If Sci-Fi movies have taught us anything, it is that in the future machines will be able to communicate and make decisions by themselves. The future is actually already here thanks to technology known as M2M or machine-to-machine communication. M2M is all about enabling the flow of data between machines regardless of the type of machine or data. This technology allows for both wireless and wired systems to communicate with other devices.
M2M can include systems that are used in the industry such as sensory systems – comprising a device that captures an event (such as temperature, inventory level, etc.) that is relayed through a network (wireless, wired or hybrid) to an application that translates the captured event into meaningful information. However, modern M2M communication has expanded beyond a one-to-one connection and changed into a system of networks that transmits data to personal appliances.
While originally aimed at the industry, new developments in the field of M2M promise for it to become a breakthrough in business technologies. M2M will communicate devices in the same way that the Internet communicates computer systems to create the Internet of Things. These networks also allow an array of new business opportunities and connections between consumers and producers in terms of the products being sold.
For business, M2M brings endless possibilities as it allows for the creation of real time intelligent custom dashboards and web apps that will enable business to monitor their activities in real time. In addition, this will allow for business systems integration and the development of intelligent mobile apps that will make the jobs of business people much easier.
In short, M2M allows for intelligent collection, reception, and analysis of data in real time. It also allows for the optimization of business processes by making data collection and analysis a much easier job and making the data itself more reliable. This will prove to be very valuable for business decision makers.
