Tag: IoT

When “Buy Local” Wasn’t Enough

I used to believe that supporting local products and technologies through MySTI would open the doors to the government procurement market.

It made sense. National pride. National sentiment. Building trust in our own capabilities.

But reality hit me hard.

We lost a tender bid to a non-MySTI product. Despite playing by the rules. Despite believing the policy was our shield.

That moment shook my trust.

Because sales don’t work on sentiment alone. Customers don’t always buy what’s local, or what’s logical. They buy what they want.

And wants are complicated.

Wants are psychological.
Wants are about prestige.
Wants are about safety.
Wants are about trust in who else is using it.

It’s rarely just about being “local.”

So I’ve decided to stop building my strategy on that emotion alone.

At Favoriot, we will no longer knock on doors saying “choose us because we’re local.”

We will knock with a different force.

Choose us because we solve your problems faster.
Choose us because our solutions reduce your risks.
Choose us because we innovate with you, not just for you.
Choose us because we deliver real outcomes, not just promises.

That’s the new foundation of our “wants.”

Not sympathy. Not sentiment.
But strength. Value. Impact.

And maybe, just maybe, when local technology wins on those grounds, it will mean even more than a label.

Because true pride comes not from being chosen out of obligation.
But from being chosen because we are the best choice.

Why Favoriot’s Vision to Democratize IoT Matters

What if the future of technology wasn’t just controlled by a handful of giants, but built by thousands of creators everywhere?

That’s the vision we carry at Favoriot. Not a future where IoT is locked away in labs, hidden behind paywalls, or restricted to enterprises with deep pockets. But a world where every student, every startup, every dreamer with an idea can create, test, and scale their own IoT solutions.

I often ask myself, why should the power of IoT belong to only a few?

The truth is that IoT has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives, from smart cities that breathe with data, to farms that thrive with precision, to factories that learn and improve with every machine cycle. However, the doors to building IoT are often closed by complexity, cost, and exclusivity.

That’s why Favoriot exists.

IoT Shouldn’t Be an Exclusive Club

I’ve been in the tech industry long enough to know this: many brilliant ideas die before they even take their first breath. Why? Because the entry barrier is too high.

I’ve seen students with incredible IoT project ideas get stuck because they couldn’t afford expensive platforms. I’ve watched startups burn months trying to stitch together incompatible systems, only to give up before their product reached the market.

I thought to myself, what if we could change that narrative? What if we could open the gate wider?

Favoriot’s vision is simple yet powerful — to democratize IoT. To build a platform that doesn’t intimidate but empowers. One that invites creators instead of scaring them off.

Building More Creators, Not Just More Users

Most platforms are designed to create more users. But Favoriot is designed to generate more creators.

That difference matters.

Being a user means consuming what someone else has built. Being a creator means shaping the future, solving your own problems, and building solutions that matter to your community.

At Favoriot, we want a high school student in Johor to build a smart agriculture project that could feed her village. We want a startup in Manila to prototype a healthcare monitoring device without relying on investors for funding. We want universities in Africa to launch IoT labs that not only teach theory but also create real projects that positively impact lives.

This is not about numbers. This is about empowerment.

The Favoriot Platform: More Than Just Tech

Yes, Favoriot is a platform. It’s a cloud-based IoT engine that connects devices, collects data, and helps you make sense of it. But to me, it’s more than that.

It’s a bridge.

A bridge between ideas and reality. Between imagination and execution. Between a world where IoT is for the privileged few and a future where IoT belongs to everyone.

When we built Favoriot, we made a conscious choice: simplicity, openness, and accessibility. No vendor lock-ins. No hidden traps. Just a space where your IoT journey can grow from blinking an LED to managing a smart city.

I smiled when one of our users once told me, “Favoriot is like training wheels for IoT — it helps us ride until we’re ready to pedal on our own.”

That’s exactly how I see it.

A Vision Rooted in Humanity

For me, democratising IoT is not just about technology; it’s also about empowering people. It’s about humanity.

Imagine if every farmer could monitor their crops in real time. Imagine if every doctor in rural areas had access to patient data at their fingertips. Imagine if every student, regardless of their location, could create something that addresses real-world problems.

That’s the kind of future I want to see.

I know it won’t be easy. Change never is. There will always be resistance from those who benefit from keeping technology closed, complicated, and expensive. But I also know this — the world has always moved forward when ordinary people were given extraordinary tools.

Why Now?

Because the world cannot wait.

IoT is no longer a buzzword; it’s the nervous system of modern life. From the cars we drive to the homes we live in, from the energy grids that power us to the health systems that save us, IoT is everywhere.

But here’s the catch: if only a few can create, then only a few will shape that future. And that, to me, is unacceptable.

We need diversity. We need creativity. We need more voices, more perspectives, more hands building solutions. And that only happens when IoT is democratized.

Closing the Gap Between Dream and Reality

Every time I see a young innovator upload their first data stream into Favoriot, I feel a surge of hope. It’s not just data flowing into the cloud — it’s dreams taking shape.

Every time a small business uses Favoriot to track their machines and reduce downtime, I see a glimpse of the future economy.

Every time a teacher tells me their students used Favoriot to complete a project that once felt impossible, I’m reminded of why we started this journey.

The gap between dream and reality doesn’t have to be wide. Favoriot is here to close it.

The Future We Want to Build

I don’t just want to build a successful company. I want to create an ecosystem. A movement. A community of creators who believe that IoT is not just for the rich, the powerful, or the technically elite.

I want Favoriot to be remembered not just as a platform, but as a turning point. The moment when IoT stopped being a privilege and began to become a right.

I thought to myself, maybe the true legacy of Favoriot isn’t the platform we built — but the creators we inspired.

And that’s a future worth fighting for.

We’re Not Just a Startup Anymore

Sometimes, people still introduce us like this:

“Oh, Favoriot? That IoT startup from Malaysia, right?”

And I pause for a second.

Yes, we were.

But are we still?

Let me rewind a bit.

Back in 2017, when we launched Favoriot, it was exactly that — a startup.

A handful of us.

One platform.

A dream to make IoT more accessible, especially for Southeast Asia.

Everything was lean, experimental, unpredictable.

Sometimes the server was more fragile than our optimism.

We pitched, we demoed, we chased leads — and celebrated every small win like it was a moon landing.

But today?

We’re in a different phase.

What Changed?

We’ve got paying customers.

Real ones.

Not just POCs or demos — but full deployments across smart cities, smart agriculture, education, and industry.

We’ve entered partnerships in Indonesia, the Philippines, Canada, India — and we’re not stopping there.

Our platform?

It’s no longer a prototype we hope works when someone opens their laptop.

It’s stable, scalable, and trusted by universities, enterprises, and city councils.

We even built Favoriot Academy — an education arm training hundreds (soon, thousands) of IoT-ready talents.

So, here’s the honest question I asked myself:

“Are we still a startup if we’re already delivering impact at scale?”

What We’ve Outgrown

The “startup” label carries a certain image.

You’re small. You’re scrappy. You’re still figuring things out.

But some things at Favoriot are no longer up for debate:

We know what we do best. We know who we serve. We know what pain points we solve.

We’re not constantly pivoting.

We’re focused on scaling what already works.

What We Still Keep

That said — we haven’t gone corporate.

We’re still fast.

We’re still experimenting.

We still believe in bold ideas and building things that matter.

We don’t have a long chain of decision-making.

You’ll still find me answering messages at odd hours, jumping into customer calls, and reviewing platform feedback with the team.

And we still have that fire — the same one we had when we first started.

So maybe we’re not a startup anymore…

But we’re not slowing down either.

So What Are We Now?

Some call this stage a scale-up.

Some say we’re an emerging tech company.

Others might call us a maturing platform player.

Me?

I say we’re still building.

Still growing.

Still proving that a Malaysian-born IoT platform can stand tall — and go global.

If you’re looking to partner with a company that’s lean enough to care but strong enough to deliver — we might be the right fit.

Not a startup.

Not a giant.

Just real people building real tech — one IoT solution at a time.

Let’s build the future together.

Why FAVORIOT Exists: The Deeper Purpose Behind Our IoT Mission

“Why do you do what you do?”

It’s a simple question — but one that hit me like a lightning bolt the first time I heard it posed by Simon Sinek in his book “Start With Why.” I thought I had the answer years ago when we founded FAVORIOT. We wanted to build an IoT platform. We wanted to be part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We wanted to make Malaysia proud.

But after reading Find Your Why, I realized I had only scratched the surface.

So I decided to go deeper. To strip away the features, the dashboards, the data streams — and ask myself, what is our true reason for being?

The Early Sparks: Frustration as Fuel

I spent decades in various ecosystems — from academia to government, corporates to startups. In every world, I saw the same problem repeat like a broken record: brilliant people with smart ideas were stuck because the technology was either too expensive, too complicated, or too foreign.

“Why are we importing tech for things we can build locally?”

“Why can’t our students graduate with real IoT skills, not just theories?”

“Why does every ‘Smart City’ pilot end with a press release but no long-term sustainability?”

Each “why” turned into fuel.

And that’s how FAVORIOT was born. Not from a business plan, but from frustration. From the belief that things should be simpler. That IoT shouldn’t be reserved for tech giants. That a kampung farmer, a Form 5 student, and a municipal engineer all deserve access to the same tools of transformation.

Understanding Our WHY

According to Find Your Why, every organization must uncover its purpose through reflection, story, and the impact it wants to make. It isn’t about what you do — it’s about why you do it.

And the format is simple yet powerful:

TO [your contribution] SO THAT [your impact].

So I asked myself:

  • What do we do when we’re at our best?
  • What makes us proud?
  • What kind of future do we want to build — not just for us, but for others?

Our WHY Statement

To empower people and organizations with accessible IoT technology, so that they can build smarter, connected futures on their own terms.

Let me unpack that for you.

“To Empower People and Organizations…”

We don’t just provide a dashboard.

We empower students to build their final year projects with confidence. We empower lecturers to teach IoT without needing an AWS certification. We empower entrepreneurs to launch sensor-based services. We empower city councils to detect flood risks, monitor waste bins, and receive alerts directly on Telegram — without vendor lock-ins or complex coding.

This empowerment comes in the form of:

  • A local, developer-friendly IoT platform (FAVORIOT Cloud)
  • Training and certifications via FAVORIOT Academy
  • Partnerships that build ecosystems, not just transactions

We’ve seen it firsthand — the moment someone realizes “Hey, I can build this myself” — that’s where our real work begins.

“…with Accessible IoT Technology…”

IoT is often wrapped in buzzwords: LPWAN, edge computing, mesh networks. But in truth, most users don’t need to know all that.

What they need is:

  • A clean dashboard
  • A reliable API
  • A simple setup guide
  • Local support, not just chatbot replies from time zones away

We built FAVORIOT with accessibility in mind. Not “dumbed down,” but demystified. So that even if you’re a high school student or a small-town official, you can say, “Yes, I understand this.”

We’re proudly Made in Malaysia, but we’re built for global adoption — especially in regions where digital transformation is often a PowerPoint slide, not a daily tool.

“…So That They Can Build Smarter, Connected Futures…”

This is the impact. The soul of our mission.

It’s not about selling more subscriptions or deploying more gateways. It’s about helping others take control of their own digital transformation.

A university that trains 500 certified IoT graduates per year?
That’s a smarter future.

A logistics company that reduces vehicle downtime with sensor data?
That’s a smarter future.

A kampung that uses IoT to monitor river levels and avoid flooding?
That’s not a Silicon Valley fantasy. That’s reality. And it’s happening.

Because we gave them the tools — and more importantly, the confidence — to build it on their own terms.

What Favoriot Is Not

We’re not trying to compete with AWS or Azure on scale.

We’re not just another smart city vendor with flashy mockups and no follow-through.

And we’re definitely not in it for vanity metrics.

What we are building is a platform that:

  • Trains the next generation of engineers and technologists
  • Supports local system integrators with ready-to-deploy tools
  • Strengthens national resilience by owning our tech stack
  • Connects the dots between ambition and execution

Why This Matters — Especially Now

Everyone’s talking about AI. And yes, AI is exciting.

But here’s the truth: AI needs data. And data comes from IoT.

Without sensors, there are no predictions. Without real-time input, there’s no intelligent decision-making. IoT is the nervous system — AI is the brain. You can’t build a smarter future with just one.

Yet IoT is often the unsung hero.

FAVORIOT exists to make that hero visible — to give it a platform, a purpose, and most importantly, a presence in our communities.

Closing Thoughts: Why I’m Still Here

People sometimes ask me, “After all these years, what keeps you going?”

And honestly, it’s not the tech.

It’s the message I got from a student who said, “Dr., because of the Favoriot certification, I got hired immediately after graduation.”

It’s the local council officer who said, “We prevented a flood this year — because of your alerts.”

It’s the partner in Indonesia who said, “We never thought we could build our own IoT solution — until Favoriot.”

That is our WHY.

That is why we exist.

And that is why we’ll keep building.

Your Turn

If you’re a student, a policymaker, a developer, or an entrepreneur — and you’ve ever thought “IoT is too complex” — I invite you to rethink that.

Because with the right platform, the right support, and the right purpose — you’re closer to a smarter future than you think.

And we, at Favoriot, are here to help you build it.

Let’s democratize IoT. Together.

Let’s Make IoT Great Again — The Malaysian Comeback We’ve Been Waiting For

“Malaysia’s not ready yet…”

You’ve heard that line, haven’t you?
I’ve heard it in government meetings, corporate pitches, startup huddles, even in university halls.

“Let’s wait for the right timing.”
“Let’s see if the budget gets approved.”
“Let’s hold until the talent pool matures.”

Enough waiting. Seriously.

Because if we keep hitting pause, someone else is going to press play — and leave us behind in the dust.

South Korea Didn’t Wait. China Didn’t Either.

In the 1980s, South Korea was still recovering and rebuilding.
In the 1990s, China was just finding its footing on the world stage.

They weren’t “ready” either.

But they moved.
They dared.
They started.

And now? The world watches them. Learns from them. Competes with them.

Malaysia, it’s our turn. But only if we dare to move — even if it’s messy.

Whatever Happened to IoT?

I still remember when IoT was the darling of tech conferences.

Smart cities.
Smart farming.
Smart industries.
Smart everything.

IoT was the buzzword. The future.

But slowly, it faded. AI came in with a bang — and now even school kids are doing AI projects. Meanwhile, IoT became the forgotten tech. The backup dancer.

But guess what? IoT never went away. It just stopped trending.

And that’s not fair — because IoT is the foundation.
No IoT, no data.
No data, no AI.
No AI, no “smart” anything.

We’ve been cheering for AI, but forgot where AI gets its brain food — real-world data from IoT devices.

So let’s bring IoT back to the main stage.

Waiting for a Masterplan? Here’s the Truth.

Malaysia loves blueprints. Loves roadmaps. Loves waiting for official green lights.

But progress rarely comes from the top. It starts in the cracks.
In university labs.
In garage workshops.
In kopitiam brainstorms.
In “I-don’t-know-coding-but-I’ll-try” kinda attitude.

You don’t need to be a coding wizard.
You don’t need RM100,000.
You just need the guts to start.

Platforms like FAVORIOT make it ridiculously easy to test, build, and learn. Plug and play. Create a dashboard. Get alerts. It’s not rocket science anymore.

And you don’t need permission to innovate.

Here’s My Challenge to You

I’m not asking you to build Malaysia’s next unicorn startup tomorrow.

I’m asking you to:

  • Build a small IoT project with your kids.
  • Monitor your home’s electricity using sensors.
  • Start a DIY smart farm with friends.
  • Teach students how to send data to the cloud.
  • Connect a temperature sensor to a dashboard just because you can.

Each small project creates momentum.
Each momentum builds confidence.
Each confidence turns into a movement.

Imagine hundreds — no, thousands — of these projects happening across Malaysia. That’s not hype. That’s ecosystem-building.

Start Small. Start Messy. But Please—Start Now.

Let’s stop worrying if it’ll fail. Let’s stop doubting ourselves.

Failure is part of the story.

Every successful nation, every great tech innovation — it all started with people trying, failing, adjusting, and trying again.

If we want Malaysia to lead in IoT, we need to stop talking and start doing.

Because:

  • The technology is already here.
  • The talent is growing.
  • The platforms are local and ready.
  • The excuses are tired.

The Revival Starts Here — and With Us

I’m writing this not just as someone in the IoT industry, but as a Malaysian who’s tired of hearing “We’re not ready.”

What if we stopped asking for permission?
What if we trusted ourselves to build something great from the ground up?
What if our “small” becomes the next big thing in Southeast Asia?

This isn’t a government-only mission. This isn’t a corporate-only opportunity.

This is everyone’s movement.

If we wait for perfect conditions, we’ll never move.

So let’s stop waiting. Let’s start building.

Malaysia, This Is Your IoT Moment

It’s not about who’s ahead now. It’s about who dares to start — and keeps going.

We’ve got what it takes.

Let’s build the sensors.
Let’s write the code.
Let’s run the dashboards.
Let’s fix the bugs.
Let’s train the students.
Let’s test the ideas.
Let’s MAKE MISTAKES.

And let’s make IoT great again — in our own Malaysian way.

Not by following others, but by leading with bold, messy action.

Are you in?

What Is the Legacy You Want to Leave Behind?

“Mazlan, if one day you’re gone… what do you want people to remember you for?”

That question hit me harder than I expected.

Not because I didn’t have an answer — but because I never sat down to ask myself that question. Not seriously. Not honestly.

I’ve chased titles. Built startups. Stood on stages. Collected lanyards from conferences like souvenirs from a battlefield. But when the applause fades, the lights dim, and the LinkedIn likes stop rolling in… what remains?

That’s where the legacy lies.

Legacy Isn’t a Resume. It’s a Ripple.

Most people think legacy is about achievements — the things we list proudly on our CVs, or etch on tombstones.

“Inventor of X.”

“CEO of Y.”

“First person to Z.”

But that’s not legacy. That’s history.

Legacy is the echo. The ripple. The silent change you trigger in someone else’s life — often without even knowing.

For me, legacy isn’t the IoT platform I built. It’s the student who emailed me last week saying, “Dr. Mazlan, because of your workshop, I now believe I can create something valuable.”

That.

That right there — is the real legacy.

You Don’t Have to Be Famous to Leave a Legacy

There’s this myth that legacy is reserved for the Elons, Steves, or Obamas of the world.

Nonsense.

Your legacy could be the way you raise your children to be kind in a world that often isn’t.

It could be the junior colleague you mentored, who now leads a team of 20.

It could be the way you made people feel seen, heard, respected.

The problem is, most people live on autopilot. Wake up. Work. Sleep. Repeat.

“I’ll think about legacy when I retire,” they say.

But legacy isn’t built when you’re 65. It’s built today. With every decision. Every interaction. Every “I believe in you” when someone needed to hear it most.

My Legacy? Favoriot Was Just the Beginning

I didn’t build FAVORIOT because I wanted to be known as the “IoT guy.”

I built it because I saw a future where Malaysia — and other developing nations — could own their digital destiny. Where our innovations weren’t just consumers of Western tech, but creators of solutions.

I wanted a child in Kelantan to learn IoT in their school lab… and dream of solving real problems, not just passing exams.

I wanted local councils to embrace smart cities not because it’s trendy — but because it reduces flooding, saves energy, and improves lives.

And yes — I wanted retirees like me to know it’s never too late to start your final and most meaningful career.

FAVORIOT, to me, was the vehicle. The platform. The megaphone.

But the legacy?

That’s the mindset shift. The empowerment. The belief that we — Malaysians, Southeast Asians, anyone in the so-called “developing” world — can innovate for our own and not just import from others.

What Will You Leave Behind?

If your name disappeared from your company website tomorrow, would the company feel your absence?

If social media vanished, would your voice still resonate somewhere?

If your children, students, friends, or community were asked, “What did this person stand for?” — would they know?

And if you don’t like the answer… maybe it’s time to change the story.

The 3-Legged Stool of Legacy: Impact, Influence, Intention

Here’s how I think about it now:

Impact – What tangible changes have I made? Did I build something useful? Did I fix something broken? Influence – Who have I inspired? Encouraged? Mentored? Intention – Why did I do it? Was it for ego… or for evolution?

You don’t need to tick all three boxes every day. But over a lifetime? They should start to align.

Final Thoughts (But Not the Final Chapter)

When I’m gone, I don’t want people to remember my job titles. I don’t need statues or awards.

I just want someone, somewhere — maybe a young engineer, maybe an entrepreneur on the edge of quitting — to say:

“Because of what he shared, I kept going.”

“Because of what he built, I believed it was possible.”

“Because of how he lived, I dared to do the same.”

That’s enough.

So, I’ll ask you now what I finally asked myself:

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

And more importantly…

Are you building it today?

FAVORIOT’s Journey: Scaling IoT Locally, Shaping Digital Futures Globally

Based on FAVORIOT’s current trajectory, I would position us between the Growth Stage and the Future Stage — with a strong foot still in Growth, but steadily stepping into Future. Let me explain why.

Growth Stage: Where FAVORIOT is firmly rooted

FAVORIOT has already moved past the early Forge Stage — we’ve done the startup showcases, the live pitches, and the “who are you?” introductions. Those were our days in 2017–2019. Back then, we were explaining IoT to people who thought it was just about “smart home gadgets.” We had to educate, advocate, and validate — just to be seen.

Now?

We’re not just being seen — we’re being chosen.

Here’s how FAVORIOT aligns with the Growth Stage characteristics:

  • Fundraising and sustainability: We’ve bootstrapped from day one and survived the startup valley of death. We’re revenue-generating with paying clients in multiple verticals — education, government, smart city integrators.
  • Regional expansion: With partners in Indonesia, Philippines, Canada, and now India, our FAVORIOT Partner Network Program is not theory — it’s in motion. We’re onboarding system integrators who are deploying our platform in their local ecosystems.
  • Scaling education + enterprise: Our university certification programs, IoT labs, and integration-ready platform are helping us scale vertically into academia and horizontally across industries like agriculture, energy, and logistics.
  • Talent and branding: We’re building a real brand — not just a tech stack. From “IoT Man” and “IoT Queen” to our Sembang Santai podcasts and viral blog posts, we’re cultivating a community around a movement, not just a product.

“Okay, so we’re scaling. But are we ‘Future’ enough?”

That’s where the next chapter begins.

Future Stage: Where FAVORIOT is heading (and partially already there)

We’re not merely riding the current wave — we’re looking at what’s next, and in some cases, already building it.

How FAVORIOT aligns with the Future Stage:

  • AI + IoT (AIoT): We’re deeply embedded in conversations about how IoT-generated data powers AI. This isn’t hypothetical. Our clients are integrating analytics, predictive maintenance, and automation using the data we provide.
  • Digital Twin integration: With our new partnership with Future Elements Singapore, we’re pushing FAVORIOT data into 3D Digital Twins to visualize smart cities in real-time. That’s not tomorrow — that’s now.
  • Tech sovereignty: We’re part of the conversation around Malaysia’s digital independence. We’re advocating for national platforms, local data centers, and homegrown solutions to reduce reliance on foreign tech giants.
  • Smart Cities, Sustainable IoT: We’re not just talking devices — we’re talking ecosystem impact. Our collaborations with universities, local councils, and national bodies focus on sustainability, circular economy, and climate resilience powered by IoT.

So, where exactly is FAVORIOT?

Let’s visualise it like this:

We are bridging Growth and Future — like a startup that’s still scrappy, but also visionary. We’re refining our product, growing our partner network, pushing into AIoT, and influencing national digital policy.

“We’re not just building an IoT platform anymore… we’re shaping what Malaysia’s digital future could look like.”

And that’s a stage I’m proud to stand on.

From Manual Logins to a Global Force: This is Favoriot 4.5

“Dr. Mazlan, I didn’t receive my password—boleh email balik?”

I still remember that message. One of our earliest users. Back when onboarding meant me, personally, typing out usernames and passwords… and emailing them. One. By. One.

No dashboard.
No billing.
No automation.
Just a dream—and a lot of copy-pasting.

Was it messy? Yes.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.

That’s where Favoriot was born—not in a boardroom, but in a Gmail inbox at midnight.

We Built It The Hard Way

Every support ticket? A lesson.
Every bug? A wake-up call.
Every confused user? A chance to rethink.

We didn’t have “customer personas.”
We had real people telling us, “This part tak faham…”
And that direct feedback shaped everything.

So we added what mattered:
✅ Visual dashboards
✅ Auto device creation
✅ Better user controls
✅ A real self-service platform

Eventually, we stopped emailing passwords.

And Then… We Grew

By version 3.0, Favoriot wasn’t a scrappy prototype anymore. It was real.

Today?
🌍 111 countries
👨‍💻 9,600+ developers
📱 13,000+ IoT apps

What’s wild? We have no idea what most users are building.
And you know what? We love that.

Favoriot is flexible enough for developers to use it their way—without us needing to micromanage or interfere. That’s the magic of a true IoT platform-as-a-service.

We Kept It Cheap—On Purpose

We priced it low. Dirt cheap, some said.

Because back then, IoT wasn’t mainstream.
We wanted students, hobbyists, and young startups to try.
To explore. To fail. To learn.
Without worrying about subscription fees.

That strategy worked.
It built trust. It built momentum.
And it got Favoriot where it is today.

But Let’s Be Real—It’s Time

Favoriot 4.5 isn’t a toy.
It’s a world-class platform.

We’ve benchmarked ourselves against the global giants.
We’ve made it faster, stronger, smarter.
And yes—it’s time the subscription reflects that.

Starting June 2025, our prices will change.

Why?
Because we’ve earned that seat at the table.
And we want to keep delivering the value you deserve.

But Here’s The Deal

If you subscribe before June—
You lock in the current price.
No surprises. No sudden hike.
Your loyalty gets rewarded.

To the Early Believers

If you’ve been with us since the manual days…
If you ever waited for your login in your inbox…
If you clicked “refresh” hoping we’d fix the bug…

Thank you.

Favoriot 4.5 carries your fingerprints.
We wouldn’t be here without you.

And we’re just getting started.

Let’s keep building the future of IoT—together.

Favoriot: A Marathon of Pivots, Perseverance, and Purpose

“This is going to be a game-changer!”

That was the spark that ignited our journey. In 2017, we embarked on a mission to revolutionize the Internet of Things (IoT) landscape in Malaysia. Our first stride? Raqib—a wearable device designed to ensure the safety and health of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. It was more than just a product; it was a vision to provide peace of mind to individuals and their families during spiritual journeys.

KM 0–5: The Starting Line – Raqib’s Ambitious Launch

Launching Raqib felt like the exhilarating first kilometers of a marathon. The energy was high, the vision clear, and the team motivated. We believed in our product’s potential to make a significant impact. However, as with any long-distance race, the initial excitement soon gave way to unforeseen challenges.

KM 6–10: The First Hurdles – Technical Glitches and Market Realities

As we progressed, technical issues began to surface. The device faced unexpected glitches, and our marketing efforts didn’t yield the anticipated traction. It was a tough pill to swallow. But we weren’t ready to give up. We pivoted and introduced Favorsense, aiming to capture a different segment of the IoT market. Yet, despite our best efforts, it struggled to gain user interest.

“Where did we falter? What could we have done differently?” I often pondered during those challenging times.

KM 11–15: The Turning Point – Recognizing the Core Strength

Amidst these setbacks, a realization dawned upon us. The common thread between Raqib and Favorsense was the underlying platform that powered them. This platform, robust and versatile, had the potential to be more than just a backbone for our products. It could be the very product we needed to focus on.

I told the team, “This platform can be used by anyone who wants to develop their own IoT products. “

With renewed determination, we decided to pivot once more. We introduced the Favoriot IoT Platform to the public, offering it free to attract a broader audience. However, adoption was slower than expected. Despite creating tutorials and sharing resources, many users found it challenging to navigate the platform.

KM 16–20: Bridging the Gap – Introducing IoT Courses

Understanding the need for guidance, we launched IoT courses tailored to help users grasp the platform’s capabilities. These courses weren’t just about theory; they offered hands-on experience, enabling participants to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Universities and polytechnics across Malaysia began integrating the Favoriot IoT Platform into their curricula. Students utilised it for their final-year projects, bringing innovative ideas to life.

“This is a significant achievement for us,” I expressed pridefully.

KM 21–30: Expanding Horizons – Building Partnerships

As we continued our journey, we recognised the importance of collaboration. We partnered with system integrators and enterprises, offering our platform’s cloud-based and enterprise-based models. This flexibility allowed clients to choose solutions that best fit their needs, further solidifying Favoriot’s position in the market.

KM 31–40: Gaining Momentum – Recognition and Growth

Our efforts began to bear fruit. Favoriot was no longer an unknown name in the IoT landscape. Out of 9,375 users (as of January 27, 2025), 80% came from our own country—a milestone that filled me with pride.

“We did it,” I told my team with a sense of accomplishment. “We’ve proven that we can compete with global platforms and carve out our own space.”

KM 41–42.195: The Final Stretch – Looking Ahead

Today, the Favoriot IoT Platform is a testament to resilience and adaptability. The journey has been a marathon from its humble beginnings with Raqib to becoming a cornerstone in IoT education and development. We’ve learned that setbacks aren’t failures but opportunities to pivot and grow.

As we look ahead, our vision is to take the Favoriot IoT Platform beyond Malaysia, reaching global audiences and empowering the next generation of IoT innovators.

“This is just the beginning,” I remind the team. The marathon continues, and we’re ready for the next leg of the race.

So, Startup or Marathon?

Startup is a marathon.

But with Favoriot, it’s not just about enduring.

It’s about leading, creating, and building something that lasts beyond the race.

And here’s the truth no one tells you:

The real finish line is when others start running because you did.

Why Do Students Hire Outsiders to Do Their Projects?

A Response from an Educator, Entrepreneur, and Tech Education Advocate

“Why are students willing to pay outsiders to do their projects? What’s the root cause? Where did we go wrong?”

This question isn’t new. It has been raised many times in discussions between academics, industry players, and the tech maker community. But this time, it was addressed with raw honesty by a trainer who truly understands students — someone who has taught students, trained lecturers, and now works with industry professionals. I found the four points he raised very insightful, and I’d like to unpack them — not to dispute, but to build on the conversation with my own experience.

1. University Syllabi Don’t Offer Enough Hands-On Experience?

“Is this really true, or are we not seeing the bigger picture?”

I’ll admit — there’s some truth to this. Many students who’ve come to me for consultation, especially on IoT or Favoriot training, often complain that their final year projects had to rely on self-learning via YouTube because they lacked deep technical guidance.

“But… surely not all universities are like that?”

Exactly. Some universities have moved towards hands-on learning, especially polytechnics, vocational colleges, and certain engineering faculties that actively collaborate with industry. The real problem is inconsistency. Some still rely heavily on simulation — and in fields like IoT, AI, or robotics, learning without touching hardware is like trying to learn swimming on dry land.

When I trained university lecturers through our Train the Trainers program for IoT, I saw firsthand how much they wanted to shift to practical methods — but were sometimes constrained by equipment, budget, or institutional policies. That’s reality.

This is why platforms like Favoriot are designed to break those barriers — offering affordable, easy-to-access platforms that can be embedded into courses, enabling students and lecturers to work from basic projects to advanced real-time data integration.

2. Lecturers Can’t Identify Student Talents?

“Are we too busy to notice the potential blooming right in front of us?”

As a former lecturer, I understand the pressure — full lecture schedules, endless meetings, research deadlines, and admin tasks. It becomes almost impossible to personally assess each student’s potential — unless they step forward.

But that’s not an excuse.

I’ve learned something through running smaller classes. “When the group is small, it’s easier to spot who’s struggling, who’s excelling. But in a lecture hall with 100 students?” We need a system.

Some suggestions:

  • Use mini-projects at the beginning of the semester to diagnose technical aptitude.
  • Bring in industry mentors (like us at Favoriot) to support project work.
  • Offer microlearning platforms like IoT Academy as supplements, not just stick to lecture notes.

Talent has to be discovered — not waited on.

3. Students Chase Paper Qualifications Only?

“Grades matter. But is that the ultimate goal?”

Many students believe excellent CGPAs equal great jobs. But times have changed. Employers now care more about your portfolio than your transcript.

I’ve met students with perfect grades who can’t troubleshoot a sensor. But I’ve also seen average students who build working temperature-monitoring systems with Telegram alerts using Favoriot — and are now working with real IoT startups.

This isn’t about who’s smarter, it’s about who’s brave enough to learn on their own.

That’s why we always encourage students to start with mini-projects early in the semester. Better to fail early and learn fast. We must build a culture of “learn by doing, fail fast, recover faster.”

4. Universities Are Slow to Update the Syllabus?

I fully agree here. Technology evolves every six months — yet syllabi may only change every six years. Changing a curriculum isn’t easy — it requires senate approvals, academic committees, MQA validation, and more.

But I applaud technical institutions like TVET, polytechnics, and certain private colleges that quickly adopt new tech. Some don’t just teach “how to use,” but also “how to think.”

However, we can’t just create skilled workers. We need thinkers, problem-solvers, and future tech leaders — those who can build solutions, not just follow instructions.

That’s why Favoriot is more than just a data platform. It’s a thinking tool. A place where students ask:

  • How can I solve a real-world problem?
  • How does data help decision-making?
  • How can tech integration impact communities?

So… Is It Wrong for Students to Hire Outsiders?

I asked myself the same thing — is it the students’ fault or the system’s?

I don’t fully blame the students. Sometimes they panic, lack support, and just want to pass. I also don’t blame those who offer project services — sometimes that’s the only indirect way a student learns something.

“But… if a student pays and learns nothing — that’s the real problem.”

We need to change the narrative:

  • From “doing it just to pass” to “doing it to learn.”
  • From “copying projects” to “creating value.”

From Training Students to Training Lecturers to Training Industry

I understand what the original author meant when he said:

“I used to train students, then lecturers, and now industry staff…”

That’s the cycle. When students and lecturers reach a certain capability, they don’t need you anymore. And that’s not a loss — that’s a win.

I’ve experienced the same. When IoT becomes embedded in campus life, when the Favoriot dashboard becomes an official teaching tool — I know my mission is progressing. Even if I’m no longer invited, I quietly smile inside.

“Opportunities will always come — maybe not from the same place, but from the impact you’ve already planted.”

To close:

  • Students need more hands-on guidance.
  • Lecturers need time and tools to identify talent.
  • Universities need the courage to match industry demands.
  • And all of us must see education as more than just passing — it’s about living, contributing, and growing.

For those who help students — do it with the heart to teach, not just to earn. Let them learn — even if it’s through you.

One day, they will thank you — not for finishing their project, but for making them someone who can stand on their own and create value.

“That’s the real purpose of education. And that’s the legacy we should all strive to leave behind.”