We have been researching integration of M2M data with enterprise IT recently and the longer term implications of that. Today sees the publication of findings from our recent work with Oracle. Entitled “Designing an M2M Platform for the Connected World”, it assesses M2M solution requirements now and in the future. It identifies integration of M2M with IT as the second most important priority for most M2M solution requirements right now, only eclipsed by the need for end-to-end security – the subject of my last blog (see this link).
The research found that M2M data is increasingly being used more broadly for strategic purposes and value creation throughout the enterprise. Also, that it has become a means for creating new market opportunities while providing a competitive advantage for enterprise users in their own key markets. The research is based on a qualitative survey involving in-depth interviews with prominent M2M solution providers in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions, each providing their expert views on M2M solution requirements and trends across their customer base and live projects. That research was then backed by previously conducted quantitative surveys involving broader samples of M2M adopters.
The Oracle report is available for free download at this link.
In addition to this, I would also draw your attention to an interesting survey published late last week by Axeda (www.axeda.com), which I also wrote the introduction for. The survey is available from a link on Axeda’s home page and is also identified in the Oracle report.
Respondents to the Axeda survey were delegates to Axeda’s recent Connexion conference in Cambridge, MA, in June, where I moderated a very interactive panel session. We would categorize these as being at the leading edge among adopters of M2M technology, primarily in the Medical, Industrial and related High Tech areas. The remote assets and devices they connect in their M2M solutions tend to be large and static, are typically in constant use and any downtime is expensive – in particular the loss of critical services such as in Industrial processes or in the Medical sector.
Both of these reports provide new thinking, with the first building on the second and identifying two underlying trends in the M2M/Internet of Things space. With all the hype surrounding M2M and Internet of Things, we think these two trends will prove increasingly fundamental over the next few years.