Dutch telecom provider KPN is working with Sierra Wireless to offer customers a comprehensive M2M solution that brings new connected device applications to market faster, at lower cost.

KPN, the leading telecommunications and ICT service provider in The Netherlands, and Sierra Wireless, a leading provider of mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions, today announced a new collaboration to offer a comprehensive M2M services solution.

The offering combines KPN’s high quality of service and M2M expertise with Sierra Wireless’ M2M device leadership and innovative AirVantage™ Services Platform. It goes beyond existing services that address just one piece of the total M2M puzzle, and provides equipment manufacturers and connected solution providers with the ability to rapidly develop, deploy, operate and manage connected hardware, software and network services using a complete M2M cloud platform.

This rich M2M cloud platform will allow KPN’s customers to significantly simplify the development of M2M applications, allowing them to reduce the time, cost and effort required to bring new M2M applications and services to market.

Bringing New Solutions to Market

KPN and Sierra Wireless will jointly market the AirVantage Platform and KPN’s M2M services. Companies building connected devices and applications can control their entire solution from a single user interface, under a single billing arrangement.

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy infrastructure and management, is the first customer to take advantage of the new KPN/Sierra Wireless M2M cloud platform. The company is launching a line of connected charging stations to support the new wave of electric vehicles in Europe.

The KPN/Sierra Wireless M2M cloud platform will allow Schneider Electric to manage charging stations in the field as part of a single system. It will also facilitate the rapid development of applications for their use—including power monitoring, billing, charging station reservations or any other capability that could benefit Schneider Electric customers.

For example, the AirVantage Platform’s Smart Automation extension simplifies the configuration and connection to the charging stations using a standard industrial protocol. As a result, Schneider Electric can readily integrate cellular communications into its charging station and build new features into its charging station application, without having to develop the underlying M2M communications infrastructure or support tools.

“The combination of AirVantage Platform, Smart Automation and KPN’s network and services gives us a unified operations platform to manage communications, subscriptions and the stations themselves,” says Nicolas Descazeaud, Electric Vehicle Programme Director at Schneider Electric. “Having all of that in a single system, from a single source, translates directly into faster time-to-market for our solution.”

Comprehensive M2M Application Services

Machine-to-machine services represent a rapidly growing market for both network operators and providers of vertical applications. A growing array of connected devices—including power meters, pipelines, wireless point-of-sale terminals, and consumer electronics like e-book readers, photo frames and navigation devices—are leading the way to a new generation of connected applications. By remotely monitoring and communicating with such assets, equipment manufacturers and M2M solution providers can enable new services and efficiencies.

KPN has been a pioneer in the M2M market, helping its customers in developing joint propositions to speed up their business. Now, by collaborating with Sierra Wireless, KPN offers the complete M2M application infrastructure, enabling equipment manufacturers and solution providers to focus on developing innovative connected M2M applications faster.

The new M2M platform integrates KPN’s existing subscription management web services, the KPN Control Center, with AirVantage Operating Portal subscription management, device management and asset management services. With AirVantage, customers can manage and control their wireless communication devices and the attached assets (the connected machine or device from which information is collected), through a single web interface.

“KPN is always looking for the best possibilities in the M2M market to build business together with our customers,” says Kim Bybjerg, Managing Director KPN M2M. “With the integration of the AirVantage Platform into our offering, we can simplify the process of developing, deploying and operating connected-device applications”

“The growing connected-device market represents an enormous opportunity for KPN,” says Emmanuel Walckenaer, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Solutions and Services for Sierra Wireless. “With our combined strengths, we believe we can offer a compelling set of tools for any connected-device service, and help fuel the continued expansion of M2M services inEurope.”

KPN Control Center

The KPN Control Center is part of the KPN M2M offering, which combines KPNs high quality network and extensive network of roaming partners into a pan-European solution built to help customers develop their connected business. The KPN Control Center provides the customer with visibility and control over their connected devices globally—from real-time monitoring of data usage and connectivity to instant deactivation capabilities when devices are retired or stolen. It also offers KPN and their customers the flexibility to build a business model that fits around the customer’s business.

Sierra Wireless AirVantage Platform

The Sierra Wireless AirVantage Platform is a secure cloud platform that enables M2M solution providers, system integrators and network operators to rapidly develop, deploy and operate M2M applications and services. The AirVantage Platform includes comprehensive applications to manage cellular subscriptions, communications devices and their attached assets (such as components in machines, telemetric devices in automobiles and monitoring devices in a home or office); a powerful set of M2M application development tools; and an open web services application programming interface (API). The AirVantage Platform lets wireless network operators extend operational support and application development and management features to their M2M service providers.