M2M continues to grow and more different industries are seeing the benefits for their individual sectors. As a technology with so many diverse applications there are still more businesses are coming across M2M for the first time and seeking how it might improve processes and workflow for them.And for organisations in this situation, knowing where to start can be tricky.
M2M is no longer a technology targeting large companies only. As it becomes more established and more affordable there are many smaller companies being exposed to the messaging and improvements it can bring. From enhanced reporting, to remote management and monitoring, M2M can help businesses of any size with efficiency and convenience through automated processes, so for all those considering this step, it’s important to bear in mind a few key considerations.
First, get planning! M2M can impact all parts of the business, so mapping out exactly where M2M will fit in strategically and operationally, from top to bottom, will ensure you are organised and prepared. Whether it’s the control and monitoring of assets, customer experience or your all-important brand perception, clear planning will allow each division to get the most out of your M2M solution. In addition it will help you to ascertain how you want M2M to work for you. A key element of this is pinpointing who, within your organisation, will manage the process; do you have the expertise in-house? This in-turn will influence your choice of M2M supplier. There are numerous M2M specialists out there, but levels of service will differ, from off-the-shelf packages to more tailored and individual solutions with assigned account managers and support lines.
There are hands-on M2M suppliers, like O2, who can help you manage the IoT to best-suit your business. With a well-matched partner on board that complements your team, you can maximise their expertise and knowledge through the process of project roadmapping and optimise results. Taking on M2M is an important business decision with all sorts of positive implications, so, as you embark on this road, don’t rush. Explore your options, plan ahead and when you make the final step into M2M, you can be rest assured that your business will feel the benefits.
The author of this blog is Anton Le Saux, head of Connectivity and Partner Sales at O2 Telefónica UK