IoT

Working with its sister companies GAO Tek Inc., GAO RFID Inc., and partners, GAO Research Inc. has developed cloud systems, on-premises systems, cloud software, on-premises software, and hardware devices for IoT. It comprises a diverse range of products, including IoT development boards, IoT sensors, actuators, communication modules, IoT gateways, IoT controllers, network emulators/simulators, power management devices, test fixtures and jig, environmental chambers, debugging and analysis tools, security testing tools, and simulated IoT devices. Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of interconnected devices embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies, enabling them to collect and exchange data over the Internet. Our devices can range from everyday objects like home appliances and wearable devices to industrial machinery and vehicles. At its core, our IoT solutions enable devices to communicate with each other and with central systems, facilitating the exchange of data and the automation of processes. This interconnectedness allows for the creation of smart environments where devices can monitor their surroundings, make decisions, and take actions autonomously.

Our IoT technology typically involves three main components:

Devices: These are physical objects equipped with sensors, actuators, and communication interfaces that enable them to collect data from their environment, process it, and communicate with other devices or central systems.

Connectivity: IoT devices use wireless and wired communication technologies to connect to the internet and exchange data. This includes technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, cellular, and LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network).

Data Processing and Analysis: The data collected by our IoT devices is typically processed, analyzed, and stored in the cloud or at the network’s edge. Advanced analytics techniques, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, are often used to derive insights from IoT data and enable intelligent decision-making.

GAO Tek’s IoT, also called, the Internet of Everything (IoE), Web of Things (WoT), Industrial Internet, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Ubiquitous Computing, Ambient Intelligence, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), Embedded Internet, Smart Technologies have the following applications:

Smart Homes: GAO Tek’s IoT enables homeowners to automate and remotely control various aspects of their homes, including lighting, thermostats, security cameras, door locks, and appliances. Smart home devices enhance convenience, energy efficiency, and security.
Industrial Automation: In industrial settings, our IoT facilitates automation and optimization of processes by using sensors, actuators, and connected machinery. Industrial IoT (IIoT) improves operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and asset management, leading to cost savings and productivity gains.
Healthcare: IoT applications in healthcare include remote patient monitoring, wearable devices for health tracking, smart medical devices, and hospital asset tracking. Our IoT solutions enable healthcare providers to deliver personalized care, improve patient outcomes, and optimize resource utilization.
Smart Cities: GAO Tek’s IoT technologies are used to create smart city infrastructure for managing resources, improving public safety, and enhancing quality of life. Applications include smart transportation systems, intelligent traffic management, waste management, environmental monitoring, and smart street lighting.
Agriculture: Our IoT solutions in agriculture, known as AgTech, help farmers monitor crops, soil conditions, and livestock remotely. IoT sensors provide real-time data on moisture levels, temperature, and crop health, enabling precision farming, water conservation, and crop optimization.
Retail: Our IoT is transforming the retail industry by enabling personalized shopping experiences, inventory management, and supply chain optimization. Applications include smart shelves, beacon technology for location-based marketing, and customer behavior analytics.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Our IoT enables real-time tracking and monitoring of goods, vehicles, and assets throughout the supply chain. Applications include fleet management, inventory tracking, predictive maintenance, and logistics optimization, leading to improved efficiency and cost savings.
Energy Management: GAO Tek’s IoT technology helps monitor and control energy consumption in buildings, factories, and utilities. Smart meters, energy-efficient devices, and demand-response systems enable better energy management, cost reduction, and sustainability.
Environmental Monitoring: Our IoT sensors are deployed for environmental monitoring of air quality, water quality, pollution levels, and weather conditions. Real-time data collection and analysis support environmental conservation efforts and early warning systems for natural disasters.
Wearable Technology: Our IoT-enabled wearable devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and medical wearables, monitor users’ health metrics, activity levels, and vital signs. Wearable technology promotes wellness, enables remote patient monitoring, and supports preventive healthcare initiatives.

Cloud solutions for IoT

GAO Tek’s Cloud solutions for IoT enable businesses to leverage the power of the cloud to manage, analyze, and derive insights from vast amounts of data generated by connected devices. Our solutions offer a range of services tailored to IoT requirements, including device management, data ingestion, real-time analytics, and integration with other cloud services.

Key features of our cloud solutions for IoT include:

Device Management: Provisioning, configuring, and managing IoT devices at scale, including software updates, security patches, and remote troubleshooting.
Data Ingestion: Collecting data from IoT devices securely and reliably, supporting various protocols and formats, and handling high volumes of streaming data.
Data Storage: Storing IoT data in scalable and durable storage services, including options for time-series data, unstructured data, and archival storage.
Data Processing: Analyzing IoT data in real-time or batch mode, applying machine learning algorithms, and extracting actionable insights to drive business decisions.
Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect IoT devices, data, and communications, including device authentication, data encryption, and access control.
Integration: Integrating IoT data with other cloud services such as AI/ML, big data analytics, and business applications to unlock new use cases and drive innovation.
Scalability: Scaling resources up or down dynamically to accommodate changing workloads and accommodate growing numbers of IoT devices and data streams.
Reliability: Ensuring high availability and fault tolerance of IoT services to minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation of IoT applications.

Depending on the customer’s requirements, GAO Tek’s Cloud solutions for IoT can be integrated into any one of the following IoT platforms:

AWS IoT Core
Microsoft Azure IoT Hub
Google Cloud IoT Core
IBM Watson IoT Platform
ThingWorx Platform
Cisco Kinetic for Cities
Bosch IoT Suite
Siemens MindSphere
Losant IoT Platform
Particle IoT Platform

On-premises systems for IoT

GAO Tek’s On-premises systems for IoT empower organizations to deploy IoT infrastructure within their premises, offering greater control over data security, compliance, and customization. Our systems provide the capability to manage, process, and analyze data from connected devices locally, without relying on external cloud services.

Key features of our on-premises IoT systems include:

Data Privacy and Security: By keeping data within the organization’s infrastructure, GAO Tek’s on-premises IoT systems help address privacy concerns and ensure sensitive data remains secure.
Compliance: Our On-premises solutions allow organizations to maintain compliance with industry regulations and data protection laws, as data is stored and processed within jurisdictional boundaries.
Customization: We help organizations have the flexibility to customize and tailor IoT solutions to their specific requirements, integrating with existing IT systems and workflows seamlessly.
Low Latency: With data processing occurring locally, our on-premises IoT systems offer low latency and real-time responsiveness, critical for time-sensitive applications.
Edge Computing: Our on-premises systems often incorporate edge computing capabilities, enabling data processing and analytics to be performed closer to the data source, reducing bandwidth usage and enabling faster insights.
Scalability: GAO Tek’s on-premises IoT solutions can scale to support growing numbers of connected devices and data volumes, with options for expanding hardware resources as needed.
Integration: Our systems provide integration with other on-premises software and infrastructure, such as enterprise applications, databases, and industrial control systems, enabling seamless data exchange and workflow automation.
High Availability: Our on-premises IoT systems can be designed with redundant components and failover mechanisms to ensure high availability and minimize downtime.

Cloud Software for IoT

GAO Tek’s Cloud software utilizing IoT refers to applications and platforms that combine cloud computing with Internet of Things (IoT) technology to enable the seamless integration and management of connected devices and sensors. This integration allows for the collection, processing, and analysis of data generated by IoT devices in real time, leveraging the scalability, flexibility, and computational power of cloud infrastructure.

Key features of our cloud software utilizing IoT include:

Data Collection and Processing: Our cloud software collects data from IoT devices deployed in various environments, such as industrial machinery, smart homes, or wearable devices. This data is then processed and analyzed in the cloud to derive actionable insights.
Remote Monitoring and Control: Users can remotely monitor and control IoT devices through GAO Tek’s cloud-based dashboards and applications. This capability enables real-time tracking of device status, performance metrics, and operational parameters.
Scalability and Flexibility: Our Cloud infrastructure provides scalability to accommodate large-scale IoT deployments and fluctuating data volumes. It also offers flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and integrate with other cloud services and applications.
Data Analytics and Machine Learning: Our cloud software utilizes advanced analytics techniques, including machine learning and predictive analytics, to derive valuable insights from IoT data. These insights help optimize operations, improve efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making.
Security and Privacy: Robust security measures, such as encryption, authentication, and access control, are implemented to protect IoT data transmitted to and stored in the cloud. Privacy considerations are addressed to ensure compliance with regulations and standards.
Integration with Other Systems: Cloud software can integrate with existing enterprise systems, such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or CRM (Customer Relationship Management), enabling seamless data exchange and workflow automation.

On-premises software for IoT

GAO Tek’s On-premises software for IoT refers to a set of applications and systems that are installed and operated within an organization’s physical infrastructure rather than being hosted on external servers or in the cloud. This type of software is designed to manage and process data generated by Internet of Things (IoT) devices deployed within the organization’s premises, such as factories, warehouses, or offices.

Key features of our on-premises software for IoT include:

Local Data Processing: GAO Tek’s on-premises software processes and analyzes data generated by IoT devices directly within the organization’s infrastructure. This approach minimizes latency and ensures that sensitive data remains within the organization’s control.
Device Management: Our on-premises IoT software provides tools for managing and monitoring connected devices deployed on-site. This includes tasks such as device provisioning, configuration, firmware updates, and remote troubleshooting.
Data Storage and Retrieval: Our on-premises solutions typically include local databases or data storage systems for storing IoT data. This allows organizations to retain full control over their data and ensures compliance with data privacy regulations and security policies.
Integration with Existing Systems: Our on-premises IoT software can integrate with other on-premises systems and enterprise applications, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software. This integration enables seamless data exchange and interoperability across different parts of the organization’s infrastructure.
Security and Compliance: GAO Tek’s on-premises solutions offer greater control over security measures and compliance requirements compared to cloud-based alternatives. Organizations can implement custom security protocols, encryption standards, and access controls to protect IoT data and ensure regulatory compliance.
Customization and Control: Our on-premises software allows organizations to customize and tailor the solution to meet their specific needs and requirements. This includes the ability to develop bespoke applications, workflows, and analytics algorithms tailored to the organization’s unique use cases and business objectives.
Offline Operation: Our on-premises software is designed to operate independently of external network connectivity, allowing organizations to continue collecting, processing, and analyzing IoT data even in environments with limited or intermittent internet access.

Hardware Devices for IoT

GAO Tek’s Hardware devices for IoT encompass a diverse range of components and devices designed to enable connectivity, sensing, processing, and actuation in IoT applications. Here are some key categories of our hardware devices for IoT:

Microcontrollers (MCUs): Our micro controllers are small, low-power integrated circuits that serve as the brains of IoT devices. MCUs typically include a processor, memory, input/output peripherals, and communication interfaces, allowing them to execute instructions and control connected sensors and actuators.
Sensors: GAO Tek’s IoT devices use sensors to detect and measure various physical properties of the environment, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, motion, light, and proximity. Common types of sensors used in IoT applications include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and proximity sensors.
Actuators: Our actuators are devices that convert electrical signals into physical actions, allowing IoT devices to interact with the physical world. Examples of actuators used in IoT applications include motors, solenoids, relays, servos, and valves, which can be used to control movement, switch on/off devices, or regulate fluid flow.
Communication Modules: These modules enable IoT devices to communicate wirelessly with other devices and networks. Common communication technologies used in IoT applications include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRaWAN, cellular (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G), and RFID. Our communication modules typically include transceivers, antennas, and protocol stacks for wireless communication.
Gateways: GAO Tek’s gateways are devices that serve as intermediaries between IoT devices and cloud services or other networks. Our gateways aggregate data from multiple devices, perform local processing and filtering, and transmit the data to the cloud or other back-end systems. Our gateways may also provide additional functionality such as security, protocol translation, and edge computing capabilities.
Development Boards: These are pre-built hardware platforms that include an MCU, sensors, actuators, and communication interfaces, along with software development tools and libraries. Our development boards are commonly used for prototyping and developing IoT applications, allowing developers to quickly build and test new IoT devices and solutions.
Edge Computing Devices: Our edge computing devices are deployed at the edge of the network, closer to IoT devices, to perform data processing, analytics, and decision-making locally. GAO Tek’s edge computing helps reduce latency, bandwidth usage, and reliance on cloud services, making it ideal for real-time or latency-sensitive IoT applications.
Power Supplies: GAO Tek’s power supplies provide electrical power to IoT devices, ensuring continuous operation and functionality. Our power supply options for IoT devices include batteries, power adapters, energy harvesting devices (e.g., solar panels), and power over Ethernet (PoE) for devices connected to Ethernet networks.

Complying with Government Regulations

GAO Tek’s IoT solutions comply with or help our clients comply with U.S. regulations such as

Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guidelines on IoT Security
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Guidelines on Medical Device Cybersecurity
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules on Radiofrequency Devices
Department of Transportation (DOT) Guidelines on Connected Vehicle Security
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Guidelines on IoT Product Safety
Energy Policy Act (EPA) Regulations on Smart Grid Cybersecurity

GAO Tek’s IoT solutions comply with or help our clients comply with Canadian regulations such as

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) Guidelines on IoT Privacy
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Rules on Telecommunications Security
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Regulations on Spectrum Management for IoT Devices
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) Guidelines on IoT Security
Health Canada Regulations on IoT Medical Devices
Transport Canada Guidelines on Connected Vehicle Safety and Security
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Rules on IoT in the Food Industry
Standards Council of Canada (SCC) Guidelines on IoT Standards and Certification

Case studies of IoT in the US and Canada

Here are some practical examples of using our IoT in the US and Canada:

Smart Cities Initiatives: Cities like Chicago, New York, and San Francisco have implemented GAO Tek’s IoT technologies for various purposes including traffic management, waste management, and public safety.
Precision Agriculture: Companies like John Deere have integrated our IoT devices into their agricultural machinery to monitor crop health, optimize planting and harvesting schedules, and conserve resources like water and fertilizer.
Healthcare Monitoring: Hospitals and healthcare providers across the US have adopted our IoT devices for patient monitoring, asset tracking, and inventory management to improve efficiency and patient care.
Supply Chain Optimization: Companies like Walmart and UPS utilize GAO Tek’s IoT sensors and tracking devices to monitor the movement of goods throughout the supply chain, reducing costs and improving delivery times.
Smart Home Solutions: Companies like Nest (owned by Google) and Ring (owned by Amazon) provide our IoT-enabled smart home devices for home security, energy management, and appliance control.
Smart Grids: Utilities like Toronto Hydro have implemented our IoT technologies to create smart grids that improve energy distribution, monitor power usage, and reduce outages.
IoT in Mining: Companies like Teck Resources in British Columbia have deployed our IoT sensors in their mines to monitor equipment performance, enhance safety measures, and optimize production processes.
Smart Buildings: Real estate developers in cities like Toronto and Vancouver are incorporating GAO Tek’s IoT devices into commercial and residential buildings to monitor energy usage, improve building efficiency, and enhance tenant comfort.
Remote Monitoring in Healthcare: Remote communities in Canada, particularly in the northern regions, use GAO Tek’s IoT-enabled medical devices for remote patient monitoring and telehealth consultations to improve access to healthcare services.
Connected Vehicles: Canadian automotive companies like Blackberry QNX are deploying our IoT solutions for connected vehicles, including vehicle-to-vehicle communication, autonomous driving features, and fleet management systems.

Meeting Customers’ Demands

Large Choice of Products

To satisfy the diversified needs of their corporate customers, GAO Tek Inc. and its sister company GAO RFID Inc. together offer a wide choice of testing and measurement devices, network products, RFID, BLE, IoT, and drones.

Fast Delivery

To shorten the delivery to our customers, GAO has maintained a large stock of its products and can ship overnight within the continental U.S. and Canada from the nearest warehouse.

Local to Our Customers

We are located in both the U.S. and Canada. We travel to customers’ premises if necessary. Hence, we provide very strong local support to our customers in North America, particularly the U.S., and Canada. Furthermore, we have built partnerships with some integrators, consulting firms, and other service providers in different cities to further strengthen our services.

Below are some of GAO’s partners or customers in the U.S. and Canada:

Apple Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc. (Google), Facebook, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Exxon Mobil Corporation, Walmart Inc., Visa Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., Bank of America Corp., Mastercard Incorporated, AT&T Inc., UnitedHealth Group Inc., Intel Corporation, Chevron Corporation, Verizon Communications Inc., Pfizer Inc., Home Depot, Inc., Coca-Cola Company, Walt Disney Company, Adobe Inc., Netflix Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Salesforce.com, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, PepsiCo, Inc., IBM (International Business Machines), 3M Company, Boeing Company, Honeywell International Inc., McDonald’s Corporation, Amgen Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., NVIDIA Corporation, Texas Instruments Inc., Caterpillar Inc., Accenture plc, General Electric Company (GE), Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, General Motors Company (GM), Nike, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Morgan Stanley, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, Shopify Inc., Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Canadian National Railway Company, Enbridge Inc., Brookfield Asset Management Inc., BCE Inc. (Bell Canada Enterprises), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Suncor Energy Inc., Manulife Financial Corporation, TC Energy Corporation, Magna International Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Brookfield Renewable Partners LP, Nutrien Ltd., Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, Telus Corporation, Power Corporation of Canada, Restaurant Brands International Inc., Loblaw Companies Limited, Bank of Montreal, Thomson Reuters Corporation, Sun Life Financial Inc., Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Barrick Gold Corporation, Imperial Oil Limited, Franco-Nevada Corporation, National Bank of Canada, Cenovus Energy Inc., Hydro One Limited, Dollarama Inc., Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, Teck Resources Limited, Canadian Tire Corporation Limited, Kinross Gold Corporation, Waste Connections, Inc., Gildan Activewear Inc., Yamana Gold Inc., Air Canada, Husky Energy Inc., Fortis Inc., Emera Incorporated, First Quantum Minerals Ltd., CGI Inc., Inter Pipeline Ltd., Shaw Communications Inc., Vermilion Energy Inc., CAE Inc.