Samsung Launches ARTIK Cloud Monetization

In a blog post late last month, Samsung announced a new service for their ARTIK Internet of Things (IoT) platform intended to help IoT device manufacturers adapt to changing business models. The service, named ARTIK Cloud Monetization, aims to bridge the gap between the old “Sell and Forget” device model and the emerging “Connect and Improve” approach.

Back in the ancient world of the early 2000s, if I sold you a device—say, a webcam—it would be both the beginning and the end of the transaction (“Sell and Forget”). Today, as the IoT grows more and more popular, that model just doesn’t cut it. You’d expect some smart bells and whistles, like an app that lets you control the camera remotely, and automatic backup to the Cloud. Unfortunately, these types of features require a continual cost to the developer, as they must maintain the app and pay for the data services (“Connect and Improve”).

ARTIK Cloud Monetization provides a brokering service for IoT device transactions, helping developers sustain the “Connect and Improve” model for their products. Integrated into the ARTIK Cloud Developer Portal, ARTIK Cloud Monetization lets developers define “free” and “premium” tiers for their devices based on the number of data messages the device sends or receives. For example, the first 100 messages per day might be free, after which a one-time payment of $1 will unlock unlimited messages.

The service supports devices connected to the ARTIK Cloud as well as devices using a cloud connecter from another provider, and pricing can be customized for different users. At the end of the day, developers get 70% of the premium revenue, and Samsung takes the rest.

“Samsung is committed to growing the IoT data economy,” said Samsung’s James Stansberry. “Samsung ARTIK Cloud Monetization uniquely positions us to help device manufacturers find new ways to make money from IoT and enable more applications for their customers.”