M2M CONNECTIVITY PLATFORMS FOR ENTERPRISE BUSINESSES. White Paper

Transcription

1 M2M CONNECTIVITY PLATFORMS FOR ENTERPRISE BUSINESSES White Paper

2 Table of contents Introduction... 3 M2M & IoT Platforms... 4 M2M Platforms... 4 Maintaining Device Connectivity... 5 Connectivity Management... 5 Device to Data Centre Security... 6 Secure M2M & IoT Data Flow... 7 M2M Platform Hosting Options... 7 M2M Platforms for the Enterprise market... 8 Leveraging Existing MNO Relationships... 8 Hosting an M2M Platform within the Corporate Network... 9 Conclusion... 9 About Arkessa Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

3 Introduction As the machine to machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) markets evolve and enter their next stage of growth, software platforms are key tools in the delivery of applications and services. The key software platforms that will lead this growth are M2M connectivity platforms (hereafter referred to as M2M platforms) and IoT integration platforms. M2M platforms provide the management, control and security for remote device connectivity. They also provide connectivity monitoring, real-time charging and policy control, and can integrate with existing back end systems and platforms. IoT integration platforms integrate data from a wide and disparate set of devices using a full suite of Enterprise connectors, and provide a rich set of application APIs to make it easier to develop applications that use the data. They decrease application development time and extend application reach. This white paper will look at M2M platforms, assessing the common and differentiating factors that are driving the adoption of the different hosting models within the evolving M2M and IoT marketplace. 3 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

4 M2M & IoT Platforms M2M Platforms Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) typically lease or own their M2M platform and offer remote device connectivity as a service to their customers. Businesses use this M2M connectivity to ensure a secure connection between their devices and their back end systems, enabling them to improve efficiencies and reduce costs, and in increasing numbers to use this real-time data to improve decision making within the business. They enable device provisioning and connectivity management, monitoring and reporting. They may integrate with associated systems to facilitate the streamlined commissioning of new connections, and the operational processes associated with maintaining them. When devices are commissioned, the platform provides the secure, reliable two-way connection between the device and the corporate back-end system that customers need to both capture data from their devices and deliver services to their customers. 4 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

5 The M2M platform must be able to serve the wide range of vertical applications already being deployed and in development, and be scalable to accommodate the anticipated explosion in device numbers. Maintaining Device Connectivity In the mobile environment the key factor determining service availability is connectivity to a given mobile network or networks. Very few MNOs can provide a guarantee of connectivity across an entire country, and even less so across wider geographical regions. Consumers accept that in certain locations they will get no signal to their mobile phone, and that as they move they will go in and out of coverage as the mobile network they are using weakens or drops the connection. Conversely, M2M devices that rely on the mobile networks for connectivity need to be connected wherever they are sited, or if they are moving they need to be able to roam from network to network in order to maintain connectivity. Because of this, the M2M platform must be multi-network with international interconnects. Connectivity Management An integral part of the M2M platform is the portal (often webbased) that allows the connectivity provider and their customers to manage and monitor the connectivity of their devices. When tariffs have been agreed, SIMs can be provisioned, suspended and de-commissioned by the customer within the portal. Where MNOs and MVNOs provide connectivity as a service, this customer self-service benefits both parties. M2M platform providers Customer Services teams can focus on initial customer set-up, customer support, and any fault resolution, whilst customers can manage their own estates within agreed parameters. The portal also enables customers to access real-time information relating to data flow from devices and device groups. It enables customers to ping devices to wake them up before doing diagnostics. Most portals allow data alerts and caps 5 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

6 to be set to prevent any overage of data use and cost before establishing a new connection. With customers managing their device estates, MNOs and MVNOs which lease an M2M platform are able to choose whether to have a Customer Services and Technical Support function, or to outsource it to the platform provider. In most cases outsourcing to the platform provider is the preferred option. M2M platform providers Customer Services and Technical Support teams have direct relationships with the Network Operators, so are able to swiftly deal with any network problems whilst acting as the customer interface for MNOs and MVNOs. By minimizing the number of account managers they deal with, Network Operators are able to more rapidly deal with any network problems. Device to Data Centre Security Most MNOs and MVNOs provide M2M connectivity as a service via their M2M platform, enabling customers to connect their M2M & IoT devices to their back-end systems, via a public or private access point name (APN) and VPN. Whilst Public APNs allow any device to interconnect from a mobile network to the internet, Private APNs provide a secure connection directly into the IP network of the customer, ensuring Enterprise grade security from the device to the data centre. Private APNs also provide the following advantages over Public APNs: Configurability customers can configure various settings such as IP address ranges, static or dynamic addressing as well as authentication techniques. Security Subscribers that are connected via a private APN are only visible to other devices on the same APN. Data flows across VPNs rather than the Internet. Cost effectiveness Private APNs enable data aggregation, and lock devices to the corporate VPN whilst blocking access to the internet for tablet and mobile phones etc. Data is encrypted as it travels across the mobile network, and terminated at the private APN directly onto the customer s 6 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

7 private network, delivering end-to-end security. This cloudbased model works for most small and midsize firms, providing the reliable, secure connectivity they need to run their businesses, whether they are providing end users with end-toend solutions or they themselves are the end users. Secure M2M & IoT Data Flow M2M Platform Hosting Options As stated previously, many MNOs and MVNOs lease or own their M2M platform, enabling them to offer connectivity as a service to their customers. By leasing or purchasing a third party platform, MNO s and MVNO s can quickly enter the market, enabling them to offer device connectivity without needing to develop their own platform. A new innovation in this space is the availability of an M2M platform as a private platform for the Enterprise market, hosted on a private cloud or on-premise, within the Corporate IT system. This option enables Enterprise businesses, where M2M and IoT deployments are becoming increasingly business critical, to lease or own a private M2M platform and to manage it as an integral part of the IT infrastructure, ensuring it adheres to corporate IT policies and procedures. 7 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

8 M2M Platforms for the Enterprise market Whilst operational efficiency and cost reduction have been the traditional drivers for the majority of M2M deployments, the Enterprise market is increasingly deploying M2M and IoT technology for more strategic purposes to benefit from (amongst others): Improved decision making based on real-time data End-to-end device-to-data centre security Speed-to-market for new services and revenue streams Enterprises are aware of the challenges and opportunities associated with big data, and according to studies many CIOs are addressing these as priority in Analysts anticipate that increased M2M & IoT Enterprise deployments will dramatically add to big data volumes in the coming years, with this device fed data often being integral to business decision-making and service delivery. Whilst end-to-end security is now standard in M2M, with private APNs connecting to Enterprise class VPNs, this outsourcing of business critical data systems may not adhere to corporate IT policies. By integrating the M2M platform into the heart of the corporate data centre, it can be managed according to corporate IT policies and procedures. Speed-to-market relies upon having control over all elements of product development and launch. Whilst MNOs and MVNOs strive to respond to customer requirements in good time, complete control of the M2M platform is only achievable through ownership of a private platform as part of, and wholly within, the corporate IT environment. Leveraging Existing MNO Relationships With mobile telephony now a commodity, MNOs are increasingly keen to gain a footprint in the emerging M2M space, enabling them to gain expertise and experience in this rapidly growing market. Enterprise businesses that lease a private instance M2M platform are well placed to benefit from the favorable rates that MNO s can offer to large businesses. If a business chooses to connect directly with a mobile network, 8 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

9 they lease a private APN directly from an MNO (or multiple MNOs). The platform provider or the Enterprise business then commissions the platform accordingly, and all M2M traffic flows securely from the MNO s infrastructure directly onto and through the M2M platform, behind the corporate firewall. Clearly it is important that the chosen MNO(s) has the appropriate roaming agreements in place with other national and international MNOs to ensure coverage. As stated previously, businesses that lease a private instance of an M2M platform can outsource technical support and customer services (where the platform is deployed to provide M2M services to customers) to the platform provider. This may be the preferable option to enable speed of deployment and to ensure the level of support that Enterprise businesses demand, and strive to deliver to their customers. Hosting an M2M Platform within the Corporate Network Conclusion The strategic benefits associated with the analysis of data from an increasing number of remote sensors deployed by businesses are widely accepted, leading to the exponential growth in the number of remote M2M & IoT devices that many analysts are predicting. Whilst MNOs and MVNOs can provide secure bidirectional connectivity to these devices, Enterprise businesses may be better served by hosting a private M2M platform within their corporate data centre to ensure compliance with corporate IT policies. 9 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

10 With a private M2M platform, Enterprise businesses have complete control over their connectivity platform. Deployment of a proven platform enables them to manage their own device estates from within the corporate network and rapidly roll out new services to their customers. In previous decades the business world has been shaped and reshaped by the increasing ubiquity of computers, the internet, wireless access and the smart phone. Analysts agree that the coming years will see an explosion in numbers of connected devices, and with it, another period of rapid business evolution. The Enterprise market will be at the forefront of this change. Businesses that exploit this change will benefit from the new and innovative products and services that they will be able to offer. Leading businesses are already looking at likely market shifts and developments, and building the systems and processes necessary to develop valued products and services for their customers. These are the companies that will ride the crest of the IoT wave as it gathers pace. 10 Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.

11 About Arkessa Arkessa enables organisations of all sizes to monitor, manage and control remote devices through M2M (machine to machine) and IoT (Internet of Things) technology. We provide secure mobile connections direct to corporate networks, provide MVNOs and Enterprise businesses M2M platforms with a range of hosting options, and make it easy for organisations & developers to create IoT solutions. Our infrastructure reduces the cost and complexity associated with remote-device connectivity, whilst eliminating single points of failure across the entire chain from device to back end systems. It can be purchased as a cloud-hosted managed service or located on a private cloud or on-premise within a private corporate infrastructure. UK Headquarters German Office Arkessa Ltd Arkessa Ltd Calverley House Ludwig Erhard Straße 3 45 Dane Street Bergheim Bishop's Stortford Germany CM23 3BT UK +44 (0) sales@arkessa.com sales.de@arkessa.com Copyright 2014, Arkessa Ltd.