@dexter12 Our application is remote pump management in Australia. Currently using raspberry PIs with usb cell modems. The PI has full python & is a nice platform but usb modem choices are limited. The built in modem on the gpy is a nice idea but the limited repertoire of micropython makes code porting a pain but worth it to have another string to the bow.

@panometric Depends what "large numbers" is. For say 100 you're probably be using the development modules (WiPy, LoPy..) , in that case flash over USB is perfectly doable. You can connect multiple expansion boards to a USB hub and flash in parallel, we have a script for that. For larger deployments you're probably using the OEM modules (W01, L01 etc) in the case we recommend having programming pins available. All you need to program is power, UART TX/RX and two pins to control Reset and GPIO0 (P2)

@seb Thanks. Shall keep looking out for updates on this. Talking of encryption, the biggest risk is the username/password ( or other credentials stored on the device which allow it to post data to the server ). If this information can be protected, part of the battle is won.

@misterlisty The LoPy (more specifically the L01 OEM module which is meant for production) is already used in a range of commercial products, for example: Victron Energy: https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/ve-direct-lorawan (background: https://pycom.io/great-minds-think-alike/) Tenna: https://pycom.io/modern-asset-tracking/ Safe Water: https://pycom.io/temperature-sensing-for-legionella-control-showcase-mwca17/ All these started as a LoPy prototype as @bmarkus said and then were developed/tuned for commercial use using the L01 OEM production module. The scale-up process from LoPy prototype to product using OEM modules is something Pycom cares a lot about and looking to simplify. But even now it's already happening.