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Comtech notice growing GPRS M2M momentum at the M2M Expo Europe |
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NewsreleaseDate:
2004-11-10
This year has seen continued growing momentum in the Machine to Machine (M2M) market with increased numbers of conferences and forums dedicated to this emerging market. October 26th-28th 2004 saw the European Machine-to-Machine M2M Expo in Brussels following on from the succesful event held in Dallas during April 2004, where device enabling technologies was a particular focus.
Sony Ericsson had a strong presence as a Gold sponsor where Anders Franzén, Corporate VP for Sony Ericsson's M2M com business unit delivered a keynote speech discussing wireless enablement at both device and mobile user levels. Recognising that device enablement is an element of the complete solution, Sony Ericsson invited Comtech Holdings an M2M Solution Provider to demonstrate and present enabling solutions at the end-to-end system level.
Comtech Holdings were present on Sony Ericssons Expo stand and jointly presented in the "Enabling M2M Solutions Session".
Key elements of the end-to-end system include:
* Device enablement - intelligent connectivity of machines to the network and end-to-end system
* The Network - a conduit to connect remote machines and central management systems.
* Middleware - communication level management to route and buffer data between remote machines and central management applications
* Management Applications - standalone or enterprise applications for managing the network of remote machines autonomously.
As a result, M2M solution providers often build broad alliances and focus in vertical market applications to build the complete solution. However, Comtech Holdings have adopted a broader approach by enabling OEM's and Systems Integrators to build end-to-end systems across many diverse markets.
Many presentations and background discussions were centred on partnerships. Interestingly, two types of discussions were apparent: -
1. Complete solutions - where solution providers are looking to migrate further up the value chain to deliver a more complete solution to their customers.
2. Core focus - where solution providers had already developed the end-to-end system out of necessity for their customers, but would prefer to focus in specific core areas such as the application and associated services.
The key challenge appeared to be resolving if companies were really competitors or ideal partners. It will be interesting to see how partnerships evolve following on from this event.
Wireless Operators attended the conference with strong presence from both Vodafone and Orange discussing the role of the Operator within M2M. Orange favouring an active role within the value chain through M2M Connect middleware and partnerships with GSM/GPRS module suppliers. Whilst Vodafone prefer to focus on "the plumbing" and delivering network services suited to M2M at the appropriate lower data tariffs. Interestingly, Jeremy Flynn Head of Commercial Partnerships, Vodafone, commented that the GPRS network was the network of choice for M2M applications.
In addition to the technology discussions and presentations, necessary focus was also provided on the business case for adoption. Robin Duke-Woolley, E-principles, a leading ICT analyst, commented that delays in adoption were as a result of lengthy trial phases to prove the Return on Investment (ROI) and business case. He mentioned that M2M projects are likely to succeed if an ROI can be achieved within 6-months. However, projects were susceptible to failure if the ROI extended beyond 18-months.
Martyn Leman, Comtech's Business Development Manager presented during the business models track led by Glen Allmendinger from Harbor Research. Solution Providers such as Comtech have created M2M solutions suited to rapid deployment where it is important for companies to prove business models and technology fast. Having proven the business case and technology, costs can be reduced and the design optimised through higher integration over time. The key to success is for companies to identify the core problems where a simple solution holds the most value. This enables all the stakeholders including internal management and end customers to understand the benefits and support large-scale deployment beyond the initial trials.
There are many compelling business cases for adoption from simple warning of alarm conditions through to autonomous integration with enterprise systems for highly efficient operations. However, the consensus from all the M2M industry commentators such as e-principles and Harbor Research is that the greatest value of M2M comes through service. In essence, changing the fundamental way in which companies do business from traditional product sales to on-going service. An example is to migrate to leasing products by wrapping up maintenance into the product offering and charge on a subscription basis.
The true potential for M2M is largely yet to be realised, as companies move from simple device enablement through to service.
During his key note speech in describing IT as the "new utility", John Baekelmans Director, Cisco drew analogies with Henry Ford, who is reported to have said
"If I had asked them what they want, they would have said faster horses"
This is true for M2M, where the landscape of many industries will be changed forever, with the greatest benefits going to those early adopters that realise the visions that M2M enables.
About Comtech Holdings Ltd:
Comtech Holdings Ltd., www.comtechM2M.com , Bolton, UK, provide scalable Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions from simple modems through to end-to-end systems. Comtech offer a "one-stop shop" including hardware, software and services enabling connectivity to remote equipment, to obtain and facilitate business decisions based on real-time information. Comtech's solutions are suited to many diverse markets including HVAC, Gaming, Vending, Security, Utilities, Industrial Automation, Transportation, Retail Equipment, Office Business Systems ... and many more.
Contacts
Steve Whitehead
Comtech Holdings Ltd, Comtech House, 28 Manchester Road, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL5 3QJ, UK
Web: www.comtechM2M.com , Email: sales@comtechM2M.com , Tel: +44 (0) 1942 851800, Fax: +44 (0) 1942 851808 |
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