aircannonsinc Chapter 97 Flywheel
Chapter 97 Flywheel
A week later, the second version of the SDK was launched as scheduled.
Ma Hao truly solved three core issues within a week. The documentation expanded from twenty pages to eighty pages, with at least three sample codes for each interface. The automatic device discovery function was launched, enabling sensor recognition within three seconds of plugging in, without requiring any manual parameter configuration. The online debugging platform was also completed, allowing developers to view data streams and device status in real time within a browser.
Zuo Cheng tried out the online debugging platform; the interface was simple and intuitive, and the data refresh was smooth. Ma Hao was indeed capable; his execution was no less than that of the old team. He extracted the core logic of the edge scheduling system and turned it into a universal component, which could be connected to any device with one click.
"Since the second version of the SDK was launched, developer activity has tripled," Han Lu reported at the weekly meeting. "The number of registered developers has increased from 400 to 1,200, with 30 to 50 new developers joining every day. Twenty-three applications are already online and running, covering industrial monitoring, smart home, and agricultural IoT."
"Twenty-three applications?" Zhang Lei was somewhat surprised. "We've only been open for a month."
"This is the flywheel effect," Zuo Cheng said. "The more apps there are, the more developers are willing to join. The more developers there are, the more apps there are. It's a positive cycle."
"But there's a problem," Han Lu turned a page of the report, "Most developers are working on small-scale applications, small projects with only a few dozen devices. Nobody's doing large-scale projects."
"Because large-scale applications require stronger technical support and lower costs," Zuo Cheng said. "We're currently offering it for free, so developers don't need to pay, but supporting large-scale applications would drastically increase server and bandwidth costs."
"How do you determine the pricing model?" Chen Hao asked.
"Basic functions are free, advanced functions are paid." Zuo Cheng drew a tiered diagram on the whiteboard. "The first 1,000 API calls per month are free; subsequent calls are charged per call. The first 100 devices connected are free; subsequent devices are charged per device. Basic technical support is free; dedicated technical consultants are charged monthly."
Han Lu thought for a moment: "This pricing strategy is good; it won't scare away small developers, and large clients are willing to pay for value-added services. But I suggest adding an enterprise version, an annual fee plan, which includes unlimited API calls and dedicated technical support. Many traditional enterprises don't like pay-as-you-go pricing; they prefer annual fees."
"Okay, add the enterprise version. You set the price and submit it to me for approval."
After the meeting, Zuo Cheng returned to his office and opened the system panel. The technology radar had cooled down. He glanced around to make sure he was alone in the office.
He activated the technology radar.
Pale blue scanning ripples radiated outwards from the center of the panel, covering a 30-meter radius around the office. Several points of light appeared on the panel, but they were all employees of 402; there was no particularly noteworthy technology worth replicating.
Five points were consumed, and the number on the panel jumped slightly. Zuo Cheng glanced around; there were no new technologies that piqued his interest, so this scan was a waste of time.
However, he noticed a detail: the branch of the Internet of Things seemed to have one more leaf, increasing from twelve to thirteen. The growth acceleration effect gained after completing the last important node had worn off, but this branch seemed to have entered a stage of autonomous growth.
Zuo Cheng clicked on the new leaf and saw that its name was "Edge Computing Resource Scheduling". This leaf was not obtained by him through scanning or fusion, but rather it grew naturally from the branches of the Internet of Things.
The technology tree is growing. As 402 continues to penetrate the field of IoT, new leaves will automatically grow from the branches to match the technological needs. Zuo Cheng had only vaguely sensed this mechanism before, but this is the first time he has clearly confirmed it.
He kept this discovery to himself, without making any records. The secrets of the technology tree were known only to him. But he knew in his heart that the new leaf of edge computing resource scheduling had arrived just in time, adding another layer of protection to the concurrent processing capabilities of the open platform.
In the afternoon, Lin Yuan came again. This time he wasn't alone; he brought two partners with him.
"Mr. Zuo, our industrial monitoring application has already connected to fifty devices," Lin Yuan said excitedly. "The client is an auto parts factory, and they want to connect the entire production line, which would be about two hundred devices."
"Two hundred units?" Zuo Cheng's interest was piqued. "That's a considerable amount of data."
"Therefore, I need your enterprise version service," Lin Yuan said. "Also, we'd like to sign a cooperation agreement with 402 to become your preferred partner in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) field."
Zuo Cheng glanced at Han Lu. Han Lu nodded slightly, indicating that the commercial terms were open to discussion.
"A cooperation agreement can be signed, but there's one condition," Zuo Cheng said. "For every project you work on, you must provide us with the technical solutions. It's not about copying you, but about turning the pitfalls you've encountered into platform capabilities so that future developers won't have to repeat them."
Lin Yuan thought for a moment: "This is a good thing. We've certainly encountered quite a few pitfalls, and if it can help other developers, we'd be more than happy to."
"Then it's settled. Han Lu, you draft the cooperation agreement."
After Lin Yuan left, Han Lu said, "Brother Cheng, did you notice? Lin Yuan and his team created a commercial-grade application using only our platform, and the client was willing to pay for it. This proves that our platform model works."
"It's not just that it's feasible; the flywheel is already spinning," Zuo Cheng said. "Lin Yuan's industrial monitoring is a benchmark, and there will be more Lin Yuans emerging. Each person focuses on a specific niche, and together they form a complete IoT ecosystem."
Han Lu's eyes lit up: "So we don't need to develop all the applications ourselves, we can just let the developers do it?"
"Yes. 402 provides the platform and infrastructure, while developers create applications and solutions. We profit from connectivity, and they profit from the scenarios. That's the essence of the platform model."
Zuo Cheng picked up his phone and sent Yu Ying a message: "Kongkong, we've signed our first partner. It's in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sector."
Yu Ying replied instantly: "Congratulations! Celebrating tonight?"
"Tonight won't work; I have a meeting with Star Technology tomorrow. How about the day after?"
"Okay, take care and get some rest."
Zuo Cheng put down his phone. He had been waiting for this meeting with Xingchen Technology. The combination of brain-computer interfaces and the Internet of Things was a very advanced field, but coming from Xingchen Technology, it didn't sound like mere empty talk.
He needed to figure out exactly how much Star Technology knew. Those people probably knew far more about him and 402 than he imagined.