Dell Launches New IoT Division and IoT Gateway Device

28 May 2015 – Dell today announced the formation of a division focused on bringing together end-to-end IoT solutions that span hardware, software and services. Its first product release is a purpose-built gateway designed to help customers kick-start their solution development and begin realizing the value of IoT immediately. The gateway is robust enough for the rigors of current projects and can also be leveraged as a proof-of-concept for use with future specialized Dell gateways.

As organizations come to terms with the new IoT landscape, they encounter a difference in approach between operational technology and information technology. To help bridge this divide, Dell has partnered with leading OT organizations, such as KMC Controls, to develop solutions that are specialized enough for OT yet seamlessly manageable in an IT environment. Through this and other key relationships, Dell is poised to be a trusted partner for developing innovative solutions.

“Current IoT solutions offer lengthy implementations, overly ambitious scoping and complex proprietary designs that raise risks and costs,” said Andy Rhodes, Executive Director IoT Solutions, Dell (above). “We are helping customers build out their solutions pragmatically with a broad portfolio of IoT-enabling offerings including security, manageability, services, analytics, infrastructure, and endpoints.”

“Developing an IoT solution for building automation systems requires speed and responsiveness, but there are also considerations such as security and the need for an open development platform that must be addressed,” said Richard Newberry, CEO, KMC Controls. “Dell’s IoT gateways allow KMC to connect building automation systems to the Internet of Things with a truly open and secure platform that scales very well from small buildings to large buildings to distributed properties within a portfolio.”

The importance of gateways
Gateways are small, wireless or connected devices that collect, help secure and process sensor data at the edge of a network.  Equipped with processing power, they provide customers with flexibility to perform analytics at the edge, reducing latency for data-based decisions, such as managing energy consumption or triggering a call for proactive equipment maintenance. This reduces the time and cost associated with transferring data to the cloud or data center. Dell’s new gateways are a solid foundation for an IoT edge solution that conserves valuable network bandwidth by relaying only meaningful data back to the cloud.

Dell's total IoT solution
Gateways are the most recent addition to Dell’s IoT solution stack. Dell's end-to-end approach spans data center solutions, analytics and leadership services and is built on a bedrock of global availability, industry leading support and trusted security options.

As part of a Dell’s rich IoT partnership ecosystem, Dell Services and ThingWorx announced a collaboration aimed at helping customers on their IoT journey. The companies will leverage each other’s capabilities to deliver a combination of technology and business expertise to help customers reduce the time, cost and risk required to build innovative Internet of Things (IoT) applications. As a part of the agreement, Dell’s Digital Business Services will enter ThingWorx’s Global System Integrators Alliance Program.
The new Dell IoT gateway

• A perfect launch point for developing IoT applications and compatible with multiple operating systems including Wind River Linux, Ubuntu and Microsoft Windows IoT.
• Small in size but powerful, featuring an Intel processor with two cores to drive a wide range of IoT applications including building and industrial automation.
• Mounts on walls, desks, or other easily accessible areas of the building.
• No moving parts and built to last, for years of high-performance service.

Quotes from Dell's Partner Ecosystem

“Dell’s gateway enables companies to build end-to-end IoT solutions based on Intel technology,” said Rose Schooler, vice president and general manager, IoT Strategy and Technology Office at Intel. “Dell’s newest gateway solution delivers the connectivity, security, and manageability needed to realize the value of Dell’s IoT solutions.”

“The manufacturing industry has relied on Dell to deliver great hardware solutions and services for many years, said Peter Han, VP of Worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft. “With their new IoT gateways running Windows IoT, Dell is poised to bring new security, analytics and efficiencies to the field of automation that will be sure to delight our mutual customers.”

"One of the biggest challenges facing developers in the IoT space is maintaining focus and reducing complexity," said Mark Shuttleworth, Founder of Canonical and Ubuntu. “We are very happy that Dell customers will soon be able to leverage Snappy Ubuntu Core in Dell’s robust IoT gateways - making it easier to do business."

Pricing and Availability
The Dell IoT Gateway is now available in the U.S. and Canada. Additional countries will have availability soon. Check with your Dell sales team. Dell gateways start at USD $479.

Source: Dell

Dell Partners With ThingWorx to Deliver IoT Services to Enterprise Customers

28 May 2015 - Dell Services today announced an agreement with ThingWorx, a PTC business, aimed at helping customers on their IoT journey via the ThingWorx IoT platform. Dell Services offers a combination of technology and business expertise to help customers reduce the time, cost and risk required to build innovative Internet of Things (IoT) applications. As a part of the agreement, Dell’s Digital Business Services  has joined the ThingWorx System Integrator Program.

As a ThingWorx system integrator partner, Dell Services offers the power of digital capabilities across cloud, mobility, social media, big data and digital transformation consulting to deliver comprehensive professional services dedicated to IoT.

Dell’s end-to-end portfolio is tailored for specific industries including healthcare, manufacturing, banking, and more and spans advisory, solution design, application development, implementation and managed services. Dell leverages investments in its Silicon Valley-based Internet of Things Lab jointly funded by Intel to design and launch solutions including smart buildings and connected products as well as next generation insurance, for customers.

In 2014, Dell and Intel began collaborating on IoT solutions for customer projects such as building automation for smart buildings. They are also both part of the Open Interconnect Consortium (OIC) that sets standards for connecting a multitude of household gadgets and appliances.

“Our customers today are seeing true business value in the Internet of Things, which is occupying a prominent place on their digital business agenda,” said Raman Sapra, executive director and global head, Dell Digital Business Services. “Our relationship with ThingWorx is yet another step towards helping our enterprise customers realize the business benefits of IoT through a consulting-led approach.”

The ThingWorx System Integrator Program consists of consulting and services companies that provide deep and proven delivery capabilities, and executive commitment to the ThingWorx product line.

With the ever-growing number of smart, connected products and sensors, the true potential of IoT lies in integrating people, systems and things, and developing new innovative applications that disrupt the way industries work. The ThingWorx platform offers one of the most comprehensive IoT solution stacks in the industry, providing a unified experience for customers to develop solutions for smart connected products.

“We are happy to welcome Dell into the ThingWorx System Integrator Program. The digital services solutions offered by Dell on a global basis will help ThingWorx customers accelerate the real, tangible benefits of implementing IoT-based solutions.” said Russ Fadel President and General Manager, ThingWorx, a PTC business (left).

Today Dell also announced a new IoT gateway designed to help customers kick-start their IoT solution development and begin realizing the value of IoT. Available immediately, this gateway is an integral part of Dell’s portfolio of IoT-enabling technologies. Customers that invest in early pilots with this product will have a competitive advantage and the flexibility to build on their systems with the upcoming release of Dell’s purpose-built IoT gateway. Additionally the Dell IoT gateway will participate in the ThingWorx Ready program, designed to validate interoperability between complementary products and the ThingWorx platform.

Dell and IoT
Dell cuts through the hype with a pragmatic approach to the Internet of Things and helps its customers leverage existing equipment and data to make the most of current technology investments. Dell customers can take advantage of analytics scenarios that span gateways, datacenter cloud and services leading to analytics-driven action. The Dell portfolio, combined with a rich partner ecosystem, deep vertical and domain expertise, and a collaborative approach enables Dell to provide end-to-end IoT solutions.

ThingWorx System Integrator Program
ThingWorx Partners provide a wide variety of products and services throughout the entire IoT value chain – from software systems and cloud platforms to smart sensors, devices, gateways and system integration services that make the connected world a reality.  The ThingWorx Partner Program allows System Integrators to enable their teams with expertise around the ThingWorx rapid application development platform greatly simplifying the architecture, implementation and deployment of IoT solutions.  ThingWorx system integrator partners reduce the cost and risk of Internet of Things deployments for end customers, helping accelerate the growth of the overall space.

Source: Dell