Understanding the Internet of Things with Fluidmesh Networks

Understanding the Internet of Things with Fluidmesh Networks

It’s one of the big buzz words alive in the media today: the Internet of Things (IoT). To me, it seems to have a mysterious connotation to it, but when I attended the Fluidmesh Networks press conference at ISC West this year, Umberto Malesci, CEO and co-founder of the company, replaced this “mystery” with clarity and excitement of what is to come with the future of IoT.

Breaking down the term IoT into manageable thinking, Malesci explained that the Internet of Things is basically making our devices intelligent by connecting them so that they can communicate. Makes sense. I can see my smartphone, for example, being wirelessly connected to my coffeepot. I use my smartphone as my alarm clock, and when it goes off, my smartphone could communicate to my coffee pot to brew my morning cup of java juice! Instant gratification for getting up when my alarm goes off! (But, I digress. Back to Fluidmesh and Malesci.)

I found out that wirelessly connecting devices is what Fluidmesh does best. You see, over the past 10 years, this company has sold and installed approximately 24,000 miles of wireless links. That’s enough wireless connections to go around the whole world, and they’re not stopping there. Their next goal is to total 162,000 miles of wireless links – enough to go the distance from Earth to the moon. Sounds like a pretty lofty goal, but with Fluidmesh’s 10 years of experience, I’d say it’s more than doable.

Now that I had a working definition of IoT in my mind, Malesci took it one step further. He wanted to make sure the audience understood exactly what IoT does, so he created making “sense” of IoT:

Sensing – leverages sensors attached to things.

Efficient – adds intelligence to manual processes.

Networked – connects objects to the network. Sensors must be connected and communicating with each other.

Specialized – customizes technology and processes to specific vertical; each specific application that creates value is vertical specific.

Everywhere – deployed pervasively.

Okay, got it. IoT leverages sensors that are attached to things to make manual processes intelligent. The sensors must all be connected and communicating with each other; hence, they create a network. Each connected technology can be customized to fit into a specific vertical and it can be deployed virtually everywhere. Wow! This IoT stuff isn’t too difficult!

So, with a working definition and an understanding of exactly what IoT does, Malesci gave a couple of real world examples in which Fluidmesh is being an enabler of IoT. In cities across the world including Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC; Vancover, BC; Milan, Italy and Birmingham, UK, Fluidmesh wireless sensors connect video cameras for security applications, making each of these places an integral part of the smart cities movement. In addition, via a single wireless network, Fluidmesh connected the Royal Navy’s radios to provide a way to transmit audio across a large area, making their public addressing system more efficient and powerful.

In the days to come, it is estimated that 28 billion devices will be connected and Fluidmesh’s main goal is to be an enabler of IoT when it comes to these devices.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

  • Report: Cyber Attackers Continue to Turn to AI-Based Tools to Avoid Detection

    Comcast Business recently released its 2025 Cybersecurity Threat Report, a comprehensive analysis of 34.6 billion cybersecurity events detected between June 1,2024 and May 31, 2025. Now in its third year, the report offers business leaders a unique perspective into the evolving threat landscape and provides actionable insights to help organizations strengthen their defenses and align cybersecurity with business risk. Read Now

  • Axis Communications Creates AI-powered Video Surveillance Orchestra

    What if cameras could not only see the world, but interpret it—and respond like orchestra musicians reading sheet music: instantly, precisely, and in perfect harmony? That’s what global network technology leader Axis Communications set to find out. Read Now

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.