What is M2M and The Internet of Things?

To some, it sounds like the plot of a blockbuster Hollywood movie. Artificial Intelligence, machines taking over the world, home appliances communicating with each other…. But far from being the script of the next Steven Spielberg film, machine to machine (M2M) communication is already a reality in our every day lives. And, thanks to the ever-increasing powers of the Internet, it’s continually evolving into an increasingly more powerful presence.

What is M2M?

Machine to machine communication is as it sounds – two machines exchanging data without any human assistance, a linear communication channel that enables their work cycle. M2M networks are actually very similar to LAN or WAN networks, except they’re used exclusively to facilitate communication between machines, sensors, and controls. These devices collect information and feed it back to others in the network. An intelligent control unit then assesses the situation before giving appropriate instructions to the relevant device.

All of which sounds a little complicated, but it’s actually technology we use every day without really even being aware of it. Think about when you draw cash from an ATM, for example. The ATM receives authorisation to dispense your money – not from an actual person, but from another machine. You’ll also find M2M applications used extensively in the industrial world – devices send alerts to manufacturers’ smartphones when they need servicing, for example. M2M technology also helps industry keep track of the energy it uses, to help it regulate expenditure and act in an environmentally responsible manner.

What’s the Link Between M2M and The Internet of Things (IoT)?

In a nutshell, M2M makes IoT possible. Put another way, IoT is essentially the logical evolution of M2M technology. Whereas M2M is all about the links between machines, smartphones and appliances, IoT is all to do with integrating vast, cyber-based physical systems together. M2M is more hardware-based, while IoT is software-based.

Essentially, IoT builds on the foundations laid by M2M technology, taking it to the next level, and then some. This is particularly evident where home-based tech is concerned. Big-name manufacturers such as Samsung and LG are already introducing smart home appliances aimed at making our lives easier and stress-free. The humble washing machine, for example, could send an alert to your smartphone when its cycle is finished. Or your IoT-enabled fridge could order groceries from your local supermarket when its current inventory is used up.

The potential applications are huge. Using an app on your phone, you could turn your lights on or off, for example, or control your air-conditioning or heating systems so that your home is at the desired temperature when you come home from work.

Of course, M2M and IoT technology can do far more than simplify our lives – it could also help save them. In the healthcare industry, for example, devices are capable of reacting far faster in an emergency situation than a human could. When a patient’s vital signs drop below a predetermined level, smart life support machinery could automatically increase oxygen or provide other assistance until a human healthcare professional arrives. This kind of technology could also make home-based healthcare a reality for thousands of patients, taking massive pressure off our hospitals and care centres.

IoT – A Trillion Dollar Industry

The almost limitless applications of M2M and IoT technology are what help make it such a massive industry. According to Forbes, reporting on information from PwC, a staggering six trillion Dollars will have been spent on IoT from 2015 to 2020. Consumer spending on IoT solutions will rise to over $230 billion during the same period. Globally, the IoT market will be worth $457 billion by 2020 – a 28.5% increase from 2016.

Industry analysts predict that in the foreseeable future, all devices will be able to connect to the Cloud. Some may see this as a brave and perhaps overly optimistic statement. But many others believe it to be one hundred percent accurate. More and more, consumers and business owners demand and expect deeper and more functional connectivity. Technology has no choice but to respond. We can expect an ever-widening range of highly automated processes, improving productivity and service delivery in the workplace, and enhancing our quality of life at home.

Is your current connectivity provider future-ready? Can it keep up with the exponential growth in all things Internet? An always-on, solid and reliable connection is essential to take advantage of everything M2M and IoT have to offer. Don’t get left behind. The future is happening, make sure you’re ready. Chat to Huge Connect today. We’re here to make IoT happen for you.