Betaas
BETaaS [bē’tas] is an FP7 STREP project co-funded by the European Commission under the ICT theme (Call 8) of DG CONNECT.
In BETaaS a platform will be developed for the execution of M2M applications built on top of services deployed in a “local cloud” of gateways. Scalability, security, dependability, context- and resource-awareness, and QoS will be embedded “by design” into the platform. Validation will be done through experiments targeting the Smart City and Home Automation use cases.
Concept
To overcome the limitations of the current systems for M2M applications, we propose a novel approach based on the following principles: 1. Storage and processing of data are as close as possible, in space and time, to where they are generated and consumed. 2. Important non-functional requirements, namely security, reliability and QoS, are supported by means of a tight integration of the high-level services provided with the physical resources of the peripheral devices, i.e., things and gateways. 3. Energy efficiency and scalability of the systems are achieved through the distribution of on-the-spot inferred content, rather than raw data. These principles will be realized by defining a content-centric platform distributed over a local cloud, hosted by the gateways, providing an environment for applications accessing M2M services and devices through a set of services. Its deployment will be dynamic so as to follow the time-varying M2M services and the changing characteristics of the applications.
Project goal
To design and realize a runtime platform for the deployment and execution of content-centric M2M applications, which relies on a local cloud of gateways. The proposed platform will provide a uniform interface and services to map content (information) with things (resources) in a context-aware fashion. Deployment of services for the execution of applications will be dynamic and will take into account the computational resources of the low-end physical devices used. To this aim, the platform will need to be based on a suitable defined IoT model, which will allow the integration of the BETaaS components within the future Internet environment.
Our role
Converge has already a significant portfolio of projects and applications that involve the home automation, intelligent home services and overall implementation of middleware that acts as supporting to the Internet of Things concept. More specifically, Converge owns a proprietary platform, i.e. ECOSYSTEM, which can provide advanced BMS services. Ecosystem is a complete automation and monitoring solution, allowing extremely broad control over every aspect of a home or business environment. It is fault tolerant, friendly, safe, very scalable, and very flexible.
Converge aims to exploit the BETaaS end product in gaining significant know-how and expertise in the deployment of an enhanced platform and service portfolio.
Moreover, Converge is going to exploit the project in the consulting activities, and enrich its R&D activities to further contribute to the designed products and services. Converge aims to exploit the results that will derive from the Internet of Things and Internet of Content concepts and include it in its product and services portfolio for building and facility management systems.
Roadmap
Converge plans to exploit the project results in the building management and automation industry. It is a significant market ranging over 5 B€ in the European area. Moreover, it plans to establish synergies with Middle East countries where construction and land development activities can provide good opportunities.
During the BETaaS project, Converge engineers will be involved in the development of the BETaaS platform, while in parallel there should be an internal project to provide a new version of ECOSYSTEM platform. When the project is finished and the BETaaS platform is validated, ECOSYSTEM should be finalized and enter the beta-testing period. More accurate timeplan will be available at the end of the second year of BETaaS project.
