The IoT M2M Council, comprised of 25,000 enterprise users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that purchase solutions for connecting remote devices, developed its Request for Proposals (RFP) using an open-source, wiki-based process, with input from numerous vendors and more than 100 IoT product buyers. Hewlett Packard Enterprise® (HPE) and Wind River® (an Intel subsidiary), both members of the IMC Board of Directors, are among the initial sponsors of the program, and the group is inviting other platform providers to join.
“The number of IoT platforms has grown at a breakneck pace, and it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed. We have excellent quantitative data indicating that these kinds of hands-on procurement tools will be very important in the software search,” said Volkhard Bregulla, vice president of International Manufacturing and Distribution at HPE and a representative on the IMC Board of Trustees. “We surveyed more than 100 front-line members, and 100% of the buyers said they would find the template useful. We’re going to test the concept and then follow up with RFPs for connectivity services and hardware.”
The RFP and evaluation reports offer in-depth insights into device management, connectivity management, data analytics, and security, among other features. Potential buyers receive a summary of each platform's strengths and weaknesses, along with anonymous user testimonials and the results of a trial conducted by an independent consulting firm. Participating vendors will pay a fee to cover evaluation costs and then benefit from a two-year customer acquisition program that includes quarterly educational webinars to support IoT buyers.
Keith Shea, vice president and general manager of Wind River Helix IoT Solutions Group, commented, "The IMC program creates a win-win situation for IoT technology adoption by helping buyers find the right technology solution and accelerating the long and arduous RFP process." IoT software platform providers interested in registering for the program can learn more at http://www.iotm2mcouncil.org/modelrfp.
About the IoT M2M Council (IMC):
The London-based IMC is the largest and fastest-growing trade group dedicated to the global IoT/M2M industry, with over 25,000 members as of February 2014. Some of the companies on its Board of Directors include Aeris, Avnet, Digi International, HPE, Ingenu, Inmarsat, Intel, KORE, Laird Corp., ORBCOMM, MultiTech, PTC, Re-Teck, Semtech, SIGFOX, Telit, u-blox, Verizon, and Vodafone.
