AT&T M2M 360 Letting Companies 'Rethink Possible'

When it comes to AT&T (News - Alert), the provider offers it all – and we are not just talking about cell phones, wireless and digital TV services. We’re talking about the company’s extensive machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions offerings.

In fact, the company’s AT&T M2M 360 leverages AT&T’s network assets, expertise and ecosystem, innovative service platforms and proven achievements to allow business owners to operate without limits.

“Machine-to-machine or M2M wireless networks let you rethink possible and extend your reach to capture information and control resources almost anywhere,” AT&T said in a company video about its M2M offerings.

For the past decade, AT&T has had two feet firmly placed in the M2M space, even long before the technology went by that acronym. And more than a decade later, the industry is catching on that AT&T does not only have a stake in the M2M space but is in fact a leading enabler of M2M solutions.

Specifically, AT&T currently has 13.1 million connected devices in active service today – by far the largest in the US market, according to company officials. The service provider is also a recognized leader globally in the number of connected devices it has in service, and supports today on its various platforms.

In order to maintain its competitive edge, AT&T has honed its complete M2M ecosystem of products and services as part of the M2M 360, a suite of services which bundles management and control, billing and reporting tools and allows you to deploy remote devices that are pre-configured, certified and fully provisioned.

“The market takeaway is that if you are looking at M2M solutions you should definitely engage with AT&T,” Bruce Thompson, senior product marketing manager with the AT&T M2M Solutions Group, told TMCnet in a recent interview. “We are in a really strong position to help anyone considering a machine-to-machine deployment, especially those looking to go to a global type of deployment. We can help you with a very wide range of applications so no matter your industry you should be thinking about how you and your competitors will be applying this technology, where is the opportunity to improve, and how you can further extend the benefits of applying these technologies to improve both your business processes and enhance your service to your customers.”

According to AT&T officials, the M2M 360 suite stands apart because it not only boasts the “fastest 3G network and the best coverage world-wide” but it also has a proven track record in the various areas such as telematics, security solutions, monitoring, supervisory control and data, acquisition (SCADA), point of sale, asset management and similar M2M deployments.

The benefits of the platform are that AT&T can help companies manage their M2M deployments with integrated SIM provisioning, billing and reporting tools and carrier support, and that it enables world-class M2M solutions with industry vertical expertise teams, enterprise technical support, network connectivity design and implementation, and mobility applications consultants.

“There’s already millions of M2M endpoints deployed under the AT&T wireless umbrella with more than a decade of proven value,” AT&T said in the video.

Fleet managers, in particular, can enjoy cost savings and realize safety improvements by tracking everything from cargo haulers to rental cars. For merchants, they are able to move the point of sale to where their customer happens to be and where they need cash. Utility companies are able to reap efficiencies by deploying smart meters.

“Developers view AT&T M2M 360 as the foundation for even more advanced devices and services,” AT&T said.  

For more on AT&T’s M2M 360 and vertical applications, click here.