Today I learned that of the seven billion people on Earth, five billion of them have some type of mobile phone. That roughly translates that 70 percent of the people on the planet are carrying a device. That may be close to universal coverage since about 20 percent represents children under 15 and the elderly. 

There are about 10 sensors for every person which equates to 70B. But now comes the tricky part; do all of them need wireless connectivity? The answer is probably not. 

The next question is how many need cellular type service? And the answer I believe comes back to less than 25 percent. After all, many sensors are deployed in a fixed location and alternatives exist that are less costly than wireless. The result is that mobile M2M is a subset of the overall M2M market; that is, until we hit the spots where mobility is a key component.

That portion is logistics and remote asset management, which is our main focus for the first two days of the M2M Conference in Austin, September 13^-15.

Our event is not for the carriers; they are just the beneficiaries. It is for the companies looking to use the wireless network to extend their control over their supply chain, product development and distribution channels.

This is where the tracking needs are based on the value of the asset. A box of potato chips disappears and the RFID is of little value in recovering the stolen property. A box of Flash Memory chips disappears and the recovery is worth every penny of deployment.

You can find the schedule here, but I want to highlight some key ingredients.

First, this event is not focused on the what it takes for the carriers to enable M2M; it’s focused on business needs and how using M2M companies can execute. The role of logistics management gets very specific to an industry and a company very quickly, so we will not have all industries represented in our M2M discussion. However, every logistics manager should find the focus of the event transferable to their specific issues particular if they transport high cost items in part or in aggregate.

Second, the speakers include leading experts that have looked at the value chain and are focused on where the use of M2M is not about the status quo, but the potential for destruction, fraud, and theft. Analysts, associations and insurance companies are rarely gathered to speak so productively to their specific audience, but thanks to Nikki Cuban of On Asset and her support team we are going to highlight where the maximum value in M2M can be achieved.

In all, it’s good to know that the representatives will be from companies such as Compass Intelligence, DHL Global Same Day, Emerging Solutions Group -Sprint, Flemming Cargo Securement, Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert), GSIS Companies, North America's Corridor Coalition, Inc., Ovum, Southwest Airlines Cargo, and TAPA.

I am looking forward to seeing this event even though it looks far; the opportunity to register is near.