Rigado launched an integrated edge-as-a-service platform targeted at the Internet of Things (IoT). It uses a unique monthly subscription model. This allows customers to focus on consumer-facing applications and not have to worry about the infrastructure.

The new Cascade platform includes a physical ARM-based gateway with various short-range connectivity options like Bluetooth, Zigbee, and W-Fi; a security sytem that automates updates; a management and orchestration dashboard for network monitoring; and a containerized operating system based on Canonical’s Ubuntu Core running the Snaps application packaging system.

Kevin Tate, chief revenue officer at Rigado, said the packaged approach bolsters security because Rigado can provide each device with a secure ID and encryption key from the point of manufacturing. Those credentials are then exclusive to that device and the customer. So when the gateway is powered up, the platform automatically knows all of the security requirements needed.

The Ubuntu Core also helps with security at initial set up, and updates are handled in a containerized environment.

“The Snap architecture is in the container, and those Snaps can only talk to other Snaps,” Tate said.

The Cascade package begins at $9 per month and includes a single gateway device and all of the platform tools and service.

“It’s really a whole package,” Tate said. “We were watching people being challenged by the technology and wanted to solve that problem to make it as easy as possible.”

Rigado got its start in 2010, mostly focused on low-powered wireless products in the consumer and wearables market. Tate explained that by 2015, the firm started to see the low-powered wireless technology being adopted into the commercial IoT space with services like asset tracking, smart lighting, and monitoring tools inside of hotels and restaurants.

“We saw that campuses needed edge gateways to connect to those low-powered wireless devices for local control on local applications that could then link to the cloud, either their own or to the public cloud,” Tate said.

But, those companies were often forced to take on those projects themselves, which ultimately ended up with them having to run and maintain a network instead of just focusing on applications.

“They really don’t want to have to run these networks, as that is not core to the consumer-facing services they offer,” Tate said. “We figured we could offer all of that back-end and support for a monthly fee, and they could just focus on the applications that generate revenues.”

Rigado currently works with more than 300 customers around the world and has more than 5 million devices connected to its platform.

Previews of the integrated Cascade platform began this week, with general availability set for June 15. Tate said that the company will add a 4G LTE connection option this summer that will add increased deployment flexibility for customers.