Securely connect departments, branches, and beyond with digital innovation
You cannot be everywhere at once, which is why you hire people to manage aspects of your business in different places. They act on your behalf, provide feedback, and keep important tasks going.
This capability doesn’t stop with humans. Internet of Things (IoT) devices offer valuable roles as well. They provide security through camera feeds, check fridge temperatures, count visitors at stores, track delivery vehicles, and much more, sending insights back to other parts of your organisation.
IoT services require stable and secure network connections, for which the best answer is an access point name (APN). An APN securely connects IoT devices with systems and people, creating smart business operations.
Making business smarter
Companies rely on many machines and devices. But managing those machines drains productive hours, and many companies don’t get full advantage from them.
IoT services provide the answer, making machines smarter and opening the door to strategic intelligence, predictive analytics, and automation. The data from sensors predict maintenance intervals for valuable machinery, conduct automatic stock takes in warehouses, and measure valuable resources such as water and power consumption. There are IoT benefits for practically every type of business.
An IoT solution combines several devices and services that collectively deliver on several tasks. A sensor will gather data from a machine. A local (also called edge) system cleans and compiles the data, sending it via a gateway to a remote system such as a cloud server. Software and artificial intelligence interpret the data for automated processes, dashboards, and reports.
The combined power of IoT and a trusted network
Most business decision-makers are aware of IoT’s potential. But they delay it because of other concerns, such as data privacy, security, inadequate infrastructure, and the knowledge and means to get the most from the IoT data. However, leading solution providers such as Vodacom Business have the technology and expertise to tackle such concerns.
This is where the APN’s magic comes in. An IoT device can work on any internet connection. However, an APN has several major advantages.
It uses cellular connectivity, so a device doesn’t have to connect to a site network, WiFi, or nearby fibre lines. APNs create exclusive business networks that only authorised devices can access. They send encrypted data to specific hosts, radically reducing the risk of hacks and data leaks. Crucially, the customer business has full control over costs and bandwidth usage, ensuring that there aren’t runaway connectivity bills.
An APN is essentially a private cellular channel exclusive to a business. It closes and protects the loop between IoT devices and the software and users that rely on their output.
It starts with the right partner
IoT shines when it combines with secure connectivity, backed by IoT experts and other advantages such as dedicated customer support, scalable and affordable deployment, reliable value generation, and continued digital innovation.
But not everyone can deliver on that promise. The right partner has the expertise, network, reach, and focus to deliver IoT solutions at every level, from small businesses to global enterprises. They know how to make IoT happen at scale and help their customers create smarter businesses.
Vodacom Business has helped thousands of businesses to exploit the benefits of secure and value-creating IoT services, ranging from agriculture and transportation to industry, mining, retail, and utilities. Within the Vodacom family are IoT specialists such as IoT.nxt and Mezzanine, creating proven and reliable IoT solutions. They align those services to customer requirements, connecting the devices to Vodacom’s national network.
The future promise of IoT is here. Go with the right provider, such as Vodacom Business, and start reaping IoT’s benefits today.
