M2M: The Key To Next-Level Automation

Here’s Why You Should Consider M2M-Enabled Automation

By Field Technologies magazine

Welcome to this year’s M2M (machine-to-machine) supplement. For the past few years, we’ve created this supplement to help readers like you understand how M2M technology can be leveraged to benefit your business (to find previous editions, visit FieldTechnologiesOnline.com). Companies continue to catch on — in fact, according to ABI Research, the market for cumulative cellular M2M connections will rise from about 110 million connections in 2011 to approximately 365 million connections by 2016. We’re finding that many companies are using M2M to take their organization’s automation to the next level. Have you already experienced the benefits of deploying a mobile solution, such as a tablet and field service software? M2M can extend your company’s automation further — increasing efficiency and often providing a competitive edge. In this supplement, I’ve compiled some first-hand stories of how companies are using M2M to their advantage.

The benefits of M2M can be experienced by a broad range of industries. The chart below, courtesy of M2M analyst firm Beecham Research, illustrates the variety of service sectors in which M2M has applications. Also included in this supplement, Robin Duke-Woolley, CEO of Beecham Research, gives his take on how M2M can be used to improve field service. According to ABI Research, automotive telematics and smart energy are the two market segments that will experience the most growth through 2016. Regardless of which industry you’re in, however, M2M is an important consideration for how to take your company’s operation to the next level of automation.