M2MAPPS: Can you summarize Axeda’s core competence?

BILL ZUJEWSKI: We’re a cloud based service company that focuses on m2m solutions. Our software collects data from devices in the field, transmits to a server where it is processed into real-time information. Standard stuff, but we also employ a rules engine and a set of APIs that enable easy integration of the data into mainstream applications, databases and enterprise service buses in order to optimize critical business processes. That’s an Axeda specialty.

M2MAPPS: What does integration bring to the table? What are the key benefits?

BILL ZUJEWSKI: There are two key benefits: the ability to cut costs and provide a superior service to customers. Let me give you an example. Remote maintenance is a well-known vertical solution. It monitors the performance of machines on factory floors or out in the field, which enables proactive maintenance, problems are detected before they occur. It also means that routine check-up visits are not needed, therefore customers get a good service and the service department has access to real-time information. When data becomes an integral part of the enterprise environment other departments benefit: the functionality of the vertical solution is leveraged. We process the data according to the rules that are set by the enterprise. This gives R&D valuable information that could be used to improve performance and reliability. It opens up sales opportunities for software and other upgrades. Finance can assess the profitability of different customer sites. Data can also be sent to a billing or supply chain management system in order to eliminate the mistakes that can come with manual processing.

M2MAPPS: The benefits are significant but what about the barriers?

BILL ZUJEWSKI: People are the main barrier: we have the requisite technology. As an industry we need to address the valid concerns of organizations such as hospitals. That will take time and maybe the industry could and should do a better educational job. We also need to talk the language of IT: we can’t expect them to know our industry and its somewhat arcane terminology. IT management’s focus is on mainstream, enterprise-wide applications like CRM and ERP, not vertical solutions. ICT is no longer seen as a cost center; the way that enterprises leverage the value of their m2m data is becoming an important competitive differentiator. And we need to involve C-level management in order to take m2m to the next level. One trend seems to be an increased focus that corporations have on shipping connected products that include applications for end-users to better manage operational assets and equipment. I call this corporate ecosystem of connected assets the Internet of Corporate Things. It’s the B2B subset of the Internet of Things.

M2MAPPS: How did you overcome those barriers?

BILL ZUJEWSKI: I’ve mentioned education, but let me flesh it out. We need to address security concerns head on and also go with the ICT flow, which is clearly heading towards cloud-centric computing and communicating. Axeda has gone down that path. As I said at the beginning, we’re a cloud based service company, which means that our customers subscribe to a service and pay a monthly fee. No capital expenditure is involved. I also mentioned the need to talk the language of IT, but we need to walk the walk as well. That means using relationship database technology, delivering Web services and employing RESTful APIs. And I’d like to add the fact that General Electric is doing a great educational job. Their TV spots promote the use of m2m technology, although it is not spelt out and that is a message that resonates with C-level management in other industries. If it works for GE then maybe it can work for me.

M2MAPPS: Can you take it to the next step? Use data visualization technology to analyze and display the results in real time.

BILL ZUJEWSKI: We can and do employ data visualization tools. The analysis of really Big m2m Data will typically involved storing it for several months in order to get a database that is big enough to provide accurate analysis. On the other hand we have one industrial customer who is collecting data from 300 devices every 30 seconds. This customer also needs to analyze 20 million rows of data so a big database builds up quickly. It runs into terabytes and petabytes and it keeps on flowing into enterprises 24/7 from numerous sources. Applying analytics therefore requires the latest, fastest technologies and this is where in-memory technology enters the equation. Disks are too slow: processing has to be done in RAM, which is about 1,000 times faster. Real-time or near real-time analysis is done using a different type of visualization tool. In this case a customer will typically be monitoring a physical parameter such as temperature and the tool will be used to display a trend and the solution will incorporate preset alarm levels. So if a bearing was starting to get too hot a preemptive message could be sent to the service department and maybe an order for a new bearing would be dispatched.

M2MAPPS: Last question. Where do you see the industry going in the next 18 months?

BILL ZUJEWSKI: We’re going to see a lot more embedded connectivity. It’s coming to cars as well as devices in the home, such as ehealth products. It’s a process that is generating a lot of media attention, but we should really see it as a leading-edge development. In 18-24 months it will be mainstream: something that we take for granted.