It’s no secret that innovative M2M technologies and applications are helping businesses to expand while simultaneously driving productivity.  Right now, in conjunction with ITEXPO (News - Alert) East 2012, currently underway in Miami, Fla. until February 3, the M2M Evolution, a not-to-miss event, is being held to show companies how better to leverage these solutions to see continuous success.

Recently, TMC’s (News - Alert) CEO Rich Tehrani had the opportunity to speak with Joseph Biron, vice president of technology and innovation at Axeda Corporation about all things M2M. For the full interview, see below.

1.         M2M is like the story of the blind monks and the elephant… so many pieces.  How do you explain M2M to your family and customers? 

I tell them that I help to build a software platform that makes it possible and easy to enhance our lives and businesses by remotely interacting with devices through the Internet.

2.       How often does it feel like the same audience? What needs to be done to shorten the newcomers’ learning curve?

First, for those that are in the software or IT industry, we need M2M to be considered a computing paradigm, on par with "client-server," "Web architecture" of the past and "cloud computing" of today. For that to happen, we'll likely need to ditch the machine-to-machine terminology, since that term does not capture the breadth and social impact that connected things will bring to business and everyday lives.

Secondly, for those who are outside the technology intelligentsia, I like the way one of our Axeda (News - Alert) Innovationeers once put it: "Putting a network cable or radio on something makes it able to ‘talk.’ Our platform makes it ‘sing.’"

3.       We often talk about platforms in M2M. Does this mean we are developing a core of attributes common to every M2M strategy?

Everything is a platform in computing today. It seems that "apps" are relegated to small icons that show up on a smartphone; anything that's not one of those is a platform.  So some of this is positioning and using the lingo-du-jour. That being the case, platform vendors need to qualify what part of the M2M value chain they serve. Is it an M2M device provisioning and management platform (typically white-labeled through the MNOs)? Or is at an M2M application platform like Axeda or Thingworx?

4.       Our focus in Miami is on medical and smart grid; what other M2M verticals are important for your company and should be considered for future M2M events?

We keep seeing telematics needs. This vertical is by no means "shored up." The traditional track-and-trace and logistics dominates the space, but new challenges from usage-based insurance and non-traditional fleet management solutions need to extend beyond "dots on a map." We are also seeing much activity in vending and kiosks. 

5.       Often our lessons are generational based on our children and the millenials now entering the workforce.  What is the impact of these new users and what is their relevance to M2M?

They aren't in front of a desktop PC all day. The ways they interact with their world are through touch-points that connect them instantly to people, systems and things. The latter is where our industry can make a difference, but only if approached holistically, keeping the people and systems in mind.

Some concrete examples: if you want an M2M application to tell someone that their car alarm is going off 10 blocks away, SMS them. Don't give them a desktop app or heavy Web app that they need to check. If you want a vending machine to tell someone that their favorite candy bar has just been restocked, write on their Facebook (News - Alert) wall. These social network streams are far more ubiquitous and relevant than the traditional modes of human-computer-interfaces. 

In general, we need to focus on the experience with the product or environment, not necessarily on building screens with buttons and icons.

6.       Why is M2M Evolution a must-attend communications event?

This is an event where the true pioneers and innovators of the industry are evolving their services, learning from each other, sharing experience in the trenches, and plotting to change the world – to bring that "experience of things" to every business and every life.

Want to learn more about M2M technologies? Then be sure to check out the M2M Evolution Conference, collocated with TMC’s ITEXPO East 2012happening now from Jan. 31-Feb. 3 2012, in Miami, FL. The M2M Evolution Conference is for industry professionals interested in capitalizing on a rapidly growing segment of the telecom industry. The M2M Evolution Conference embraces the any-to-any strategy of the Internet today. Co-sponsored by TMC Partner Crossfire Media, it showcases the solutions, and examines the data strategies and technological requirements that enterprises and carriers need to capitalize on a market segment that is estimated to grow to $300 Billion in the year ahead. For more information on registering for the M2M Evolution Conference click here.

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