Middleware for Internet distribution in the context of cloud computing and the Internet of Things

To address the challenges for middleware emanating from the advent of the Internet of Things and cloud com- puting, new research is required, particularly with respect to the types of middleware needed to support key domains, such as cyber-physical systems, smart cities, the smart grid, big data analytics, digital earth, and so on. This special issue addresses these challenges by (i) considering the state- of-the-art of middleware in these areas, (ii) documenting emerging ideas and concepts that help meet key challenges, (iii) increasing awareness of a grand challenge for dis- tributed system, and (iv) galvanizing the community of researchers around this challenge