A Method for Model-Driven IoT Application Development

There is still a lack of approaches to easily help users cope with the complex and challenging tasks related to Internet of Things (IoT) application development. The absence of standardized procedures and the complexity and heterogeneity of the IoT landscape are perceived as the main challenges. To address the complexity of IoT application development, Model-Driven Development (MDD) has emerged as an effective technique. By means of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), we provide an overview of the current state of research in MDD for IoT applications. It shows that current approaches often neglect the role of organizational factors. This paper presents a method for MDD of IoT applications that considers both the stated challenges and organizational integration. The method includes a Domain-Specific Modeling Language (DSML) and several functionalities that assist in the modeling and development processes. This eliminates the necessity for any particular IT expertise at the application level. An industrial use case in the field of air conditioning facilities where the method has been implemented is described. Requirements for the methodological and technical support for IoT development were derived from a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) during the development process.