wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude.

They acknowledge the relentless effort and undying perseverance of each team member, the invaluable trust bestowed by their early patrons, and the unyielding support and encouragement from friends.

Life Lessons Summarized:

  • The startup journey is a relentless marathon, not a sprint, often filled with uncertainty and unending challenges.
  • Not every product will be a hit from the start; be prepared for failures and setbacks.
  • Early days are often riddled with frustration; persistence is key.
  • Recognition and customer base growth require time and consistent effort.
  • Past rejections should not hinder future opportunities; instead, use them as learning experiences to approach new partnerships and investors with renewed vigor and insight.

Here’s to FAVORIOT, to many more triumphant years ahead!

IoT Journey: Navigating Through Early Missteps Towards Successful Traction

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Embarking on a venture within the burgeoning realm of the Internet of Things (IoT), my team and I at MIMOS, an R&D Agency falling under the aegis of MOSTI, excitedly delved into the development of wireless technologies, with a particular emphasis on the then-nascent 6LoWPAN standards.

We were vigorously working on creating novel IoT applications, albeit with little consideration for their market viability, business models, or potential customer base.

Transition to a New Landscape

When I transitioned into the telecommunications sector after my stint at MIMOS, the challenges of running an IoT business began to unfold, underscoring that theories and practical applications don’t always align seamlessly.

As we launched our IoT platform under the Favoriot banner in 2017, we were buoyed by optimism, envisioning a market eager and ready to adopt IoT at the first opportunity. However, reality proved to be markedly different.

Unraveling the Seven Mistakes

Amid the early stages, we found ourselves trapped by seven critical oversights that hindered our progress:

  1. Talent Shortage: We prematurely assumed a talent-rich industry ready to develop IoT solutions. Upon our platform’s launch, the expected influx of subscribers utilizing it for IoT deployment was disappointingly slow, primarily due to a lack of awareness and technical know-how regarding sensor connectivity.
  2. Talent Concentration in Academia: With industry talent scarce, we turned our gaze towards colleges and universities, only to realize that comprehensive IoT education, encompassing its applications, benefits, and hands-on projects covering sensors, connectivity, middleware, and analytics, was not part of their curriculum.
  3. Training Gap: Relying heavily on YouTube tutorials as a training medium for our Favoriot platform was a misjudgment. Many potential users preferred structured courses over self-guided learning, highlighting the need for formalized training programs supplemented by online resources.
  4. Customer Onboarding Issues: Prospective clients often needed clarification and were uncertain about initiating their IoT journey and understanding its implications for their business. They needed guidance on adopting intelligent solutions that seamlessly integrate with and transform their organizations.
  5. Budgeting Hurdles: Decision-making processes could have been more active with multiple stakeholders involved. Organizations struggled to allocate budgets for IoT deployments, often needing clarification about the costs, the starting point for implementation, and the assignment of managerial responsibilities.
  6. Lack of Project Catalyst: Before the advent of COVID-19 in 2020, the pace of digital transformation within various businesses was lackadaisical and protracted, with no significant impetus to expedite IoT projects.
  7. Missed Training Opportunities: While opportunities for IoT training presented themselves, we should have noticed them, focusing myopically on platform development and marketing instead.

Conclusion

In retrospect, these mistakes were invaluable learning experiences, providing insights we then leveraged to gain traction gradually in the competitive IoT landscape.

Understanding and acknowledging these early missteps steered us back on course and imparted lessons that continue to guide our journey in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of IoT.

Each misstep and oversight brought crucial knowledge and understanding, ultimately leading to the traction we enjoy today.

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You can also follow my Medium Publications Aspiring Writer’s Journey, Influencer’s Journey, Startup Survival Journey, and IoT World.

Engagement App in a Red Ocean: The Twists & Turns Behind the Scenes of Favorsense

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This is the real-life story of my entrepreneurial journey.

Embarking on the journey to create our second IoT product, Favorsense, aimed at simplifying engagement between citizens and authorities, we learned quite a bit. The purpose of this app was to provide a platform for users, like students or residents, to report issues to relevant authorities, effectively acting as “sensors” in their communities.

We stumbled, we fell, we learned. Here’s a human recap of the tough spots we navigated through:

Copycat Alert!

In a world brimming with software applications, it’s easy for IT companies to mirror what we built with Favorsense, primarily since it doesn’t rely on bespoke IoT devices.

SaaS Transition Woes

Integrating our solution into the ingrained daily processes of local councils was no small feat. These councils often cling to their legacy systems, necessitating a flexible SaaS solution willing to bend and integrate without a fuss.

Navigating Red Oceans

With an array of similar, albeit not identical, solutions floating around, convincing customers to jump ship and embrace the new was an uphill battle.

Procurement Maze

.Venturing into smart city solutions introduces one to a tangled web of procurement processes, stakeholders, and budget constraints, making introducing a new product a complex dance.

Stand-Alone Dilemma

A solution solely focusing on citizen engagement doesn’t necessarily woo in tender or procurement processes; it often needs to be part of a larger project rollout to shine truly.

Floodgate Fears

Organizations often need to be more open to creating open channels for complaints and reports. No one wants to unleash a torrent of negativity, yet there’s a fine line between losing control and nipping potential PR disasters in the bud.

Legacy System Headaches

Old IT systems are notoriously stubborn and resistant to integration with newer, shinier solutions. The transition often demands substantial upgrades and a hefty financial investment.

Engagement Enthusiasm Ebb

Launching an app is one thing; maintaining user interest and engagement is another. Many similar apps have silently vanished after a short stint in the spotlight.

In essence, unlike our experience with Raqib, the first IoT solution, the challenges presented by Favorsense were different.

It was less about technical hiccups and more about tuning into user needs and smoothly integrating into existing workflows.

Favorsense was an easier sell when customers lacked a complaint or trouble ticket system. Each obstacle taught us something valuable: refining our approach and product with every step.

Remember to Subscribe to receive email updates on every post I publish.

You can also follow my Medium Publications Aspiring Writer’s Journey, Influencer’s Journey, Startup Survival Journey, and IoT World.

Bridging Malaysia’s IoT Talent Gap: The Favoriot Way

In the expanding universe of the Internet of Things (IoT), Favoriot has carved its niche with a clear focus – IoT training. But why the emphasis on training? The answer lies in the challenges posed by offering an IoT platform-as-a-service.

1. The Reality Check of an Empty Platform

An IoT platform’s potential remains untapped if there are no takers. When Favoriot first ventured into offering its IoT platform service, the uptake was dishearteningly minimal. A dominant reason? The brand ‘Favoriot’ was a new kid on the block, unfamiliar to the tech-savvy crowd and students who leaned towards platforms they recognized like ThingSpeak, ThingsBoard, Blynk, or Azure.

2. Identifying the Gap in the Market

We noticed a pattern. The Malaysian market had more resellers of IoT products than genuine product creators. For a nation aspiring to transition from a consumer to a producer, this spelled stagnancy. There’s a gaping chasm between importing technology and producing it. To bridge this gap, the nation needed talents capable of pioneering their own IoT innovations.

3. The Favoriot Pivot to Training

Recognizing this void, Favoriot decided to channel its energies into IoT training. From basic tenets to advanced nuances and IoT data analytics, we designed a comprehensive training regimen. The introduction of Professional Certificates was a game-changer, amplifying the professional credibility of participants.

Today, over 15 Malaysian universities have integrated the Favoriot IoT platform into their curriculum, predominantly in final year projects. Some institutions are even contemplating introducing Favoriot’s Professional Certificates, testament to its industry relevance.

4. Expanding Beyond Training

Does Favoriot’s vision culminate with training? Emphatically, no! Our IoT platform has been embraced by diverse sectors, from manufacturing and agriculture to smart cities. The training was the catalyst, the spark that ignited IoT adoption across Malaysia.

In Conclusion

Our journey at Favoriot is characterized by adaptability. We saw a need, recalibrated our strategy, and are now playing a pivotal role in Malaysia’s IoT talent evolution. As we look ahead, our commitment remains unchanged: empowering the nation through state-of-the-art IoT solutions and training.

10 Inspirational Life Quotes of Mazlan Abbas

Based on Dr. Mazlan’s biography, here are 10 inspirational life quotes that might resonate with his journey:

  1. “Success is the intersection of preparation and opportunity; I’ve lived at that crossroad.”
  2. “From the lecture halls of academia to the dynamic world of IoT, every step was a lesson waiting to be learned.”
  3. “When you’re passionate about innovation, every disruption becomes an opportunity.”
  4. “Teaching is the best way to learn; I’ve been both a student and a guide throughout my journey.”
  5. “A true leader not only creates a vision but inspires others to embrace it.”
  6. “In the rapidly evolving world of technology, remaining a student is the key to becoming a master.”
  7. “Your qualifications open doors, but it’s your passion and persistence that build empires.”
  8. “Every title I’ve held was a chapter; together, they tell the story of a relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation.”
  9. “Be the change in the industry you want to see, and soon you’ll find yourself leading the way.”
  10. “From a spark of curiosity to illuminating the world with ideas – such is the journey of a lifelong learner.”

These quotes reflect Dr. Mazlan’s dedication to education, leadership, innovation, and his impact on the world of IoT and telecommunications.