Just when I'm ready to write off M2M (machine-to-machine) as a market segment of its own, here come two press releases targeting, guess what, M2M.
M2M seems to have come from the cellular phone network providers who were looking for new markets. If growth in phones is slowing, let's look at automated SCADA systems using cellular technology as the broadband, rather than traditional radio. My introduction came from a joint Opto 22 and Nokia agreement several years ago. Subsequently, Nokia has sold its technology that was the basis of its M2M package.
But Siemens Communications seems to be embracing the M2M space. It has just announced a strategic alliance with Cartasite, a provider of telemetry monitoring and software products. Large-scale deployment of the joint effort of Siemens modules and Cartasite hardware and software is expected by the end of 2005.
In a second announcement, WinSystems introduced a single board computer (SBC) called the EPX-GX. The EPX-GX targets machine-to-machine applications (M2M) that require a processor, wide variety of I/O, and connectivity. It supports 11 different on board I/O functions with more I/O expansion options via PC/104 modules. Various communication links are onboard including wired and wireless Ethernet as well as optional PC/104 expansion modules for cellular, WLAN, GPS, etc. Applications include robotics, pipelines, medical, transportation, test equipment, COTS/military/homeland security, process/machine control, and HVAC systems.
The WinSystems board is quite a bit more encompassing than just cellular--a good idea.
The idea of M2M is that there is a tremendous value of linking devices to each other automatically--not just devices to humans or humans to humans. Analysts point out that there are many more devices with IP addresses than humans. Of course, companies looking for huge new markets are rapidly trying to find ways to tap such a huge reservoir. The market is not there, yet. It remains to be seen if there really is such a huge untapped market for automated connectivity.
5:58:58 AM 
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