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Spark Digital launches new cloud platform; offers keys to the Internet of Things Spark Digital launches new cloud platform(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 14 August 2014 Release date- 13082014 - Auckland- Fresh from Gen-i's re-launch as Spark Digital, the company has launched a new cloud platform that helps businesses to automate machine-to-machine (M2M) deployments. Called Connected Mobility, the new service unleashes the Internet of Things (IOT) for businesses that need to manage smart objects in a wide range of environments. Based on Jasper's global-leading Control Centre Platform, Connected Mobility gives customers the real-time visibility and control they need to launch, manage and scale connected service businesses. In addition, a new partnership with ThingWorx means Connected Mobility customers can take advantage of a powerful rapid application development platform to build apps that connect systems, sensors and devices. Spark Digital Head of Mobility Richard Adams said that objects - everything from vehicles to medical devices, cars and buildings - would generate tens of billions of new connections* worth trillions of dollars globally by 2020**. 'We're already surrounded by intelligent sensors that measure environments, personal gadgets and appliances. M2M services like Connected Mobility extend this idea and provide businesses with remarkable control over product and service experiences,' said Adams. He said that while New Zealand businesses are moving to connect their physical world and include this information in their networks, they're often frustrated by having to physically manage individual objects. 'Businesses are essentially running blind. They must shift to automated systems that provide better visibility and control. Self-service is key,' said Adams. He said several Spark Digital customers and resellers who used the Jasper M2M platform to manage vehicle tracking and healthcare services in other countries were keen to use Connected Mobility, adding their New Zealand operations to a single, global platform. New Zealand telematics solutions provider International Telematics Limited (ITL), whose ibright platform is used to monitor vehicle fleets around the world, is gearing up to promote Connected Mobility to New Zealand customers and resellers. ITL spokesperson Geoff Fowke said at least 2,000 SIMs connected to fleets monitored by ibright were managed on the Jasper M2M platform. 'We're thrilled that the Jasper platform will be available to our New Zealand customers. It nails the pain-points for our business and provides automation and controls essential to smart service providers like ITL,' said Fowke. Jasper Chief Revenue Officer Cindy Patterson said the new service will make it possible for customers to quickly and cost-effectively get their IoT initiatives up and running. 'Innovative operators like Spark Digital are unlocking new business opportunities for their customers in New Zealand.' The foundation of Spark Digital's Connected Mobility service is a cloud-based control centre, where administrators launch and manage thousands of mobile SIMs contained in physical objects and devices. Simple controls and rules mean new SIMs can be tested and activated, rate plan changes can kick in automatically if data caps are exceeded, and alerts can be sent if connections are lost. 'We're providing businesses with autopilot controls that will streamline SIM management,' said Adams. 'We expect they'll be able to solve 90 per cent of their own support questions, getting their objects back online faster and providing a more reliable service.' He said services like Connected Mobility would increasingly underpin New Zealand businesses, which are under pressure to provide richer service experiences. Medical device makers had been quick on the uptake, said Adams, incorporating sensors to remotely monitor patient conditions and generate alerts for proactive intervention. Connected Mobility offers considerable advantages over current New Zealand offerings, said Adams. 'Traditional solutions use a connectivity portal to provision SIMs and change rate plans - there are no automatic adjustments and limited diagnostic capabilities,' he said. 'Mobile carriers around the world don't work to a global standard. With Jasper, we have a layer that manages the details of each carrier to automatically adjust rate plans and data handling. It operates as your eyes and ears, making predetermined adjustments for you.' Later this year Spark Digital said it plans to add new capabilities to Connected Mobility, including voice, 4G LTE integration and soon after, a global SIM offering. *50 billion machine-to-machine connections by 2020: Cisco. http://newsroom.cisco.com/feature-content?articleId=1208342 **http://www.computerworld.co.nz/article/551618/pwc_iot_will_become_multitrillion-dollar_market_by_2020/?fp=16&fpid=1 About Spark Digital Spark Digital is a proud member of the Spark New Zealand family. Our solutions for business, enterprise and government clients help them to meet the demands of increasingly connected customers. Spark Digital has invested significantly to build digital platforms that help New Zealand organisations to unleash their potential. Our core services include cloud, collaboration, managed services, mobility, network, and security. Learn more: www.sparkdigital.co.nz About Jasper Technologies, Inc. Becoming a connected business means becoming a service business. And that's where Jasper comes in. Jasper, the pioneer in cloud-based platforms for the Internet of Things (IoT), empowers enterprises and mobile operators of all sizes to launch, manage and monetise successful IoT service businesses on a global scale. More than 1,000 companies, including many of the world's top brands, have chosen Jasper to fast-track their connected businesses. 21 mobile operator groups worldwide, representing over 100 network affiliates, partner with Jasper. Founded in 2004, Jasper is based in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit www.jasper.com or follow us on Twitter @Jasper_IoT. About ThingWorx, a PTC Business ThingWorxTM, a PTC (Nasdaq: PTC) business, provides the first platform designed to efficiently build and run the applications of today's connected world. ThingWorx's model-based design and search-based intelligence simplifies application development efforts by minimizing cost, and risk while accelerating time to value. The ThingWorx platform combines the key functionality of Web 2.0, search, and social collaboration, and applies it to the world of 'things', including connected products, machines, sensors, systems, and industrial equipment. Businesses use the ThingWorx platform to rapidly deliver innovative applications and connected solutions across markets ranging from manufacturing, energy, and food, to Machine-to-Machine (M2M) remote monitoring and service, as well as in emerging Internet of Things applications, including smart cities, smart grid, agriculture, and transportation. For more information, please visit our website at www.thingworx.com and our blog at www.thingworx.com/blog or follow us on Twitter at @ThingWorx. - See more at: http://www.thingworx.com/2014/07/thingworx-delivers-advanced-software-pl... Contact Richard Carter 021 526-559 (c) 2014 Electronic News Publishing - |