We have a particularly strong program scheduled for the M2M Evolution Conference coming up in Miami, Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. ILS Technologies is doing a preconference leading up to the Battle of the Platforms event, which is going to have a more diverse participation. James Brehm, Mike Sapien and I will be the judges.
For M2M Evolution we are focused on the impact of M2M on businesses in general from supply chains to facilities and almost everything in between. In particular, I want to call out the case studies. The first is Spireon’s discussion about Coca Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated’s [CCBCC] use of Spireon’s FleetLocate.
In the case of “Coke Consolidated” the issue was reducing the idle time of trailers. Typically the company’s daily inventory showed it had over 100 trailers idle. Their goal was to keep the trailers in use by knowing their locations in real time. Another key ingredient was to manage loads and make distribution more efficient.
The ROI was easily found in the fact that Coke Consolidated was able to stop leasing additional trailers. They also learned how to manage their trailers loads to the point of reducing the less-than-load trips, while at the same time geo-fencing the trailers to improve maintenance.
The other case study that will be discussed is from Aeris, which will focus on device management. This is getting to be a critical issue as carriers worldwide are announcing the end of life plans for 2G and even 3G solutions.
Understanding what it takes to migrate and manage is getting even more complex with 4G LTE as GSM-like spectrum offerings are disappearing. LTE is now being delivered individually and not with a plan to enable universal service.
The days of World Phones are numbered based on roll out deployments having partners that can act on your behalf. The businesses benefit by the experience and focus they have on navigating the carrier offerings.
Aeris has developed a set of best practices on how to implement M2M, which is probably beneficial to almost any implementation.
The sessions are led by Verizon providing their perspective on where they are taking M2M. Verizon has been very active in specific verticals and I expect we will hear about Telehealth as well as some of their other interesting opportunities.
However, the important thing to know is that case studies are frameworks for businesses to apply to their specific needs. The Battle of the Platform event continues to show us that the needs are never unique. As a friend used to say to me, we are in the knowledge transfer business; so our M2M message for you is about how to manage and how to market from the experience of others.
Who knows, next year you might be a case study presenter based on what you learned in Miami.
Edited by
Stefanie Mosca