Wireless Machine-to-Machine: An In-depth Study of Applications and Vertical Markets

The wireless M2M market is growing rapidly. But beware the hype: forecasts that machines will surpass human users of mobile phone networks by the end of the decade are off the mark. Wireless M2M vendors must target the right vertical markets, uncover the opportunities and challenges, and develop winning solutions. Based on more than 30 interviews, this report identifies the top seven wireless M2M vertical markets, analyzes the obstacles to success, and presents specific recommendations. Essential reading for manufacturers, service providers, software developers, and system integrators.

The number of machines connected to wireless networks will increase more than tenfold over the next four years. But to cash in on wireless machine-to-machine market growth, vendors must target the right vertical segments, learn what makes them tick, and deliver solutions addressing verified opportunities and obstacles. That is one of the conclusions of the new 112-page report, Wireless Machine-to-Machine: An In-depth Study of Applications and Vertical Markets, released today by Datacomm Research Company.

"For example, one of the most promising M2M segments is remote device management," said Ira Brodsky, President of Datacomm Research and the report's author. "Needed are better wireless solutions for accessing machines indoors, more powerful algorithms for predicting when machines need servicing, and greater collaboration with machine vendors to promote remote diagnostics and usage monitoring," he added.

Wireless Machine-to-Machine: An In-depth Study of Applications and Vertical Markets provides similar analysis for six other key markets?including specific recommendations. The report is based on more than 30 interviews with leading manufacturers, operators, application service providers, and systems integrators. It contains sections on The Current Market, Technologies, Standards & Regulations, Business Models, and Future Considerations. More than 80 select vendors are profiled.

Additional conclusions found in Wireless Machine-to-Machine: An In-depth Study of Applications and Vertical Markets:

1. The growth of the wireless M2M market is driven by increasingly ubiquitous mobile phone services, the availability of low-cost radio modems, wireless service rate plans scaled to bandwidth consumption, and the emergence of powerful Internet-based tools.

2. The current wireless M2M market is modest in size and highly fragmented. There were approximately 7 million RF modules and wireless telemetry terminals sold during 2003. These were primarily digital cellular devices but also included analog cellular, wireless LAN, paging, and satellite units.

3. There are two major uses for wireless in M2M applications: a.) Wireless links between sensors and data collection points and b.) Wireless links between data collection points and control centers. Today, most wireless M2M links connect data collection points to control centers. Over time, the number of wireless sensors could increase dramatically.

4. Significant development effort is being focused on self-organizing, wireless sensor networks?also known as "smart dust." These are tiny wireless sensors that automatically find each other and form highly-flexible, self-routing, mesh networks. This embryonic technology could revolutionize the M2M industry by making sensors less expensive, less obtrusive, and easier to deploy. However, the market for smart dust may require a longer gestation period than its pioneers would like.

How You Benefit from purchasing this report:

This report is the result of numerous in-depth interviews with manufacturers, application service providers (ASPs), system integrators, and other experts. These interviews yielded information and insights not available elsewhere. Included were interviews focusing on solutions to key technical challenges such as IP addressing, indoor coverage, product approval/certification, and more.

You also get:

• One hour of consultation by telephone or e-mail (for explanation, elaboration, and (at our discretion) additional research).
• Unique "match-making" service: we will help you find and contact potential partners, strategic customers, and subject experts.
• An independent, objective, and experienced view of the wireless M2M/telemetry industry.
• Important insights regarding applications, markets and competitors.