BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY

Transcription

1 S AS K TEL BUS I NE S S S OLUT I ONS_B OOS T YO U R B U S I NE S S W I TH M 2 M TEC HNO LO G Y BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY JU LY, 201 5

2 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 2 OVERVIEW An increasingly connected world, coupled with the affordability of modern devices, has radically changed the way we do business. On the one hand, it has never been easier to leverage technology to complete tasks, gather data, and automate operations. On the other hand, it is becoming more and more challenging for businesses to keep up with the very technology that is supposed to streamline their processes. As machines communicate more and more, reducing the need for human inputs, businesses could greatly benefit from machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, so that they can remain confidently in control. In this paper, we ll explore what M2M communication is, how businesses can use and benefit from it, and what opportunities businesses will face as they implement it.

3 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 3 WHAT IS MACHINE-TO-MACHINE (M2M) COMMUNICATION?...M2M solutions connect physical objects to the Internet using sensors, transistors, and RFID tags to provide information on the life of products, assets, or even people. Michele Pelino, Forrester Analyst Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication leverages wide-reaching modern technology such as wireless IP networks and the Cloud, allowing machines and devices to communicate directly with one another without the need for human intervention. M2M isn t new. From caller ID to microchips, machine-to-machine communication has been streamlining lives and businesses for decades. Cutting-edge M2M technology can even capture events like temperature, inventory level, or status, then relay and translate this data into meaningful, actionable information - telling a business to order more inventory, or a driver that there s a better route available. And that s just the beginning. The technology s applications are increasingly diverse, flexible, and customizable. M2M can literally be applied to any industry. Here are a few examples:

4 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 4 Examples of Specific Internet of Things (IOT) Applications in Key Industry Segments AGRICULTURE TRANSPORTATION MANUFACTURING Geofencing Remote irrigation and fertilization Livestock monitoring Soil moisture tracking Weather and climate monitoring Grain bin monitoring Precision seeding Telematics Industrial fleet management Proactive monitoring In-vehicle entertainment Vehicle navigation Safety services Remote engine diagnostics Personalized insurance Driver monitoring Supply chain management Asset, cargo, and container management Machine diagnostics Machine telemetry Inventory control Industrial automation control Real-time equipment monitoring UTILITIES HEALTHCARE SECURITY Meter reading Proactive alerts Alarms Smart grid applications Remote building temperature control Home healthcare monitoring Hospital patient monitoring Hospital equipment monitoring Remote telemedicine Remote physician consultation Body sensor monitoring Remote diagnostics Electronic surveillance Video surveillance Video-enhanced industrial security Enterprise security sensor monitoring Security alerts Source: Forrester Research, Inc. 1 in addition to SaskTel internal research 1. Prepare I&O for the Internet of Things, Forrester Research Inc, April 25, 2013 (Report Author: Michele Pelino)

5 S AS K TEL BUS I NE S S S OLUT I ONS_B OOS T YO U R B U S I NE S S W I TH M 2 M TEC HNO LO G Y 6 WHY IS M2M SO IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES? With so many ways to apply M2M, businesses have an unprecendented opportunity to boost efficiency, productivity, and customer service. But if connectivity and controls the nuts and bolts of M2M technology have been around for years, why should businesses jump at the opportunity now? First, it s a cost-effective way to grow their performance. Device costs are declining, meaning that the hardware required for M2M solutions sensors, microprocessors, etc. is more available than ever. Plus, many wireless providers have lowered their monthly fees and expanded their networks, deploying IP networks nationally and internationally. From a budget standpoint, it makes more sense than ever for businesses to adopt M2M technology. Second, businesses can improve their decision-making processes and optimize operational processes with M2M technology. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, sensors, video cameras, global positioning system (GPS) chips, 4G wireless networks, and smart cards can help companies monitor and manage their physical systems to be more efficient.

6 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 7 Third, machine-to-machine communications can open doors to new revenue. With new ways to collect and interpret data, businesses will be able to maximize efficiency, tailor their services, and appeal to a broader range of clientele. What used to be a oneoff purchase is shifting to a service model with automation. Finally, M2M technology is a booming platform for customer engagement. Today, consumers expect to connect with businesses in a big way on platforms such as mobile applications and social media. The more information customers provide to brands, the bigger a return they expect to get. Thankfully, it s never been easier for brands to leverage this data to foster deeper customer engagement and advance the quality of their service. Using M2M technology to minimize failures and optimize performance is just one more way businesses can create value and set themselves apart from the competition. A new era, the age of the customer, brings with it new demands for business performance, aimed at delighting empowered, perpetually connected customers. Frank Gillet, Forrester Analyst WHAT CHALLENGES WILL BUSINESSES FACE? Implementing M2M technology is a big responsibility and businesses will have to keep some things in mind as they move forward:

7 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 8 1. Security. With so many devices connected to one network, businesses will have to consider the risk to their data, customer premises, the Internet, and the enterprise. 2. Fragmented M2M ecosystem. No single company can offer all components, such as infrastructure, devices, applications, partners, etc., within a given M2M ecosystem. Managing all of these diverse components proves challenging for businesses, which need streamlined, end-to-end solutions. 3. Infrastructure. Many new connected devices have been built in proprietary, isolated, manual, or insecure ways, so there aren t necessarily universal standards or protocols for M2M systems. Plus, new demands on network infrastructure to support varied devices and constant data flow means that IT professionals increasingly need complex knowledge and skills to understand the broader network and manage relationships. 4. Information. Not only do businesses have to learn how to manage a huge amount of time-series data that current analytics and infrastructure can t handle, but they will also have to learn what information to gather and how to apply the resulting insights to their objectives and plans. 5. Lack of standardization. Vendors and service providers must regulate platforms to allow for tighter integration between sensors, devices, and other hardware. Providers will need to join forces sometimes with competitors to achieve the integration necessary for seamless M2M coverage. 6. Lack of network ambiguity. National and international coverage aren t always available from a single telecommunications or network (WiFi, wireless, or wireline) provider. Certain networks are available in limited geographic locations, so businesses have to work with more than one provider or risk lacking coverage. In light of these challenges, it s important for businesses to find an M2M partner they can trust and that can grow with them.

8 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 9 MANAGE YOUR DEVICES WITH SASKTEL S M2M MANAGEMENT CENTRE SaskTel has built and owns the best 4G wireless network connectivity in Saskatchewan, so that businesses can transmit data seamlessly and safely. Outside of the province, SaskTel has partnered with other providers to ensure continuous functionality for M2M solutions. Additionally, SaskTel offers an M2M Management Centre, an easy to use, self-serve web application where businesses can manage and monitor their M2M devices. With near real-time and quick, mobile access to their devices, businesses will have all the tools they need at their disposal to optimize their processes. Available 24/7, SaskTel s M2M Management Centre includes the following features: SIM MANAGEMENT REPORTS AND STATISTICS ACCOUNT PROFILE MANAGEMENT In the future, SaskTel plans to expand to other areas of the M2M ecosystem in order to offer end-to-end solutions, network options, and professional services so businesses can pick a solution that will grow alongside them.

9 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 12 As M2M gains ground, businesses will have to find partners they can rely on if they re serious about implementing the new technology. Building connectivity between machines, implementing new solutions, or upping data analytics can be complex, especially in an environment where device manufacturers, app developers, and telecommunications companies work independently. Devices may communicate seamlessly, but that isn t always the case for the companies that power them. That s why SaskTel is committed to being the local, reliable partner businesses can trust. Machine-to-machine communication is more than just a way to automate and optimize: it s the way of the future. As your devices become smarter and more affordable, your business will require less human input to operate. That s why it s essential for businesses to find network providers that can help them implement, manage, and make the most of available M2M technology. CONTACT Let s start a conversation. sasktel.com/business SaskTel Representative SASKTEL Or get in touch with us on Twitter and LinkedIn

10 SASKTEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS_BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH M2M TECHNOLOGY 13 SOURCES 1. Brief: CIOs Will Architect and Operate the Internet of Things, Forrester Research Inc, August 5th 2014 (Report Author: Frank Gillett) 2. M2M Connectivity Helps Telcos Offset Declining Traditional Services, Forrester Research Inc, December 2, 2011 (Report Author: Michele Pelino) 3. Prepare I&O for the Internet of Things, Forrester Research Inc, April 25, 2013 (Report Author: Michele Pelino) 4. Vendors: Prepare for the Rise of Machine to Machine (M2M) Opportunities, Forrester Research, September 21, 2009 (Blog Author: Michele Pelino) 5. CIOs: Drive Internet-of-Things Strategies Forward with Data Protection Practices, Forrester Research Inc., May (Report Author: Enza Iannopollo) 6. Stakeholder interview, Michele Pelino, Forrester Research Inc., May 27, 2015