As with any product design and development, following traditional design steps are required with the design and development of an IoT application. Developers will need to consider the needs for operational features in both the device and the back end systems. For example, understanding the data needs and the analytics required from the data generated by the IoT application, will help determine what kind of application and database design is required. Developers should also consider the various outsourcing options available – like the traditional software development and contract manufacturing options to develop and build an application. For the new IoT developer, one of the things to consider is that RF and wireless applications are a bit of an art and finding an outsource partner who can help with this can help shorten the time to market. As well, the companies that specialize in the business of hardware design will ensure that the IoT application will be designed for manufacturability and testability. Typically a specialty hardware design firm will not specify a part that is hard to find and will create a design that makes manufacturing as simple as possible. Finding the right contract house or outsource partner can help a developer take a design from idea to implementation more efficiently. If the decision has been made to develop custom products for the IoT application, there are firms that can assist and help to achieve the required certifications as there are myriad requirements and governing agencies around the world that will require certification for the IoT device and application.