By Anton Le Saux, Head of Connectivity and Partner Sales at O2 Telefonica UK: As more businesses start to discuss M2M technology, improved employee productivity and reduced operational expenses are moving up the agenda. But where's the truth in all this talk?
Every day, a new M2M technology has the potential to transform business. Although all industries stand to benefit from M2M, it's in global manufacturing, construction, engineering and agriculture that we're seeing the biggest changes today. Businesses can now track cargo and vehicles, and monitor and eliminate inefficiencies in processes, service programmes and technology.
As businesses automate reporting and get more intelligence, they gain insight into what needs doing and when it needs to be done. They can then deploy the right skills to the right place at the right time. So 'just in time' production becomes 'just in time' servicing, repair and control.
M2M technology can integrate and automate any number of physical assets in locations around the globe: Low cost cloud-based data storage, global roaming SIMs, the availability of guaranteed local pricing for data roaming agreements, web-based interfaces that allow precise control of data plans and SIM deployment - these all combine to create highly controllable and scalable opportunities for all businesses, no matter how big or small.
Intelligent devices can improve processes and resource management. And contrary to fears, with security apps and systems improving all the time, M2M can add another layer of safety and security to businesses, their people and their assets. Although still in its infancy, M2M is starting to revolutionise the way we work. At O2, we believe now is the time to invest.
(anton.lesaux@telefonica.com - partnersdigital.telefonica.com)