Software Developer – Fifthplay IoT Platform

Jan 1

Introduction:

""At Fifthplay, an early pioneer in IoT (now known as Niko Home Control), I worked on building an innovative IoT platform that integrated energy measurement devices, thermostats, smart plugs, blinds, HVAC systems, and more. Despite being a startup, Fifthplay tackled complex challenges like modem registration, device pairing, and near-real-time data collection from smart plugs. This data was used for smart detections and real-time analytics to identify unusual behaviors. It was an exciting R&D project that evolved into what is now Niko Home Control."

Challenges:

Developing a scalable IoT platform in an emerging field, with limited cloud adoption and reliance on on-prem solutions.
Implementing modem registration and device pairing workflows for seamless hardware integration.
Collecting and processing near-real-time data from smart devices, enabling actionable insights and analytics.
Balancing the demands of an R&D-focused project within a dynamic startup environment.

Solutions & Contributions:

As part of a small and dynamic team, I played a crucial role in building Fifthplay’s IoT platform. My key contributions included:"

Designing and implementing modem registration and device pairing workflows, ensuring smooth integration of home automation hardware.
Developing systems to collect near-real-time telemetry from smart plugs, enabling real-time analytics and smart behavior detection.
Contributing to a scalable service-oriented architecture (SOA) using RabbitMQ and NServiceBus for reliable communication and data processing.
Building a single-page B2B administration portal using AngularJS and Java , with a focus on clean and user-friendly UI design.
Mentoring and supporting outsourced colleagues, helping align their contributions with the project’s goals.

"This project was not only a technical challenge but also an incredibly fun and rewarding R&D experience, paving the way for the evolution of Niko Home Control."

Results:

Delivered a scalable IoT platform capable of managing real-time data streams and smart analytics for connected devices.
Streamlined device registration and pairing, enabling seamless user experiences.
Designed a B2B portal that improved operator efficiency with an intuitive and accessible UI.
Contributed to an innovative R&D project that laid the groundwork for Niko Home Control.

Key Technologies:

RabbitMQ, NServiceBus, SOA, DDD
AngularJS, Java, Web API (REST)
Git, Jenkins

Reflection:

"Working at Fifthplay was an incredible opportunity to be part of a pioneering IoT project at a time when the field was still in its infancy. Tackling challenges like modem registration, device pairing, and real-time analytics in a startup environment pushed me to grow as a developer. The collaborative and innovative spirit of the team, combined with the technical depth of the project, laid a solid foundation for my career in IoT and scalable systems."