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The connected world places excruciating demands on efficiencies, costs and of course, functionalities. What is it that will enable IoT to be more within reach for everyday use as well as an enterprise support as a technology enabler?
No longer pure technology, IoT is rapidly becoming a way of life. Offering the freedom to connect and access any data from virtually anywhere, real time. Most enterprises realise the opportunity this provides for their growth and ability to get a better market appreciation. On the strength of IoT, a newer paradigm has been pushed to fore- the concept of Machine 2 Machine.
Till now considered just an adage to the massively useful IoT, M2M is in fact an extremely efficient standalone technology. We know now that it is even more so in conjuncture with IoT. Till now, it stood for just about anything that allowed two remote (or proximal) devices to connect- even your remote calling out to the car is M2M. Essentially, it was a jumble of sensors, machines, thermostats, modems and well…devices. The flow was fairly simple.
But with IoT, M2M has literally blossomed.
It is interesting to note the relationship between these two concepts. On the one hand, these two concepts seem totally different- M2M has been about isolated systems that connect through sensors and telemetry (as in healthcare), while IoT endeavours to bring together disparate systems on a single platform, to be able to view strengths, weaknesses, risks and usage patterns, on the same platform.
But IoT enriches M2M by giving a one view of a heterogeneous collection of situations and data, this technology provides complete transparency for all functions, throwing up invaluable data about usage and other aspects.
How does M2M then stand up with IoT to add even more value? Experts agree that essentially, M2M is essentially very similar to IoT, albeit operating in a much larger canvas. IoT, beyond enabling single platform communication between devices, can also encompass the latest technology aids like Big Data, best in class security, a ubiquitous presence and of course, human interactivity. And all of this could be wrapped up in one single objective- business value. While a lot of technology research and investment has gone into getting the M2M concept up and running, it may be finally the emergence and popularizing of IoT that will enable M2M achieve more get the RoI dollars for enterprises. Viewed as an over reaching band connecting M2M installations, it will justify everything M2M was ever expected o do for our enterprise. This connectivity will, on one hand, add immense value to enterprise operations, and on the other hand, leave enough space for customising apps according to business objectives.
It would seem that IoT and M2M share a perfect marriage- that lends strengths as well leaves space for growth and more benefit.