The Story Behind Favoriot – Part VI

The Evolution of Favoriot from B2C to B2B and Global Reach

When we first launched the Favoriot IoT platform, we envisioned it as a B2C service.

The idea was simple – create a platform that anyone, from students to hobbyists, could use to build IoT applications.

By targeting individuals, we could generate widespread interest and slowly build a community around our platform. I remember thinking, “If we can get people talking about Favoriot, the rest will follow.”

With that mindset, we set out to promote the platform. Social media was the obvious choice. Everyone was on Facebook, YouTube was the go-to for tutorials, and newer platforms like TikTok were quickly gaining popularity.

So, we took the plunge. I took charge of the promotion, using my social media channels to spread the word. I posted on Facebook, made videos for YouTube, wrote blog posts, and even tried my hand at TikTok.

It was exciting to see the initial reactions. People were interested and curious about what Favoriot could do.

But as the weeks went by, I started to feel uneasy. Sure, there were some engagements—likes, shares, comments—but they weren’t translating into actual usage of the platform. I kept asking myself, “Why isn’t this working? What are we missing?”

I realized that while social media was great for generating buzz, it wasn’t enough to convince people to take the next step.

I needed something more tangible to tell people about Favoriot and show them how it could be valuable.

That’s when the idea of writing an eBook came to me. I’ve always enjoyed writing, so why not use that skill to create something that could educate people about IoT and subtly introduce them to Favoriot simultaneously?

So, I got to work. The eBook wasn’t just about the technical aspects of IoT; it was about the broader picture – how IoT transforms industries, what it means for the future, and where Favoriot fits into this. Throughout the book, I weaved in information about the Favoriot platform, highlighting its features and how it could help users in their IoT projects.

Once the eBook was ready, we decided to offer it for free. Getting the book into as many hands as possible would naturally lead to more people trying out the platform.

And it worked. The eBook started getting downloaded, not just locally, but internationally. I was amazed to see the download statistics – people worldwide had downloaded the book!

I remember sitting at my desk, looking at the numbers, and thinking, “This is it. This is the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.”

But with this new wave of international interest came a new set of challenges. The platform was designed for a general audience, but now we have users worldwide, each with unique needs.

We started receiving feedback from users who wanted more advanced features, better scalability, and the ability to use the platform in a more professional setting. It was clear that the B2C model had its limitations.

Around this time, we began exploring pivoting to a B2B model. The thought of shifting our focus was daunting, but I knew it was something we had to consider seriously.

We had to evolve if we wanted Favoriot to grow and thrive. I spent many sleepless nights pondering over the decision. “Is this the right move? What if it doesn’t work out?”

Eventually, after much deliberation and discussion with the team, we decided to go for it. We introduced a B2B model where the Favoriot platform could be installed on-premise or on a private cloud.

This shift allowed us to cater to System Integrators – companies that needed a robust IoT platform to develop complex projects, manage high data transmissions, and ensure that all data was securely stored within their infrastructure.

Another critical decision was the introduction of the “perpetual” license. Unlike traditional subscription models, which required customers to pay recurring fees, this license was a one-time purchase.

It provided lifetime access to the platform, making it a more cost-effective option for long-term projects. I remember thinking, “This could be a game-changer.” Our customers' cost savings were substantial, allowing them to offer end-to-end IoT solutions more quickly and at a lower cost.

This shift to B2B opened up new revenue streams for Favoriot and solidified our position in the market.

We addressed a significant pain point in the industry by providing a reliable and scalable platform that didn’t require customers to build their own IoT infrastructure from scratch.

Developing an IoT platform is no small feat—it requires time, money, and expertise many companies lack. By offering Favoriot as a ready-made solution, we were able to fill that gap.

Since 2017, the Favoriot IoT platform has undergone many changes. What started as a simple B2C platform has evolved into a versatile solution catering to individual developers and large enterprises.

Along the way, we’ve achieved some significant milestones. One of my proudest moments was when Favoriot received MOSTI's MySTI certification, officially marking it as a Malaysian local product.

This recognition validated our efforts and positioned Favoriot as a credible and reliable IoT platform on a national level.

Looking back, I can see how far we’ve come. The journey hasn’t been easy, and there were moments when I doubted whether we would ever get to this point.

But through perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to listen to our users, we’ve built something we can be proud of.

But the story doesn’t end here. There are still many challenges ahead, primarily as we work to penetrate the Malaysian market further.

In Part VII, I’ll share more about those challenges and how we plan to overcome them.

The road ahead is long, but I’m confident that with the lessons we’ve learned and the team we have, Favoriot will continue to grow and make an impact in the IoT industry.

So, I'd like you to stay tuned. The journey of Favoriot is far from over, and I’m excited to see where it will take us next.