Cisco and SAS build Internet of Things research lab in Sydney

SAS, Cisco and the University of Technology Sydney have teamed up on an Internet of Things (IoT) centric project.

Together, the group have created the UTS-SAS-Cisco IoT Innovation Lab, a facility that will take a 'three-tier' approach to IoT research by utilising SAS analytics, Cisco hardware and software and UTS' expertise in data engineering.

The lab will operate on the Cisco SAS Edge-to-Enterprise IoT Analytics Platform which combines SAS' event stream processing, Cisco's networking edge and data center infrastructure technologies and UTS's analytics expertise.

The aim of the lab is to explore how the huge volumes of data generated by massive numbers of IoT devices and sensors can be gathered, stored and analysed to help businesses improve decision-making and meet new IoT challenges.

Early research will be in the areas of advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and healthcare.

SAS vice president for Australia and New Zealand, David Bowie, comments: "SAS has a long history of support for the education sector and we are delighted to be involved with UTS in this exciting initiative.

"The value of edge data is at its greatest when analysed in transit, and this is what our trailblazing global partnership with Cisco makes possible.

An immediate practical application for the Lab will involve the University's Faculty of Engineering and IT.

Data generated by the more than 3,000 IoT sensors throughout the Faculty's building and the Microgrid – which opened in 2014 - will be analysed in real time for energy conservation and cost reduction.

From the Faculty of Engineering and IT, and director of UTS-SAS-Cisco IoT Innovation Lab, Dr Gengfa Fang says the IoT Innovation Lab will be an exciting local and global IoT hub, where IoT innovation will deliver positive technological impacts on the environment, society, people, governments and industries.

"The volume of data already being generated will only increase but its value to society can only be fully realised if we are able to use it productively.

From Cisco Australia and New Zealand, education general manager, Reg Johnson, says Cisco is investing, together with the University sector, to accelerate short term innovation and help develop Australia's capability in solving large complex industry problems.

"This exciting project with UTS is a leading-edge research and innovation initiative that is looking to make the energy sector more sustainable by creating a 'Real time Internet of Things (IoT) Energy Brokerage.'

Johnson concludes, "The initiative is the first global deployment utilising the Cisco and SAS Edge-To-Enterprise IoT Analytics Platform, which is underpinned by the Cisco Kinetic IoT Data Fabric.