The Internet of Things is growing all the time, and an upgraded platform by ThingWorx aims to make all of those connected devices work together more smoothly than ever before.

ThingWorx Platform 5.0 is the latest edition of the ThingWorx software, which was one of the first platforms designed for running connected devices for the Internet of Things. Version 5.0 introduces a rapid application development platform to ThingWorx, an upgrade that should make it faster and easier for developers to produce useful devices and apps.

A recent IDC report estimated that by 2020, there will be 30 billion IoT devices in use around the world. Those kinds of device sales will generate revenue in excess of $8.9 billion, according to the report. With the world building toward those numbers every day, developers need the ability to deploy devices and apps quickly, ones that are easy to use, and that can take full advantage of what IoT can do.

Bhavesh Patel of ASCO Power Technologies speculates that the most growth will occur in markets including home automation, medical devices, wearables, vehicles, data centers and other kinds of facility management. Unfortunately, Patel argues, "Sensors capture the presence of an individual. However, the information is not analyzed and the benefits of the data are not maximized."

Developers need the ability to optimize all the data they're capturing. ThingWorx 5.0 hopes to improve developer productivity and features a "unique federated server deployment option" that allows for a wide range of deployment options. Devs can choose to deploy via the cloud, on-site, hybrid, or simply on-device. ThingWorx claims "millions of devices" can be managed with version 5.0 of its platform.

The upgrade also includes the company's patented "AlwaysOn Protocol," a standard for efficient and secure communications that ensures low latency bi-directional communications, minimized power consumption and bandwidth, and reduced costs. ThingWorx provides SDKs for every major programming language, including Java, .NET, C, iOS, and Android.

"We are excited to launch the ThingWorx Application Platform v5.0," says Russ Fadel, president of ThingWorx.

"ThingWorx is already recognized as the standard for IoT developer productivity. This latest release of the platform establishes a new standard for deployability and makes it easier for companies to optimize for performance, autonomy, cost, and privacy. ThingWorx continues to help companies unlock the power of the IoT by enabling them to generate business value through apps that offer insight into real-time data of a product's performance."