Look who’s texting, too!

It started with kids, then went on to the grown-ups. Now, machines are texting each other, too.

Though it may sound new, "machine-to-machine," in principle, is no different from text messaging. It uses the same wireless technology and transmits information in the same form, except that, as the name implies, human involvement is not exactly front and center in the M2M world.

"The basic idea behind M2M is to streamline the way data are collected from machines or equipment, and integrated into a central information system without having to rely on people to do anything manually along the way," says Facilities and Protection Inc. (FPI) president Ariel de la Cruz. FPI is one of the pioneering system integrators in the country specializing on M2M.

To enable a human-less interaction in M2M, tiny cellular radios or "sensors" are installed on machines such as computers, consumer devices or even vehicles. Once fitted, the devices could send status reports or "cries for help" using wireless technologies like GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or even Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

The technology responsible for making communications between machines possible is the M2M infrastructure: sensors serving up the data, the modems sending them out, the networks moving them from place to place, and a middleware that turns raw machine data into information companies can use to make decisions and automate business processes, De la Cruz explains.

"M2M couldn’t work with any of those absent," the FPI executive stresses.

The M2M infrastructure has opened up fresh opportunities for equipment makers and mobile phone operators around the world. Companies like Nokia and Sony Ericsson have been cashing in on cellular sensors, while operators like Sprint PCS Group are expecting to rake in millions of dollars in fresh revenues in transmitting M2M data.

Research company Focal Point estimates carriers could score $2.5 billion in revenues this year and $10 billion in 2008 from transmitting M2M data, while the total M2M communications is expected to drive a $180-billion annual business in hardware, software and services, up from about $40 billion today.

Early adopter

In the Philippines, instead of merely pushing the technology, leading wireless service provider Smart Communications Inc. is leading M2M adoption. In October 2003, Smart went live with its very own M2M system, marking the first-ever M2M deployment in the whole of Asia.

"Our aim then was to enhance our management and monitoring capabilities of our cell sites," says Ramoncito Fernandez, head of Smart’s Administration and Materials Management Division. The initial rollout involved networking 500 of the company’s cell sites and linking them to a central command center.

To put up this end-to-end system, the company partnered with FPI and solution providers Nokia, Opto 22, Computer Associates, GE Interlogix and Vision Systems.

The system works by first establishing the connection between the cell sites’ tower systems and equipment with Smart’s network operation center using Opto 22 sensors. Via GPRS, real-time data could then be transmitted between these remote points.

At the network operation center, Computer Associates’ Unicenter management software plots and consolidates all data pertaining to tower facilities and security equipment for easy monitoring.

"We have defined operational parameters for our towers and established alarms and notification guidelines should conditions fall out of specs," Fernandez says. "These systems have helped us in areas such as security and regulatory compliance reporting, and have increased our ability to respond to any changes in our cell sites." Fernandez says the company’s M2M solution has brought significant cost-savings by reducing man hours spent on on-site monitoring and increasing asset life span through preventive maintenance.

Before the M2M solution from FPI, Smart had to hire armed security guards to monitor the cell sites’ towers. The system helps the company remotely monitor the sites.

"The system works by using two sets of alarms. If a security alarm is triggered, a notification pops up on a console at the network operations center where there is a call-up list that determines who to call. In case of a fire alarm, for instance, the call is routed to the fire department," FPI’s De la Cruz says. "We also have output and input displays set up so that we can start and stop the airconditioners at any time," he adds.

M2M powerhouse

Just like SMS, M2M has started to create big waves, pushing the Philippines to the fore of global wireless technology adoption.

With Smart pioneering the adoption of M2M applications, the Philippines is once again reaffirming its leadership in embracing ground-breaking applications in wireless technology.

From being the SMS capital of the world, the country is well on its way to becoming the M2M powerhouse of Asia. To date, no other company is Asia has rolled out an M2M system comparable to Smart’s.

In fact, the company received the highest citation for the most outstanding M2M implementation in the Telecommunications in the M2M Value Chain Awards. Held in Chicago, Illinois in June, the awards program was organized by the US-based publication M2M Magazine.

"Clearly, this M2M Value Chain award positions Smart as a technology leader not only in the Philippine mobile market, but in the global telecommunications arena as well," Smart president and CEO Napoleon Nazareno says.

Nazareno says the award is also a clear testament of how a country such as the Philippines can take the lead in adopting innovative wireless applications.

M2M Magazine director Peggy Smedley shares the same view. "The only question that remains is how long it will take companies in the United States to catch up with their international counterparts," she says. "While those of us in the US are just beginning to realize the true benefits of machine-to-machine technology, many of our friends overseas have been taking full advantage of what this advanced technology has to offer."

Smedley cites companies like Smart which are taking M2M to the next level, adopting it in almost every application – from protecting equipment to monitoring machines, even managing exit signs.

"Text messaging has positioned the Philippines on the global technology map as the ‘Texting Capital of the World.’ With M2M, we are further strengthening this position, except that now, machines, too, are texting," Nazareno says.