Machine-to-machine data services now at Orange

Telecoms giant Orange has set up a Business Solutions division to drive the adoption of business data services through its network, including machine-to-machine data. Speaking at last month’s E-World Manufacturing & Production conference, Julian Phillips, head of customer solutions Orange UK said: “We now want to develop strategic IT partnerships with major European businesses by leveraging our existing network to offer them data services as well as voice services.” He said the new division would target three sectors: healthcare is one, the other two he didn’t reveal but hinted that one of these could be manufacturing and production. “We can offer machine-to-machine data services [telemetry] which allows managers to monitor and control their plant and machines in real time… We can connect data from disparate intelligent devices to companies’ critical business applications through a single, secure, reliable information gateway [the Orange network].” Two types of business are likely to benefit from Orange’s latest offerings. First, those firms that have a high volume of fixed assets (lighting, meters, plant and buildings) that require management, monitoring and maintenance. They could benefit from lower operating costs as a result of better management information, improved long term planning from knowing which machines are being used and when, and which products are the most popular. And second, those companies with a high number of mobile assets that need locating, scheduling, tracking and optimising, including haulage firms, couriers, emergency services and public transport. Central operations can monitor the location and performance of vehicle fleets for example. And delivery timings can also be monitored so companies can calculate how far away an individual vehicle is from delivering goods to the customer, sometimes critical to business success.