Creating Products
The first step when creating connected devices with the Builder is to define the product (device) that you wish to manage. In this process:
- Specify the product name.
- Provide a description of the product.
- Select the device agent software you wish to embed in your product.
- Choose the scope of the license you wish to purchase.
If you have been invited to an existing account, the list of products may already have defined products.
Product Definitions
Product definitions are created in the Builder for each device type that you wish to deploy and manage. The product definition describes your product, the device agent you wish to deploy, and its license scope.
A product definition includes:
- Product name
- Description
- Selected Device Agent
- License scope
Multiple Product Definitions
You can create one or more product definitions to best describe the (many) devices you offer.
If you are using the Ioto device agent, you should create a different product definition for each device type that will require different firmware. When you configure over-the-air software updates for your devices, it is helpful to be able to target different products with the appropriate firmware.
If you are using Appweb or GoAhead, you will create a product definition for each product, product family or business line. In this case, there is no logistical advantage to having multiple product definitions.
Product Name
The product name is a unique, one-line, descriptive name of your choosing.
Product Description
This description is for your records and for licensing scopes. Please fully and uniquely describe your product. (Can be multiple sentences).
Device Agent
When defining your product, you can select to embed one of three device agents:
- Ioto Device Agent
- GoAhead Web Server
- Appweb Web Server
We recommend choosing the Ioto cloud agent for all new devices, even if they are not connected to the cloud, as Ioto has the most efficient and secure embedded web server. Please read the Web Server Comparison for details.
The Ioto agent includes our most advanced embedded web server. It is a fraction the size of comparable embedded web servers (including our own) and it boast impressive throughput and efficiency scores.
Our Appweb and GoAhead web servers are provided for existing customers who have embedded these web servers in existing product designs.
Multiple Definitions
For each product that utilizes EmbedThis software, you should create a distinct product entry.
When using OTA software upgrades, each product can have a unique firmware configuration. So you will want to configure a different Ioto product definition for each device that requires a different firmware image.
For Appweb and GoAhead based devices, you should create a product definition for each product described in your Embedthis license agreement. This may have already been created for you. If you require assistance, please contact support@embedthis.com.
Creating New Products
To configure a new product, select the Add Product button from the product list. This will display the slide out product panel.
Enter a unique product name and accurate product description. Then select the relevant EmbedThis licensed product you wish to embed. Choose from:
- Ioto Cloud Agent
- GoAhead Web Server
- Appweb Web Server
Depending on the licensed product, you will have different subscription options.
Ioto Products
The Ioto service will automatically meter devices as they are manufactured. This involves the Ioto device agent sending a single request during creation to the Builder service.
This is an automated process and it relieves you of the burden of counting and estimating device unit volumes. This is the default and we strongly recommend you using the Automated Metering option.
Alternatively, if you are using Ioto and for some reason cannot use the automated metering, you need to explicitly enter and maintain the Manufactured Device Volume. This is the cumulative number of devices that you have manufactured using Ioto, or will manufacture during the month's billing period.
Ioto is billed monthly at the end of the month based on the number of devices manufactured during the month. Ioto subscriptions are calculated on a sliding scale where the price decreases the more devices you deploy. The price is < $0.30 when making more than 1,000 devices per month.
So that you can evaluate Ioto without cost, your first device is free. Thereafter, you need to maintain a billing card for the subscription plan.
Appweb / GoAhead Products
For Appweb and GoAhead customers, your device agent licenses are based on a license scope. There are three volume limited licenses and three unlimited volume licenses.
The licenses are:
- Evaluation
- Volume Limited 10
- Volume Limited 100
- Volume Limited 500
- Single Product
- Family of Products
- Business Line
The Evaluation license provides a limited version of the software for you to complete your evaluation. This software is not suitable for production. It will not contain the latest upgrades or security fixes. However, it is ideal for evaluating Appweb or GoAhead.
The volume limited licenses are restricted to a lifetime maximum manufactured device volume of 10, 100 or 500 devices.
The unlimited license offerings are scoped to the number of products that include the device agent software and offer unlimited device volumes within that scope.
The Single Product license is limited to a single product and its direct product replacements. This license provides unlimited device unit volume. Multiple model numbers are permitted, provided the models vary only in branding, appearance, packaging or scale and not otherwise in functionality.
The Product Family license is limited to related products that share the same functional purpose and have the same public product family name.
The Business Line license permits multiple Product Families within a single business unit and single market segment.
While your Appweb / GoAhead subscription is active, you can include the agent software in your products. You may access and apply security updates and upgrades for new and existing devices.
For Appweb/GoAhead licenses, you are billed either monthly or yearly in advance.