TechRadar Pro interviewed Eric Schneider, chairman of the M2M Alliance, to learn more about Europe's biggest organisation for machine-to-machine communications, their annual M2M Summit, and the importance of the latest M2M technologies for cities, healthcare systems and the entire economy.
TechRadar Pro: What is the aim of the M2M Alliance?
Eric Schneider: The idea behind our not-for-profit organisation is to provide companies and users with a platform which helps them to develop and find useful M2M solutions. We are in a lively exchange with a wide range of industries, end users and policy makers to create better conditions and a vibrant market for innovative and efficient M2M systems.
Nowadays, M2M technology is no longer restricted to single markets. It is important that companies from basically any industry and country have a point of contact where they can find the right partner for their demands. If you are looking for a partner for the implementation of M2M in a business or product to make it more efficient, we can point you in the right direction.
In addition, we ensure that politicians in Brussels, Berlin and London are aware of the requirements that are essential for a healthy industry and economy. Through projects with renowned universities, we also support the direct exchange between science and the business world. And we organise the M2M Summit which was held in October.
TRP: Were you satisfied with this year's M2M Summit?
ES: Like in previous years, it was once again a huge success with 60 exhibitors and 800 participants from 35 countries. What definitely has changed over the years is the focus of the event.
When we launched the M2M Summit eight years ago, it was basically a conference and trade show for the leading M2M experts. Nowadays, the focus is turning from the technology to the users. After all, the technology is only the enabler for smart solutions. Today's solutions are driven by the needs of users and businesses. The feedback from the exhibitors this year was absolutely positive.
TRP: Is M2M ready for the needs and demands of our globalised business world?
ES: Without a doubt. Isolated applications are outdated. To face the challenges that the modern world is throwing at us, open solutions that can be easily deployed as well as extended and combined with other networks are essential. Companies, cities and communities across the world experience the same problems. By developing solutions that are not unnecessarily restricted, these solutions can not only be deployed once, but many times.
The transport system in the UK is similar to the one in Germany or Italy, for example. A farmer in the Netherlands needs the same machinery as a farmer in Ireland. Delivery services often operate across countries. To protect our environment, we all need to cut our energy consumption and waste. We will only be able to meet these challenges with intelligent solutions, and many of them will be based on M2M communications.
TRP: What do companies have to consider before investing in an M2M-based solution?
ES: First of all, you need the commitment from the entire management. The next most important thing is a clear business strategy and well-defined targets. Rather than tackling the project as a whole, it usually makes sense to define intermediate goals. The whole organisation must be involved as processes and workflows will change dramatically throughout most departments, if not all. That's why a good change management is so important for most projects.
Realising efficient M2M solutions requires expertise throughout the organisation. In most cases, at least some external know-how is required as it is almost impossible to implement a new solution or system if the people in charge have been working for the same company for years. After working for a company over a long period of time, employees tend to be so familiar with the business that they don't see certain problems anymore which need to be addressed. It is also unlikely that the expertise for the entire project is available within the company.
TRP: What needs to be done to strengthen the positive development of recent years?
ES: It is important to raise awareness amongst decision makers such as politicians for the huge impact M2M has on the entire economy – and that the impact will become even bigger once M2M gets the support it deserves.
Politicians must recognise the tremendous potential of M2M applications and how they can help to strengthen our markets. Europe stands for excellent technology and know-how. Millions of jobs as well as our standing in the world depend on our knowledge and businesses. The politicians must provide the basis for modern M2M solutions that help businesses and our entire economy in the form of support, laws and regulations.
TRP: Where do you see the biggest potential for M2M?
ES: Automotive, vending, automation, transport and logistics, smart home, smart grids, security – these are probably the kind of industries everyone immediately associates with M2M technology. Billions of devices and machines are already connected in these sectors.
The private sector gets less attention, but even here, many M2M applications are already in place. The difference is that the general public or even the actual end users are not necessarily aware of it.
The modern sport shoe that communicates with the pulse monitor which again transmits the data to an internet platform once we come home from our run through the park is based on M2M technology. Our new speedometer sends the route we have just cycled to the digital map on our computer, including the altitude of every hill we have climbed, and the system compares the results with the route and data from our last trip.
In other words: the potential for M2M is endless. The next step up from our gym equipment is the way M2M communication is employed in eHealth.
TRP: Can M2M also help to improve the healthcare system?
ES: M2M solutions already help many hospitals and other companies in the healthcare sector to deal with the tremendous amounts of data they need to store and access on a daily basis. Some of this information is so important that any form of mismanagement could have very serious consequences. That's why it is important that only tried and tested systems are being employed.
M2M already plays an important part in the health sector, and it will be even more important in the future. The automated transmission of ECG and blood pressure from the patient to a hospital or doctor is already possible. Such systems improve the quality of life of many patients as well as the standard of service at the hospital. Rather than checking the heart rate of a patient which is currently perfectly normal and who could have stayed at home, the doctor can see other patients that actually need treatment.
This way, organisations such as the NHS can not only improve their services, but also their finances. In Scandinavia, eHealth is already widely implemented, amongst others to ensure that patients who live in rural areas get the attention they need even if the doctor is based many miles away.
TRP: Will Smart Cities soon be reality?
ES: Some solutions are already a reality, and there are many exciting projects in the pipeline. Big data and M2M communications help cities and communities to use their resources more efficiently whilst increasing the quality of life of residents, commuters and visitors.
Shoppers will receive information via their navigation systems about available parking spaces and road works – and even updates about the availability and price of the product they are looking for in local shops. Tourists will enjoy a comprehensive service, including routes, ticket prices and timetables in real-time, and up-to-date information about points of interests in their vicinity. Intelligent traffic control increases the appeal of cities for residents and visitors alike. Cities and councils will be able to control street lights more efficiently to save energy and money.
The City of Hamburg and Cisco are currently working on a Smart City scheme which includes the deployment of smart street lighting, a smart traffic system to optimise traffic flows and detect incidents earlier, environment and infrastructure sensing, and a virtual citizen services solution, where administrative services are provided through a high-definition, remote video kiosk
The port, which is the beating heart of Hamburg's economy, is becoming a Smart Port, which includes capturing and analysing emissions data in order to be able to provide more reliable forecasts on noise, temperatures, humidity, and pollution.
TRP: What does the future hold for M2M users?
ES: In the future, smart solutions will be an essential part of our everyday life. We already use more and more M2M solutions without being aware of it. People my age are digital immigrants. Future generations will look back at today's world, wondering how we managed to live without all the M2M solutions they will take for granted, just like many people don't remember how they coped without mobile phones.
Having said that, it is essential that the politicians realise the potential of M2M technologies. Currently, there are still too many hurdles for smart solutions, even though these solutions would improve our economy as well as our lives. Confidential data of users, for example, must be protected at all times. However, there must be a clear distinction between confidential data and information about customers who would actually be happy to benefit from services that would make their lives much easier.
About Eric Schneider
Eric is the 1st chairman of the M2M Alliance, the biggest association for the machine-to-machine sector in Europe with 79 members from 13 countries. As an independent industry association, the M2M Alliance supports its members in the growing M2M market. The not-for-profit organisation also organises the annual M2M Summit.
In his day job, Eric works as a consultant for Mediaan ABS in the areas of Business Transformation Projects, Information Security & Quality Management Processes/Systems.
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