GeoM2M promises to revolutionise Machine to Machine (M2M) communications by removing the latency, message delivery and connectivity problems inherent in traditional GPRS, 3G or SMS data transfers.
Ed Neal, managing director says “GeoM2M can be used in thousands of applications where machines need to communicate with each other. The system is currently being used in tracking devices, flood alert systems and storage tank level monitoring. Whilst some M2M data communication needs are currently being satisfied using SMS and mobile data, our research has shown that traditional GPRS and 3G data connections are unstable and can be hard to establish, particularly in remote areas. Problems can also occur if the device is located overseas or if the mobile device is using a foreign network on a roaming basis. This means data delivery is not guaranteed and can mean critical communications are delayed or lost.
“We believe we have truly globalised M2M data transfer by removing all roaming charges. This means the customer has full control of their costs no matter where their device is located in the world.”
GeoSIM’s service only requires a mobile phone signal to operate. It does not need SMS or a mobile data connection. When using GeoM2M, data is transmitted in data packets no longer then SMS text messages. The data is sent from the remote device directly to the customer’s server and takes less than a few seconds, regardless of device location.
Mr Neal added “GeoSIM has been a world leader in mobile roaming charge cost reduction for over seven years. Our GeoSIM global SIM card naturally lends itself to the M2M sector as it roams on multiple networks. GeoSIMs are already being used for M2M applications very successfully and we see the GeoM2M as the next step”
With fixed costs, the pocket-friendly machine to machine communications solution is already being used in a number of applications in the UK and throughout Europe. Early adopters have put the system to work in applications as diverse as flood warning systems and GPS tracking devices. In the flood warning system, GeoM2M communications are being used to send water level readings to the customer’s server at regular intervals. This is allowing the client to monitor levels and issue flood warnings when the water level start to rise.
Demonstrating the technology’s usefulness as a reliable and robust GPS tracker, GeoSIM programmed a standard GPS tracking device fitted to London Marathon runner James Slootweg in this year’s event, using its GeoM2M solution. The GPS tracker was configured to send Slootweg’s position every minute using SMS, GPRS and GeoM2M. A post race analysis of results showed that due to network congestion, only 60% of the positions sent by GPRS were received. SMS faired a little better, but messages suffered from some delay in being delivered. In contrast, all positions sent by GeoM2M were received with minimal delay using the GeoSIM solution.