[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-settings":3,"blogpost-the-3-challenges-of-building-web-mobile-iot-apps-and-their-solutions":72},{"footer":4,"contact_form":6,"chat_widget":11,"accolades":19,"seo_social":63},{"iso_notice":5},"Wolfpack Digital is an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 14001:2015 certified company - © _YEAR_ Wolfpack Digital. All rights reserved.",{"budgets":7},[8,9,10],"Under $50.000","Between $50.000 - 200.000","Over $200.000",{"consent":12},{"greeting":13,"title":14,"body":15,"accept_label":16,"decline_label":17,"declined_message":18},"Awoo! I'm Wolfpack Digital's AI assistant. Ask me anything about our services, process, or team, and if you want a project estimate, I can point you to our AI Estimator.","Data Privacy","\u003Cp>Hi there! We would love to talk with you. 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Come back if you change your mind.",{"winnersOfList":20,"awardsList":29,"inHouseAppImages":46,"certificationsList":50},[21,25],{"alt":22,"href":23,"image":24},"European Awards","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theeuropeanawards.eu\u002Fpremiado\u002Fwolfpack-digital-awarded-in-the-app-development-category","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fwinners\u002Feuropean.svg",{"alt":26,"href":27,"image":28},"Webby Awards","https:\u002F\u002Fwinners.webbyawards.com\u002F2024\u002Fwebsites-and-mobile-sites\u002Fresponsible-technology\u002Fresponsible-ai\u002F275408\u002Fequality-ai-fair-and-unbiased-algorithms-to-eliminate-discrimination-in-machine-learning-models","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fwinners\u002Fwebby.svg",[30,34,38,42],{"alt":31,"href":32,"image":33},"Clutch 1000 List Reveals Top-Rated Business Service Providers of 2023","https:\u002F\u002Fclutch.co\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fclutch-1000-fall-2023","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fclutch.svg",{"alt":35,"href":36,"image":37},"Clutch Recognizes the 1000 Best B2B Service Providers in its Exclusive 2019 Clutch 1000 List","https:\u002F\u002Fclutch.co\u002Fpress-releases\u002Frecognizes-1000-best-b2b-service-providers-its-exclusive-2019-1000-list","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fglobal.svg",{"alt":39,"href":40,"image":41},"Mobile App Daily Award","","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fmobile-app-daily.svg",{"alt":43,"href":44,"image":45},"Manifest Award","https:\u002F\u002Fthemanifest.com\u002Fro\u002Fweb-development\u002Fcompanies","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fawards\u002Fmanifest.svg",[47],{"alt":48,"href":40,"image":49},"Wolfpack Labs","\u002Fimages\u002Fhomepage\u002Fawards\u002Flabs.svg",[51,55,59],{"alt":52,"href":53,"image":54},"ISO 27001 Certification","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.qscert.com\u002Fcs\u002Fissued-certificates\u002F?certID=_7690LD367","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fcertifications\u002Fiso-27001.svg",{"alt":56,"href":57,"image":58},"ISO 9001 Certification","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.qscert.com\u002Fcs\u002Fissued-certificates\u002F?certID=_7690LBDB0","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fcertifications\u002Fiso-9001.svg",{"alt":60,"href":61,"image":62},"ISO 14001 Certification","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.qscert.com\u002Fma\u002Fissued-certificates\u002F?certID=_7690LZSGS","\u002Fimages\u002Fabout-us\u002Fcertifications\u002Fiso-14001.svg",{"default_og_image_urls":64,"default_og_image_alt":68,"og_site_name":68,"og_locale":69,"twitter_site":70,"page_type_defaults":71},[65],{"style":66,"url":67},"og","\u002Fimages\u002Fsocial_share_preview.jpg","Wolfpack Digital","en_US","@DigitalWolfpack",{},["Reactive",73],{"title":74,"body":75,"slug":76,"featured_image_urls":77,"meta_tags":102,"reading_time":110,"title_size":111,"tag_list":112,"formatted_published_at":113,"short_description":114,"categories":115,"alt_text":118,"published_at":119,"content_updated_at":120,"formatted_content_updated_at":121,"key_takeaways":122,"faqs":128,"updated_at":144,"canonical_override":40,"no_index":145,"canonical_url":146,"publishers":147},"The 3 Challenges of Building Web & Mobile IoT Apps and Their Solutions","\u003Cp>Developing web and mobile apps can be very rewarding, especially when you're ready for the hurdles ahead. So it makes sense to arm yourself with all the info you can, plus an experienced development \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fteam\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">team\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, before you set sail. ⛵\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Chances are, you've already spotted a need for your product. That's a problem your IoT app can solve for your business or your customers. Great. But before you \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fdesigning-for-inclusivity-ai-s-role-in-accessibility\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">design\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> or build the app, it's worth mapping the challenges you'll face. They may involve hardware, software, operations, or people.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The appetite for connected tech keeps growing. According to \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fiot-analytics.com\u002Fnumber-connected-iot-devices\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">IoT Analytics\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, there were around 21.1 billion connected IoT devices in 2025. That rises to roughly 21.9 billion in 2026, and could reach about 39 billion by 2030. The global IoT market is now worth well over USD 850 billion. It's on track to pass USD 1 trillion. Adoption is strongest in \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fthe-top-5-internet-of-things-use-cases\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">the most promising IoT use cases\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> — manufacturing, energy, mobility, healthcare, and smart places. And it's still speeding up. 📈\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yet fast growth doesn't make building easier. Many IoT projects still stall before they reach production. The blockers are hardware, security, and scaling — not a lack of demand.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This article digs into why those products get dropped. Then it shows what you can do to learn from them and set yourself up for success.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>1. Hardware & Chip Supply Constraints 🏭\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Hardware is the part of IoT you can't fix in code. The broad, pandemic-era semiconductor shortage of 2020–2023 has eased. But chip supply is far from solved. In 2025–2026, a new, sharper crunch has hit: a severe shortage of memory chips (DRAM and high-bandwidth memory). It's driven by huge demand for AI data-center hardware. 🚫\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Most premium memory now goes to AI infrastructure for the big cloud providers. That leaves other markets — smartphones, consumer electronics, and many IoT devices — fighting over what's left. Prices have surged. Industry leaders expect this memory crunch to last into 2026 and 2027. So component cost and availability are a real planning risk, not a footnote.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>New chip fabrication plants take years to come online. And supply chains stay fragile. Shocks range from export controls to shortages of the electricity, copper, and specialty gases that fabs rely on. So IoT developers still have to design around uncertain supply, not assume it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Hardware constraints hit different industries in different ways. Firms that ship large volumes, like smartwatches, get hit hard when they can't make the numbers they planned. A single IoT healthtech device is different. A wirelessly connected ultrasound scanner can help hundreds of people, and the maker works with smaller inventories anyway. So it's less exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3>Steps to Dealing with Hardware Shortages 💡\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>Component prices may be outside your control. Your Internet of Things software isn't. Put simply, better-planned apps can soften hardware limits. 📖\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Take a step back. Ask what you really need to hit your \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fhow-sustainability-is-changing-business\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">business\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> goals. Often, investing in software efficiency cuts your hardware needs. It's also worth looking at app-centric solutions that deliver the core features your project needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Look at phone cameras. The hardware hasn't changed much, yet photos and videos keep getting better. Why? The image-processing algorithms have improved a lot. The result now rivals professional cameras, at least to the untrained eye. Apply the same idea to IoT: shape the software to fit the hardware, not the other way around.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Smart-home front-door verification is a good example. You can identify a person in many ways: face scan, fingerprint, or voice. Pick the hardware that's easiest to get, then build the software for it. Face scanning may be harder to code than fingerprint reading. But it beats building a fingerprint app with no device to run it on.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fhow-to-optimize-your-ios-project-build-time\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Code efficiency\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> always matters in app development. It matters even more when supply is tight. Here are approaches you can take during development, and after launch too:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Keep app quality high. Use rigorous \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fmanual-testing-vs-automated-testing\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">QA testing\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, both manual and automated. You can refactor software that's already live, but that \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fhow-much-does-web-development-cost-a-complete-guide\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">costs\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> more than doing it right from day one.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Adopt an \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002Fhashmapinc\u002Fthe-what-why-and-how-of-a-microservices-architecture-4179579423a9\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">architecture based on microservices\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Skip bulky functions when APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) get the same result.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Prioritize core features — the ones that shape the user experience most. Decide what's a must and what's optional. That cuts complexity and lets you use simpler, easier-to-find hardware.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Free up computing on the device by sending data to the cloud. For example, trim the code in a mobile app and offload features to a connected web app. The device works less, so you can use cheaper components that are easier to source.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Stay agile and build for the hardware you can actually get. Redesigning app architecture is no small job, so this is mostly a preemptive move. Still, it buys you flexibility, so one out-of-stock part won't stall your business.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>Don't limit yourself to one solution. Every step adds resilience and softens the blow of shortages and market shifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>2. App Security Risks 🗝️\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>The tech industry faces more attacks every year. In early 2025, organisations were hit by about 1,900 cyber attacks per week. That's up roughly 47% year over year. Ransomware alone jumped more than 125%, per \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.checkpoint.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fq1-2025-global-cyber-attack-report-from-check-point-software-an-almost-50-surge-in-cyber-threats-worldwide-with-a-rise-of-126-in-ransomware-attacks\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Check Point Research\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>. 👮\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This challenge is universal. But \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fwhat-is-cybersecurity-at-wolfpack-digital\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">proper cybersecurity\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> should be a top priority in IoT. That's truer as IoT spreads into healthcare, industry, and our homes. The data these devices produce is precious. And a \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fuxui-design-cybersecurity-tips\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">cybersecurity\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> breach can be dangerous. 🛑\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Two examples show how crucial IoT security is:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that cardiac devices from St. Jude \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Cem>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fwhat-is-software-as-medical-device-and-why-it-matters\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Medical\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>, a US equipment maker, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Cem>could be hacked.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> They patched the flaw quickly. But before that, hackers could reach pacemakers and defibrillators through their transmitters. They could drain the battery or deliver wrong pacing or shocks. If exploited, the results could have been dire.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The next one shows why you should change your passwords.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>In October 2016, the internet suffered \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Cem>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2016\u002Foct\u002F26\u002Fddos-attack-dyn-mirai-botnet\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">one of the biggest DDoS attacks\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>. A botnet hijacked an estimated 100,000 IoT devices. It crashed the servers of Dyn, which ran a big part of the internet's domain name system (DNS). The scary part: the virus hunted for IoT devices and tried known default usernames and passwords. Every one of those devices was compromised because no one changed the defaults. Years on, botnets still hunt for weakly secured devices. That's why the basics still matter.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Both incidents were preventable with the right cybersecurity measures. In short, it's an IoT app problem, and attention fixes it. App development is our field, so this is a favorite topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3>Steps to Dealing with Cyberattacks 💡\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>Like any online software that handles sensitive data, IoT must follow current security best practices. That goes for building the app and for using it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We've written guides for securing \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fdeveloping-secure-web-apps-with-ruby-on-rails\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">web apps\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> and \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fwhat-is-mobile-app-security\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">mobile apps\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, so take a look. 👐\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We hope you'll agree: a quality app is a secure app. So make sure your QA team runs security testing. For connected networks and IoT products, authentication and authorization are key to keeping the app safe. Authentication comes in three types:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>One-way authentication. Two devices talk, but only one proves who it is. It's like logging into a server with a username and password. It's the most basic form of security.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Two-way authentication. Same idea, but now both devices prove who they are. That raises security. Wearables often use it — wireless headphones, say, which pair with one device but not always the same one.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Centralized authentication. A central server handles security and connects the two devices. Only that server stores credentials, so you can't steal them from a device.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>One more thing. Various ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certifications show a company meets set requirements. \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fiso27001-security-management-certification\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">ISO 27001\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> is the global standard for data security. Make it one of your criteria when you pick a development team. Wolfpack Digital, for instance, is ISO 27001, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 certified.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The industry also needs standardization. IoT products vary so much that this is hard. Standards do exist, but each one covers only certain IoT apps. Several bodies are working on broader standards. For now, research your options and pick the best fit for your product.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What you need to know to choose the right protocols:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Connected devices communicate in two ways. Over the internet, via an Internet Protocol (IP). Or locally, via short-range, low-power standards like Bluetooth and Zigbee.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The most used IoT standards and protocols are:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>WiFi (Wireless Fidelity). Connects devices by radio signal or WiFi hotspot at set frequencies: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. The 6 GHz band powers \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fwhat-is-wi-fi-6e\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">WiFi 6E\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> and the latest WiFi 7 devices.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network). Like WiFi, it sends data wirelessly. The difference is speed and range: much slower, but far wider. Smart cities use it for lighting, parking, and air and water sensors.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). One of the oldest web protocols. In IoT, it mainly moves large amounts of data. Its high energy cost makes it a poor fit for basic devices.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol). Built to fix HTTP's limits. It can translate data to HTTP when needed, but uses a simpler design. That suits low-power nodes, like sensors in factories.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Bluetooth. A short-range wireless protocol. It's common in wearables that need low power and low cost. It sends small amounts of data over short distances.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>NFC (Near-Field Communication). Rules for sending tiny data packets over very short distances (under 4 cm), one-way or two-way. Contactless pay at a Point of Sale (POS) runs over NFC.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Mesh. A set of protocols that link devices, called nodes, into a network. It usually includes clients, routers, and gateways. Many nodes talk wirelessly, like laptops or phones. But it's not fully wireless, since gateways often use cables for faster data. A mesh can run several protocols, like Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-Wave.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport). It uses wires or cellular networks in a publisher-subscriber model. When the publisher sends a signal, all subscribers get it at once. Its lean, flexible design has made it popular in factories and hospitals.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>Which protocols you use — and how many — depend on the features your web or \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fdeveloping-mobile-apps-with-ruby-myth-or-reality\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">mobile app\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> needs. ⚙️\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>For example, a museum could use several protocols to send info to a visitor's phone. On entry, they get general info like hours or a building map over WiFi. Then Bluetooth, with a range of about 10 meters, shares details on an exhibition. Finally, they tap devices next to an exhibit and learn more via NFC.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>3. Difficulty with Scaling Prototypes 📊\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>A prototype can work and still fail to scale. Turning it into a production-ready product defeats a large share of IoT projects. The high cost of scaling is a big reason why.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This challenge is complex, because it's rarely one issue. It's a pile-up: operational roadblocks, weak trust from investors or leadership, a culture that doesn't fit tech innovation, and poor development calls from a lack of experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Smooth operations take a clear overview and lots of experience, especially when supply chains span continents. You need to know the hardware production and delivery process inside out. That's how you avoid surprise costs and keep your promises to partners and customers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We're a web and mobile app development company, so we'll focus on the software side. But culture, strong communication, and a genuine love of tech are success factors too.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This matches \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnewsroom.cisco.com\u002Fc\u002Fr\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fen\u002Fus\u002Fa\u002Fy2017\u002Fm05\u002Fcisco-survey-reveals-close-to-three-fourths-of-iot-projects-are-failing.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a survey by Cisco\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>. It found that many top success factors for IoT apps are about people, not tech. The most-named factor was collaboration between the business side and the developers, cited by 54% of respondents. 🤝\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The takeaway: when an organization isn't aligned, projects can be abandoned after the plans are set and the money is spent.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3>Steps to Dealing with IoT App Scaling Pains 💡\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp>The first step is to start with a clear strategy. Get leadership, investors, and everyone in development to agree on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We often run \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fbuilding-great-products-about-product-discovery-benefits\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">product discovery workshops\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> with partners at the start, as part of our \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fservices\u002Fbusiness-and-product-strategy\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">business and product strategy\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> work. They iron out key details: the product roadmap, monetization, app features, and user flows.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The tech stack matters too, especially how well it scales. In our experience, native mobile apps are smoother to build and scale than hybrid ones. Native frameworks and SDKs from Apple and Google avoid the limits hybrid apps hit. IoT apps need strong connectivity and peripheral access, so native is usually the better call.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For web apps, we've found \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fwhy-use-ruby-on-rails-for-web-app-development\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ruby on Rails\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> flexible and stable, which keeps scaling simple. The code is also \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fa-quick-guide-to-ruby-rails-version-upgrades\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">developer-friendly\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> and easy to read. That makes it ideal for:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Focusing on \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Funderstanding-business-logic-as-quality-assurance-qa\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">business logic\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> and real goals, not tools or gems\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Adding new features\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Refactoring\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Handing the finished product to an internal dev team\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>This detail helps us help the partner. It's also a great way for the whole company to define the scope, expectations, and motivation for the IoT app. It's a shared dataset to rally everyone behind the product. 🚀\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>For example, a smart wearable for athletic monitoring should start with a clear value proposition. That sets it apart from rivals already on the market. It could offer personalized training tips based on recorded performance. From there, the software team can define user stories and flows that match business goals, for a smoother build.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Next is organizational and cultural fit. It's hard to define, but it shapes the end result:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>The quality and frequency of communication\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Sharing insights and asking the tough questions when needed\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Respecting deadlines and budgets\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Team satisfaction and engagement\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>Take time to research and talk to your future IoT app developers. Get a feel for their values and culture. For outside partners, the \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fabout\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">About\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> page often shows how they see themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Look closely at how they structure their teams. Most agencies mention agile teams, but agile isn't black and white. Firms adopt only the parts that work for them. So dig deeper and learn which parts of Agile they use. Make sure they stay flexible, ship high-quality iterations, and give you clear visibility into progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ideally, you and the development team share a similar culture and structure, and stay in touch throughout the project.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Last is experience with Internet of Things apps. Whether you build an internal team or hire an agency, their \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Findustries\u002Fiot-software-development\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">portfolio\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> is their best business card. Take these three steps before you choose a partner:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Find their profile on a review site like \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclutch.co\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Clutch\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> and read the reviews. Look past the stars and see what past clients actually said. 💬\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Search their portfolio for similar projects. Start with IoT work. Then check the industries too, since a healthcare app differs a lot from an energy one. Software features matter as well — API integration experience, for instance, is useful everywhere.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Ask for details directly. Many firms will share extra data and do the legwork once they understand your product.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>Bonus tip: always ask who owns the intellectual property during and after development. We've seen too many companies stuck in a contract they no longer want because they don't own the IP yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Closing thoughts\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>The Internet of Things market \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fiot-analytics.com\u002Fnumber-connected-iot-devices\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">keeps growing\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong> despite the hurdles, old and new. Connected devices are set to nearly double, from around 21 billion today to roughly 39 billion by 2030. We're glad, because IoT is life-changing in health, transport, \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fhigh-tech-beauty-industry-trends\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">beauty\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, and beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>By laying out three of the biggest challenges, we hope to help you decide carefully and boost your odds of success. There are \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fthe-top-5-internet-of-things-use-cases\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">many uses and benefits of IoT\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>, and we love seeing new ones reach the market!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Looking for an experienced, trustworthy tech partner to help you navigate IoT app development? We'd love to hear about your project and talk about \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fcontact\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">how we can make it happen\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>! 🤝\u003C\u002Fp>","the-3-challenges-of-building-web-mobile-iot-apps-and-their-solutions",[78,81,84,87,90,93,96,99],{"style":79,"url":80},"640","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F640\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"style":82,"url":83},"768","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F768\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"style":85,"url":86},"1024","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1024\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"style":88,"url":89},"1366","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1366\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"style":91,"url":92},"1600","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1600\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"style":94,"url":95},"1920","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1920\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"style":97,"url":98},"thumb","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002Fthumb\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"style":100,"url":101},"original","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F194\u002Ffeatured_image\u002Foriginal\u002FiOT_Landscape%20%281%29.webp",{"title":103,"description":104,"keywords":105,"contact_form:title":106,"contact_form:cta":107,"og:site_name":68,"og:type":108,"og:locale":69,"twitter:card":109,"twitter:site":70,"twitter:creator":70,"og:title":103,"twitter:title":103,"og:description":104,"twitter:description":104},"3 Challenges of Building IoT Apps | Wolfpack Digital","The three biggest challenges of building IoT apps: hardware and chip supply, security, and scaling, plus practical ways to overcome each one.","IoT app development, building IoT apps, IoT challenges, IoT security, IoT protocols, wolfpack digital","contact us","send message","article","summary_large_image","14",32,[],"Jun 2, 2022","Despite its growth, the IoT faces some crucial challenges. These are the top three hurdles IoT apps face and how you could overcome (or sidestep) them. ",[116,117],"mobile-development","web-development","Isometric illustration of a laptop connected to a microscope, representing software research, testing, and detailed analysis.","2022-06-02T14:52:00.000Z","2026-07-06T18:04:24.465Z","Jul 6, 2026",[123,124,125,126,127],"Building IoT apps means planning for three big hurdles: hardware and chip supply constraints, security risks, and the cost and complexity of scaling from prototype to production.","The 2020–2023 chip shortage eased, but a new AI-driven memory-chip shortage in 2025–2026 means component availability and cost are still a real planning risk.","Smart software can offset hardware limits: prioritise core features, lean on microservices and APIs, and offload compute to the cloud so simpler components suffice.","Security is critical for connected devices: attacks keep rising (~1,900\u002Fweek per org in 2025), so use strong authentication, security testing, and standards like ISO 27001.","Scaling success is as much people as tech: a clear product strategy, culture fit, an experienced partner, and clear IP ownership all reduce the risk of failure.",[129,132,135,138,141],{"answer":130,"question":131},"Three stand out: hardware and chip supply constraints, security and privacy risks across connected devices, and the difficulty and cost of scaling a prototype into a production product. Each is best addressed early, in strategy and architecture, rather than after launch.","What are the biggest challenges in building IoT apps?",{"answer":133,"question":134},"The broad 2020–2023 semiconductor shortage has eased, but it has been replaced by a targeted memory-chip (DRAM and high-bandwidth memory) shortage driven by AI data-center demand, expected to persist into 2026–2027. Component availability and cost remain a real planning risk for IoT hardware.","Is the chip shortage over in 2026?",{"answer":136,"question":137},"Optimise the software to fit the hardware, not the other way around: prioritise core features, adopt a microservices and API architecture, offload heavy compute to the cloud, and stay flexible about which components you depend on so a single shortage doesn't stall you.","How can software design offset IoT hardware limitations?",{"answer":139,"question":140},"Follow security best practices in development and use: strong authentication (one-way, two-way, or centralised), security testing by QA, changing default credentials, and standards such as ISO 27001. Authentication and authorization are especially critical for connected devices.","How do you secure an IoT application?",{"answer":142,"question":143},"Common ones include WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, LoRaWAN, HTTP, CoAP, MQTT, and mesh networks such as Zigbee and Z-Wave. The right mix depends on the range, power budget, and data volume your product needs.","Which communication protocols are used in IoT?","2026-07-06T18:04:58.003Z",false,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fthe-3-challenges-of-building-web-mobile-iot-apps-and-their-solutions",[148],{"id":149,"author":150,"short_description":151,"role":152,"avatar_urls":153,"cover_urls":161,"linkedin_link":180,"instagram_link":40,"x_link":40,"meta_tags":181,"last_published_at":185,"same_as":186},9,"Adrian Florian","\u003Cp>Adrian is the Co-CEO of Wolfpack Digital, an award-winning digital product agency with a team of 85+ product designers, developers, and quality engineers serving clients across Europe and beyond. Under his leadership, Wolfpack Digital has achieved ISO certification (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27027:2013, ISO 14001:2015), earned the 2024 Webby Award for Responsible AI, won the European Technology Awards for App Development, and most recently received Web Excellence Awards for products 3D2Cut and LoadHub.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cbr>\u003Cp>With a technical foundation in Ruby on Rails, iOS, and Android development, and business education from Business Academy Aarhus in Denmark, Adrian brings a unique dual perspective to product development—combining hands-on engineering expertise with strategic business thinking. His approach centers on building products that users genuinely value and that evolve into sustainable, scalable businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cbr>\u003Cp>As a three-time startup founder, Adrian has navigated the complete product development lifecycle from initial concept through growth and scale. This firsthand entrepreneurial experience informs his writing on product strategy, technical decision-making, growth tactics, and building high-performing product teams. During his tenure at Wolfpack Digital, the company has partnered with global brands including Sephora, Deezer, Everon, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Transreport, delivering 250+ digital products across fintech, healthtech, greentech, transportation, IoT, and beauty tech sectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cbr>\u003Cp>Adrian is an active contributor to the tech community as a speaker, juror, and host at IT conferences, product workshops, and tech meetups across Europe. He regularly shares insights on balancing speed with quality, making optimal technology decisions under constraints, and building products that achieve the ideal intersection of aesthetics, functionality, stability, and scalability. His work has been featured in Fast Company, TechCrunch, and numerous industry publications.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cbr>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Areas of expertise:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Product strategy, technical leadership, startup growth, mobile and web development, team building, technology decision-making, product-market fit, scalable architecture, business development\u003C\u002Fp>","co-CEO",[154,156,159],{"style":97,"url":155},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Favatar\u002Fthumb\u002Fadrian_-_square.webp",{"style":157,"url":158},"medium","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Favatar\u002Fmedium\u002Fadrian_-_square.webp",{"style":100,"url":160},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Favatar\u002Foriginal\u002Fadrian_-_square.webp",[162,164,166,168,170,172,174,176,178],{"style":79,"url":163},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002F640\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":82,"url":165},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002F768\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":85,"url":167},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002F1024\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":88,"url":169},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002F1366\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":91,"url":171},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002F1600\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":94,"url":173},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002F1920\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":97,"url":175},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002Fthumb\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":157,"url":177},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002Fmedium\u002FAdi.webp",{"style":100,"url":179},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F9\u002Fcover_image\u002Foriginal\u002FAdi.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fadrian-florian-006b6242\u002F",{"title":182,"description":183,"keywords":40,"contact_form:title":106,"contact_form:cta":107,"og:site_name":68,"og:type":184,"og:locale":69,"twitter:card":109,"twitter:site":70,"twitter:creator":70},"Adrian Florian | Co-CEO, Adrian | Tech Leadership & Product Strategy - Wolfpack Digital"," Technical leader with Ruby on Rails, iOS & Android expertise. Co-CEO sharing insights on product development, startup growth, and scaling tech businesses.","website","2026-07-03T14:07:14.000Z",[180]]