FreeWave Technologies Unveils WavePoint, a Fast, Flexible and Secure Wireless Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Platform for Industry and Government

WavePoint enables private, industrial wireless networking with a low cost of ownership and ultra-fast throughput to support oil and gas, utilities, government and defense, and more.
FreeWave Technologies, an innovator in industrial-grade, secure M2M wireless networking solutions, today announced WavePoint™; a versatile high speed wireless networking platform that securely communicates industrial data over long distances to enable M2M, broadband and SCADA applications. Customers can now leverage the cost-effective and easy-to-deploy WavePoint solution and achieve greater productivity by extending broadband connectivity to remote locations, from one unified and secure platform. WavePoint is designed to meet the specific challenges of integrating difficult-to-reach field locations by providing powerful wireless IP routing capabilities combined with the choice of frequencies and network deployment capabilities to suit any application scenario. WavePoint can support any network infrastructure, enable remote video access, empower multiple Ethernet and serial devices simultaneously, eliminate (or consolidate) telecom access circuits (T-1/E-1 and DS3) and device integration is truly “plug-and-play.”
“The WavePoint product portfolio is purpose built for the growing data needs of our customers and provides an economical, easy-to-deploy, fast, secure and flexible platform that addresses a wide range of applications with a quick ROI,” explainedAshish Sharma, CMO of FreeWave Technologies.
“With the ability to combine multiple frequency bands, along with wireless IP routing and support for a wide variety of industrial SCADA protocols, management services, and flexible network design elements within one cohesive solution, WavePoint is able to meet the broad range of networking and communications needs of today’s expanding enterprise.”
For more than 20 years, FreeWave has delivered the most reliable and secure narrowband long range communication solutions based upon its knowledge and experience in challenging Radio Frequency (RF) environments. WavePoint is the next-generation of FreeWave’s wireless solutions to provide customers with a variety of network configuration options and support for up to four wireless OFDM broadband modules per unit, operating in the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ISM and U-NII bands and options for 3G and Wi-Fi operations.
Since a single WavePoint platform enables multi-purpose communications and can operate in multiple frequencies, customers can easily integrate it with existing Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN) and more, thus protecting their existing network infrastructure investments. But WavePoint isn’t just fast and flexible, it’s also highly secure. The platform defends against unauthorized access using security protocols based on Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). It complies with today’s IT-centric security policies and its cutting edge broadband wireless functionality combined with enterprise-grade IP networking technology can easily extend the corporate IT network to remote and difficult to reach locations.
With WavePoint, organizations can deploy several essential network elements, such as wired network access, cellular network backhaul, local area communications, high speed backbone communications, Wi-Fi Hotspot access, and mobile mesh networking – all through a single platform. This not only provides the ability to enable data-intensive applications over long distances, but allows organizations to empower field personnel and smart devices through wireless access to back office systems, streamline the integration of new equipment into existing infrastructures and drastically simplify overall networking integration and deployments.
“The underlying force behind M2M and our increasingly connected world is the communications technologies that bring it all together,” explained Sam Lucero, senior principal analyst at IHS.
“Mobility, productivity and connecting geographically distributed resources provides a strong case for wireless as a strategic business tool for the future.”
For more information about FreeWave and its new WavePoint platform, please visit http://www.freewave.com.
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Synapse Wireless Joins new M2M Trade Group, Connects Machines to the Cloud and More

The International M2M Council announced that its newest sustaining member is Synapse Wireless,  a  leader in developing proven, scalable M2M connectivity solutions based on their award-winning SNAP® wireless mesh technology.
The (Huntsville, AL) US-based company delivers comprehensive solutions that provide game-changing analytics to businesses looking to implement wireless capabilities, making it a good fit for the IMC, a new trade association serving the IoT industry.
Wade Patterson, CEO, Synapse Wireless, said:
“Synapse partners with leading businesses to turn the Internet of Everything into a meaningful advantage. Our products provide connectivity to any kind of asset – to drive functionality, data, and insight that absolutely transforms business models. We hope to be a part of the thought leadership delivered by the IMC.”
The IMC has quickly gained over 1,000 individual associates – or Adopter Members – on five continents, mostly in the vertical-market sectors of logistics, healthcare, and energy, making it the world’s largest trade group dedicated to the IoT sector. Many IMC Adopter Members come from Fortune 500 companies, including 3M Healthcare, ABB, BMW, Coca-Cola, DHL, Hyundai, Philips, Saudi Aramco, Siemens Healthcare, Tata Group, UPS, the US Department of Defence, and Walmart.
Synapse joins AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Digi International, Inmarsat, Iridium, Kore Telematics, Oracle, Orbcomm, Telit, Telecom Italia, and Wyless as an IMC Sustaining-Member company. “Our Sustaining Members include top telcos, MVNOs, software developers, systems integrators, and hardware makers. It’s an eclectic, international group and we think that’s very important,” says IMC Executive Director Keith Kreisher,  “It’s great to have another very strong RF component maker on board.”
Synapse was acquired in 2012 by its corporate parent, McWane Inc., as that company’s first venture into advanced technology, largely thanks to the strength of its SNAP operating system for wireless mesh networks. SNAP has found particular application in tying longer range networks together with those of shorter range. Synapse currently boasts 5,000 registered developers for SNAP.

About International M2M Council: The IMC was formed in May 2013 to foster widespread M2M adoption across a diverse range of industrial and consumer sectors by bringing together solution providers and adopters of M2M technology globally. For more information, visit www.im2mc.org.
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u-blox achieves strong 2013 results

u-blox (SIX: UBXN), a leading provider of embedded positioning and wireless communication solutions, today announces its financial results for 2013.
Financial highlights
u-blox achieved strong top-and bottom line growth:
++ Consolidated revenue of u-blox was CHF 219.8 million in 2013, a growth of 27.0% as compared to 2012
++ Gross profit improved from CHF 81.2 million to CHF 101.2 million, with a continued good gross profit margin of 46.0% in 2013
++ Operating profit (EBIT) increased from CHF 22.9 million to CHF 30.1 million, a growth of 30.9% as compared to 2012
++ EBITDA margin of 21.0%, EBIT margin of 13.7%
++ Net profit increased by 44.3% from CHF 17.1 million to CHF 24.6 million, representing a 11.2% net profit margin for 2013
++ Strong net cash generated from operating activities was CHF 38.5 million, representing 17.5% of revenue
++ Healthy balance sheet with a high equity ratio of 79.7%
++ The payout of a dividend of CHF 1.30 per share from capital reserves is to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
Continued growth in sales and profit
In 2013, worldwide sales growth of 27.0% over 2012 was achieved. Strong growth in APAC (+68%) and very robust development in EMEA (+34%) was realized; revenues in the Americas declined by 13% because several large US customers chose to outsource manufacturing to Asia. Without this effect business generated by the US-based sales team increased by over 20%.
The company’s dominance in components for vehicle tracking was maintained with continued expansion. High growth was also experienced in the in-dash automotive navigation market where u-blox is acknowledged as the global technology and quality leader. Business also grew strongly for people and animal monitoring devices, financial transaction terminals, recreation equipment and vehicle telematics systems (emergency call, insurance, anti-theft, etc.).
u-blox’ product and service business segments both generated positive EBIT during 2013. Consolidated revenue was up byCHF 46.7 million to CHF 219.8 million with increased volumes, while EBIT increased from CHF 22.9 million to CHF 30.1 million, a 30.9% increase over the previous year. Net profit grew by 44.3% to CHF 24.6 million, representing an 11.2% net profit margin for 2013.
Growth driven by demand for connected mobility in the “Internet of Things”
u-blox’ products serve virtually all growth sectors that make up the “Internet of Things” (IoT). The company is positioned at the heart of this megatrend, able to deliver crucial chips and modules for both embedded positioning and wireless communications. With the IoT theme now firmly established, demand for the company’s products has proliferated right across its core markets.
Successful strategy development
u-blox’ corporate strategy focuses on an ambitious goal: to reach a half-billion dollar in annual revenues, with comparable growth in EBIT, within the next few years. The company’s expansion, acquisition, manufacturing, and product strategies are all aligned to meet this target. In doing so, u-blox intends to become the number one provider of wireless and positioning modules and chips that serve the broad range of applications supporting embedded mobility.
The company’s focus on wireless and positioning technologies that support Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications and the IoT continues to drive innovation. u-blox’ positioning product strategy clearly focuses on serving all five deployed satellite navigation systems, u-blox’ wireless strategy is to support all four mobile communication standards worldwide. u-blox continues to leverage complementary functionality between its positioning and wireless technologies, a strategy that has resulted in the “AssistNow” accelerated positioning and “CellLocate” indoor positioning services, both of which were expanded and improved during the year. u-blox’ packaging strategy to deliver form-factor and layout compatible products across successive product generations is highly appreciated by customers and remains a key reason why they stay with u-blox.
Finally, u-blox’ underlying philosophy of delivering its own chip and module solutions based on in-house technology is being extended to the wireless domain. This places the company in an excellent position to participate in the extremely promising 4G LTE revolution. At the same time the company remains committed not to compete with customers, but rather focus on supporting them with outstanding components and services.
Acquisitions
Although no acquisitions were made in 2013, previous acquisitions were further integrated into the company during the year. With healthy liquidity of CHF 60.6 million, u-blox remains in an agile position to acquire the necessary technologies, expertise and products to maintain its market lead and further broaden its technology base.
Products highlights and market firsts
Thirteen attractive new products were launched. This included several market firsts: the world’s smallest satellite positioning module (EVA-7M), the world’s smallest 3G wireless communications module (SARA-U2), the smallest 4G LTE module (TOBY-L1) and the company’s next generation u-blox M8 positioning platform. u-blox M8 can track two satellite systems simultaneously, and was the world’s first commercially available single-chip solution to support all deployed Global Navigation Satellite Systems (“GNSS”), including China’s BeiDou system.
Industry recognition
u-blox earned two awards for excellence during 2013; Korea’s New Media Prize for best communications product for the LISA-U2 3G wireless module, and M2M magazine’s Global Top 100 award for excellence in connectivity solutions for the 3rd year in a row.
Focus on quality
The company continued its focus on quality and logistical excellence during a year of strong production ramp-up at our customers. u-blox celebrated a 10-year collaboration with module partner Flextronics in Austria where production lines became fully automated. u-blox successfully passed ISO 9001:2008 re-certification audits at its headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, and wireless R&D center in Sgonico, Italy.
Revenue breakdown
u-blox operates in two segments:

Positioning and Wireless products u-blox develops and sells GPS/GNSS chips and modules, and wireless modules which are used in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. Revenue was CHF 218.9 million for 2013 as compared to CHF 171.1 million in 2012.
Wireless services u-blox also offers wireless communication technology services in terms of reference designs and software, an activity which was reinforced by the acquisitions in 2012 of Cognovo Ltd. and 4M Wireless Ltd. In 2013, revenue for Wireless services was CHF 18.9 million compared to CHF 14.4 million in 2012 (including intra-group revenue).

In 2013, the company made about 80% of its total revenue from 67 customers. u-blox’ largest customer accounted for less than 11% of revenue. u-blox served over 4’500 customers and achieved global expansion into new regions and markets.
Increased gross profit
Gross profit increased by 24.6% to CHF 101.2 million in 2013 from CHF 81.2 million in 2012. Gross profit margin was 46.0% for 2013, declining from 46.9% in 2012 because of the changes in product mix.
More results in u-blox’ 2013 results announcement.
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Vodafone and AstraZeneca announce partnership for mHealth patient services

Vodafone and AstraZeneca announced today a global partnership to use mobile health (mHealth) services to improve health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
The collaboration will create new mobile and internet-based services to support patients through their treatment journey, improving medication adherence and giving patients confidence to manage their condition more effectively.
Vodafone will provide the technology, infrastructure and expertise for these services, as well as the ability to capture data from a variety of sources to improve overall engagement between patients and their Health Care Professionals (HCPs).
HCPs will be able to give patients the option to use these mHealth services, as an integral part of the patient care process, empowering them to manage their conditions as part of their daily routine. Patients will have access to educational material – personalised for their needs – and will benefit from coaching and treatment support to help manage their medication and lifestyle changes, and track their treatment progress.
The project will be led by the Intelligent Pharmaceutical Group within AstraZeneca, part of Global Medicines Development, working in close collaboration with the in-country marketing teams. Services will be designed to work across geographies, with the ability to adapt to local variations in regulations and patient care. Astra Zeneca has selected Vodafone in light of Vodafone’s experience in delivering – and ability to scale – mHealth services.
Vodafone Director for Machine to Machine, Erik Brenneis, said:
“Bringing together the best in connectivity with the best in treatment and education will create powerful and compelling outcomes for patients.”
“AstraZeneca is a global leader in the mHealth field and we are delighted to work with them to develop these innovative services.”
Andy Jones VP Pharmaceutical Innovation at AstraZeneca commented:
“It is really exciting to see the progress being made in this area. This work is an excellent example of collaboration between AstraZeneca and Vodafone. Together we believe we are delivering something that will bring real benefit to patients in this important therapeutic area.”
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Homerider Systems/Veolia Deploys New Environmental Data Collection System Based on Semtech’s LoRa™ Platform

The solution significantly reduces infrastructure cost and improves robustness.
Homerider Systems, a Vienne, France-based subsidiary of Veolia and specialist in radio network environmental data collection systems, announced a next-generation system based on the Semtech SX1272 transceiver with LoRa™ long-range RF technology.
Homerider Systems is a worldwide water cycle and services leader offering water utilities a complete solution to improve efficiency with a broad range of capabilities and sensors for leak detection, water quality analysis and pressure monitoring. With networks covering many large cities and more than four million end points deployed, Veolia is able to easily update these networks with additional ‘Smart City’ applications.
The LoRa™ technology with its long-range capability is integrated into the Call Rider+ concentrator and Warm G2 water meters and significantly reduces the deployment cost for Homerider by eliminating repeaters and concentrators. Each concentrator now has the capability to collect data from several thousands of meters over a much wider area. The spread spectrum technology utilized in LoRa offers significant interference immunity with ultra-low power consumption to permit extremely long battery life.
Dominique Seze, President and CEO of Homerider Systems, said:
“On top of reducing the total cost of ownership for water management solutions, the LoRa™ technology provides our parent company Veolia a real market opportunity to provide cities with complementary Smart City applications thanks to its ultra-low power infrastructure.”
Utilizing Semtech LoRa™ technology enables 10x greater range than competing systems and the capacity to connect tens of thousands of nodes to a single gateway in a star architecture while maintaining low power for multi-year battery operation. This will enable the next wave of applications for Internet of things (IoT), smart cities, smart environments and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.
With the increased link budget and range capability of LoRa™ there is no need for mesh network architecture. A mesh network extends the range of the network but comes at the cost of reduced network capacity, synchronization overhead and reduced battery lifetime due to synchronization and hops. To take full advantage of LoRa™ properties in this application, Semtech has designed the gateway chip set and media access control (MAC) in addition to the end-node SX127x transceivers to permit a long-range star architecture with capacity to handle tens of thousands of nodes per gateway chip.
“We are happy to enable our partner, Homerider Systems, with a superior solution that is allowing them to capture additional market share,” said Alain Dantec, Semtech Senior VP and GM of Wireless, Sensing and Timing Product Group.
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Wireless Communication Specialists Westbase Appointed as Distributor of Vodafone’s MachineLink 3G M2M Router

Westbase Technology has been appointed by Vodafone as distributor for the MachineLink 3G, Vodafone’s all-purpose machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless mobile router, built to address the rapid multi-sector growth in M2M deployments globally.
The MachineLink 3G is feature packed for M2M connectivity providing network access anywhere there’s 2G or 3G cellular coverage with Penta-band 3G and Quad-band 2G support. An out-of-the-box, pre-configured, and managed 3G HSPA+ solution, the service can be mass deployed to instantly connect remote assets, premises, equipment, and vehicles using any Vodafone or Vodafone M2M partner mobile network anywhere in the world.
Part of the Vodafone M2M Product Portfolio the MachineLink 3G is delivered with Vodafone Managed Connectivity. The service significantly reduces M2M complexity and cost, whilst increasing M2M manageability by bringing together the largest mobile network in the world, a global M2M monitoring platform, tailored tariffs built to control costs, and dedicated support from Vodafone and Westbase Technology.
Designed as an end-to-end M2M solution providing easy access to Vodafone networks worldwide with a unique global roaming algorithm, the MachineLink 3G meets the increasing need for cost-effective and reliable remote monitoring across countless industry and enterprise applications. The service delivers optimised real-time data communications in areas such as utilities, industrial automation, asset management, healthcare, point-of-payment, vending, and digital signage.
Sacha Kakad, Managing Director, Westbase Technology, said:
“The Vodafone MachineLink 3G opens the doors for businesses looking to deploy M2M applications. As a completely managed connectivity solution bringing together the router, the platform and dedicated support, customers have access to a competitively priced solution that the marketplace has been crying out for.”
Freed from the constraints of a fixed landline connection and designed to work anywhere in the world, the MachineLink 3G features built-in Ethernet for plug-and-play connectivity, wide operating temperature range, flexible power options (AC, DC, PoE) with dual power redundancy support, high-performance internal antennae and optional external antenna connector. Lastly, built-in mounting versatility makes the device perfect for total connectivity in any M2M deployment.
MachineLink 3G customers also benefit considerably from the world-class dedicated support available from Vodafone and Westbase Technology. The MachineLink 3G comes with an open management Linux software development kit that allows customers to develop their own customised applications, offering true scalability, large-scale compatibility and an easy path to large M2M deployments
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RacoWireless Integrates SkyWave M2M Satellite & Satellite-Cellular Devices into Position Logic’s Location-Based Services Platform

RacoWireless today announced the completion of the integration between RacoWireless’ Position Logic platform and the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Agent with IsatData Pro Satellite M2M devices from SkyWave Mobile Communications.
The integration creates a fully integrated software and hardware solution, streamlining communication and support for customers in the fleet management industry.
SkyWave is a global provider of satellite and satellite-cellular terminals, applications, network and professional services for mobile and fixed remote industrial tracking, monitoring, control, and management.
The SkyWave AVL Agent is an embedded Lua application developed for easy integration with a solution provider’s fleet management application; it eliminates the need for any upfront Lua programming, enabling more rapid customer deployment, easier installation, configuration and use. The AVL agent provides a variety of pre-set event-based reports with configurable thresholds that support user requirements for location tracking, vehicle status and driver behavior monitoring features.
RacoWireless has incorporated its industry leading GPS tracking platform Position Logic with the satellite and satellite-cellular tracking solutions from SkyWave in an effort to create a more seamless customer experience. Combined, the two technologies increase visibility into a fleet’s operations and allow managers to run their fleets more efficiently by sending position and status reports, tracking drive time, excessive speeding, and more, whether or not the vehicle is in cellular coverage.
Speaking of the benefits of the agreement, Felix Lluberes, president of Location-Based Services at RacoWireless, said:
“This integration allows users of the Position Logic platform to benefit from the ability to customize tools and configure the devices in real time, and creates a convenient solution that speeds the time to market for an IsatData Pro fleet management system.”
The integration of both RacoWireless’ Position Logic platform and SkyWave further expands market reach into new geographies and verticals for both companies.
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CoSwitched announced today the launch of its pan-European mobile virtual network

Based in Lisbon, CoSwitched is a new Telecom startup that seeks to take advantage of the current vibe surrounding Internet of Things to offer a pan-European mobile virtual network.
CoSwitched announced today the soft launch of its service.
Launched to provide an easy way to manage your connected machines across Europe, CoSwitched connects machines to the Internet using GSM connectivity in more than 20 countries.
Bruno Duarte, Co-founder of CoSwitched, said:
“IoT is the most exciting and one of the fastest growing markets at the moment. Machines can be connected to the Internet using many technologies. Traditional operators and their partners dominate the GSM connectivity service, however times have changed. We truly believe that the industry lacks a different type of connectivity provider.”
“CoSwitched aims to disrupt the market with a simple, affordable and no frills and no boundaries value proposition. We expect to have between 10 to 15 thousand GSM connections in the first year.”
CoSwitched is a lean organisation with key partnerships and is focused on the essentials. As a result, CoSwitched will be the first affordable pan-European GSM connectivity provider for machines on the market. In addition, CoSwitched provides a state-of-the-art platform to manage and monitor the connectivity of the machines.
CoSwitched has a direct market strategy through an online shop. End users and manufacturers of machines can order SIM cards from the shop and manage them immediately.
CoSwitched SIM cards with a Basic pricing plan are available from €1.50 per month (including VAT) and include 5 megabytes of data per month in 23 countries. SIM cards can be ordered immediately from the CoSwitched online shop.
CoSwitched has local presence in the Portugal, UK and France.
For more information about CoSwitched, please visit www.coswitched.com.

About CoSwitched
CoSwitched is an Internet of Things Mobile Virtual Network Operator that provides voice, messaging and data services to facilitate Machine-2-Machine (M2M) communications. CoSwitched is the one stop shop for machines’ connectivity.
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InHand Networks selects Gemalto for M2M service launch in China

Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, announces that InHand Networks, a leader of industrial M2M solutions in China, is integrating Gemalto’s Cinterion® PHS8 module into their InRouter 900 series.
The Inhand Networks product, powered by Gemalto’s industrial-grade M2M technology, provides customers with remotely manageable secure solutions for large-scale M2M deployments, widely used in M2M applications for multiple device connections in the rural area. This includes vending machines, digital signage, remote medical devices, industrial automation equipments, smart grid, field machinery and digital factory.
The combined solution is able to support challenging network management involving thousands of remote machines or VPN connections that is common in M2M applications. With a compatible footprint, the solution ensures reliable communications while facilitating migration to 4G LTE technology. It also simplifies integration and streamlines mass manufacturing leading to lower production costs. In addition, its compact form factor is ideal for space-constrained M2M applications such as industrial PDAs, global tracking and tracing devices, discreet security systems, mHealth solutions and more.
“Gemalto’s Cinterion PHS8 is an industry certified solution that has a modular design and integrates core functionalities for the most important applications. Therefore, it provides our devices with the benefits of quickening up the certification process and supporting automated production in a cost-effective fashion,” said Mr. Li Ming, CEO of InHand Networks. “These are the major enablers to help us become a key player in the massive M2M deployment in both domestic and international markets.”
Michael Wallon, Vice President of M2M Sales for Asia & Pacific at Gemalto, added:
“In China, the market size to support the Internet of Things will reach 750 Billion RMB by 2015 with an annual growth rate of more than 30%. The Gemalto-powered technology enables a reliable route to upgrade to 4G cellular technology and provides worldwide coverage and reliability even when roaming across different networks”
“These product benefits enable InHand Networks to fully capitalize on the existing and emerging business opportunities from the global M2M market.”
Note: Analysis Report of Development Prospect and Investment Forecast of The Internet of Things Industry in China（2013-2017）- Jul, 2013, China’s Economic Future
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Simplicity and control are fundamental for the Internet of Things to flourish

By Vikas Bajaj, Assistant Vice President, Technology, Aricent.
As more and more devices connect to the Internet, if the “Connected Consumer” is to thrive in the world of the Internet of Things, connected solutions need to “just work”. The man-on-the-street needs device connectivity solutions that are easy, reliable and secure.
Currently there are very few truly connected systems available to consumers. They are often extremely expensive and complex to install. Despite the marketing promises, poor foresight and misaligned networking standards have left users with devices that do not play well together.
With so many vertical elements spanning utilities, entertainment and communications, the chances of any one market player with proprietary solutions swooping in to create a fully-formed Internet of Things ecosystem seems fanciful to say the least.
Without having some sort of Gateway to the Internet of Things, it is difficult to see how the various systems and protocols could come together in a manageable way. Without it, it is easy to visualize the Connected Consumer hating their new connected reality with its 15 different systems that they have to master. 15 instruction books and 15 things that could crash. And the dream quickly turns into a nightmare.
But with a Gateway in place, every sci-fi movie scene of people controlling their home from a console could become a reality in a very short period of time. Lights, curtains, temperatures, security, streaming and sharing – all accessible and controllable from a single interface. So what are the requirements for this Gateway to work for this simple, controllable reality?
First of all the Gateway needs to be multi-lingual, to say the least. A Gateway needs to talk all the languages that the devices in its ecosystem talk. As well as the languages that is spoken in the outside world. That means this “Interworking Proxy Framework” needs to be able to talk and translate WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Zwave, DLNA and UpNP. It also needs to connect to WANs, LTE and 3G networks. And it needs to communicate through HTTP, IP and TCP.
Whatever the communications protocol of the Internet of Things Area Network, whether it be SIP-based, HTTP-based or ETSI-based, the Gateway needs to connect to the Cloud via the Internet, through a cellular data network or otherwise. It also needs to support a Client/Server based RESTful architecture for efficient interaction between the Gateway and its Server.
The Gateway needs to be completely inclusive. It needs to have “Automated Service Discovery”. That means that new devices brought into the ecosystem need to be introduced with the simplicity of “plug and play”. It should also have support mechanisms for cloud based device management, so the device can be configured and upgraded within a matter of a few clicks via the cloud. Imagine the expensive nightmare of needing to get an engineer in every time you bought a new device for your home. It just needs to work effortlessly.
Another vital aspect is the requirement for device analytics. The Gateway should be able to relay all device activity to the cloud and applications on the cloud can then perform the analytics. The reporting can include device history for potential tracking purposes, monitor device compliance to agreed profiles and also generate fault management reports.
With all these aspects of a Gateway in place, what does the immediate future look like?
Well, it looks a little like the concepts we have seen for years…only this time it is real. And it is easy. You could take a photo on your smartphone and send the photo to your digital photo frame in your living room. You could check in via your tablet that your elderly parents or grandparents are well with your home surveillance while you are on your lunchbreak. You could turn on your AC or heating to come on or set times for them to come on each day. You could stream the football match you recorded to your home screen from your smartphone. You could drop your video call onto your TV, fullscreen or as a pop-up. And more importantly, you could manage every single aspect from the same interface, rather than having standalone systems to manage each one.
The technology is now available for all of this to happen in the very short term. It just requires a little more ambition and foresight and the massive revenue potential becomes a reality. Not to mention that we, the people, finally get a taste of “living in the future” with all the excitement that brings. The right players need to coalesce around a gateway that can make all of this happen. Consumer Electronics players need to step up their ambition and think beyond their vertically-aligned worlds. Chipset vendors need to ensure that devices and sensors work on the prevailing standards. And mobile operators need to think about how they can enable this new world and take their share of the pie. It is an exciting time for all the players in this market and no-one can afford to stand on the side-lines and watch others grasp the opportunities.
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