M2M - time is money

The ability to retrieve data instantly or in near real-time equates to time-saving and we all know that time is money.

Decisions being made upon the information retrieved through millions of M2M deployed SIMs is where a lot of money is being saved globally by numerous companies. Smart metering is a typically example of the cost savings that can be levered from real-time information flow that affects a greater connected system. Ultimately affecting each user connected to the system.

Optimising efficiency across operations has direct business benefits. Whether knowing when to top-up systems, modify supply flows, track resource usage or track resources directly themselves, M2M brings a wide range of benefits to a diverse multiverse of applications.

Take a simple example. A local bus network employs a fleet of vehicles and workers to drive several hundred kilometres every week to ensure that ticketing machines are kept in service with enough ticketing paper and coinage is emptied on time. M2M connectivity of these stand-alone ticketing machines provides an efficient use of manpower, fleet management and saves on unnecessary deployments of resources, thereby improving on planning and overall business operations. Outcome: saving time and money.

Take another example, this time a large forestry-paper operation. Workers receive instructions from their foreman over an M2M enabled interface directly into their tree harvester cabin. Drivers, machine operators and trucks are spread out over a large area of harsh terrain, but are all co-ordinated and monitored by the Production Office 150kms away via the 3G, GPRS or UMTS-enabled M2M service. Working manually meant working with maps, looking for identification markers (difficult to see in snow and harsh conditions) and double-checking with the Production Office. With M2M all the details are clearly presented directly to the operator operating the machine, knowing what to do and where to do it when they get there.

These types of savings equate to a lower impact on the carbon footprint of a company as well. These days, a topic that is becoming more and more an important issue for companies and governments alike.

Clear directions translate to less time and therefore less fuel being wasted in the operations. Multiply these saving across an entire fleet and the savings in both examples are substantial.

M2M connectivity also benefits the company by enabling remote repair of software-related problems in connected devices and/or equipment. Instead of sending a specialist to a location to carry out repairs, many problems can be solved through connectivity and wireless troubleshooting by a specialist based hundreds of kilometres away.

For some, M2M is still an acronym that is not understood completely but for others using it on a day-to-day basis of their business operations is a critical time saving, resource saving, energy saving, support saving and therefore money saving part of their company’s bottom line.

For them, M2M spells “time is money”.