Consumer Electronics

Consumer devices employing M2M solutions are already ubiquitous. This rapidly growing sector is set to become more significant as consumers begin to find devices without M2M capabilities to be increasingly unimaginable.

The use of M2M in the consumer device sector has flourished with increased wireless connectivity. E-readers, connected digital frames, personal navigation devices and gaming consoles are just some of the consumer electronics that are anchored in M2M technology. With new, creatively envisioned business models, M2M can offer integrated solutions into consumer devices and enable businesses to relate directly with end-users. While addressing the needs of device manufacturers to manage costs and processes effectively through better information and control, M2M solutions possess the potential to further and dramatically change the field of consumer electronics and end-user experience.

Healthcare

M2M in healthcare is rapidly developing. Medical information transmitted in real time through M2M technology helps to relieve demands on healthcare professionals and increase industry efficiency and response times.

The potential of M2M in the healthcare industry is rapidly being discovered and explored. Rising demand in patient care has placed increasingly heavy responsibility and pressure on medical staff. Nearly a billion people worldwide suffer from chronic illnesses that require continuous monitoring. The healthcare industry will need to find better ways to reach and treat patients, and M2M technology is one of the ways to achieve just that.

Remote monitoring devices can allow doctors and caregivers to keep track of the health of patients who are not in the hospital or within their sight. Common conditions that are increasingly being monitored while patients are at home include irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmia), high blood pressure, glucose levels of diabetic patients and blood lipid levels. Medical staff can be alerted to changes in their patient's health and provide treatment quickly when necessary. M2M technology can also be used to monitor medication uptake by patients or when a prescription is due to run out.

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Logistics and Transportation

The use of M2M for transport operations and logistics tracking is fast becoming a necessary component for companies to stay ahead through real-time control over resources and freight movements.

Smart devices are being used in fleet management to gain greater visibility and control over businesses. M2M applications enable the tracking of vehicles and cargo containers to collect data on locations, driving speeds, fuel consumption, temperature and humidity, delivery progress and more to ensure more efficient logistics management and goods delivery. With more digested information and greater control, better resource management, operations and cost efficiency are eminently possible, delivering a competitive edge to businesses utilising M2M technology.

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Point-of-Sale (PoS)

M2M at Point-of-Sale is becoming more common with the rise of wireless technology. It can be used to support secure, real-time payments and transactions, and provide retailers with real-time visibility into their inventory.

Point-of-Sale M2M applications are used by consumers every day when they make payment by credit or debit cards, or use an automated teller machine (ATM) or a ticketing machine. The retail sector increasingly uses wireless technology to enable sale transactions. Banks use M2M technology to keep track of remote wireless financial transactions at retail outlets and ATMs. M2M can also be used in vending machines to track purchases and relay information for better supply chain management. Wireless PoS solutions can also include value-added customer applications, such as self-service solutions; secure, real-time payments and transactions; and customer profiling.

Security

Security enhancements with M2M enable alerts and alarms to be triggered and security actions to be initiated to ensure the protection of homes, workplaces and warehouses.

Remote surveillance and access to control systems, alarms and security response, motion detectors and lighting are some ways M2M is already being used by the security industry. As wireless communications and M2M technology develop, further enhancements to efficient and cost-effective means of monitoring intrusion and ensuring security are to be expected.

Smart Metering and Utilities

Smart metering is widely regarded as a core element of future energy infrastructure. M2M capabilities in utilities provision will be key in improving efficiency, preventing losses, saving energy and upgrading overall market performance.

Advanced utility meters using M2M can automatically collect data about energy supply and usage for monitoring and billing by utilities companies. Intelligent grid management and smart meters can improve the efficiency and reliability of energy distribution. It helps companies and customers to gain better visibility over energy usage and spending, and to provide service in the event of outage, thereby facilitating customer relationship management and demand-side management. Buildings and businesses can also monitor and control their energy use and their building’s energy performance, managing the heating, air conditioning and lighting automatically with M2M applications.