Every day, our world is becoming more connected. Access to the Internet doesn’t just fall on our phones, computers and tablets – thermostats, refrigerators, cars and even cities are all examples of everyday things that are becoming enabled with wireless connections. The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) represents a growth in machine to machine technology, or all of these devices, or things, communicating with each other.

But M2M technology can be applied to a wide range of use cases. The Internet of Things can apply to consumer-facing applications, but M2M can also be used for more robust scenarios on the other end of the spectrum, like manufacturing and the use of the Industrial Internet.

M2M technology starts with embedding sensors and other advanced technology to machines around us. This technology fuels the growth of a lot of data; data that can be used to improve machine performance and efficiency of systems and networks that link them.

However, it doesn’t make sense to use the same devices for M2M communication you would use as a consumer for your industrial M2M needs. Consumer Wi-Fi devices have a lot of issues that make them more difficult for use in more complicated, business-critical scenarios. For example, short product lifecycles, low tolerance for difficult climate conditions and a lack of technical support are all factors that hinder consumer-grade devices from being suitable for more robust M2M applications, such as remote maintenance, monitoring and tracking.

In an upcoming webinar, Don Miller, senior product marketing manager at Multi-Tech (News - Alert) Systems, a provider of machine to machine technology and communications solutions, will discuss the key differentiators in the M2M cellular modem space and outline the differences between consumer-grade modems and industrial modems.

Multi-Tech offers a variety of M2M products and services, including device networking, embedded device networking, unified communications and open communications gateways. It serves customers in the transportation, energy, healthcare, financial and retail industries.

The webinar, “Can You Really Afford Free? Why consumer-grade wireless devices aren’t right for M2M,” will cover how to differentiate a consumer-grade modem versus an industrial-grade modem built for M2M, different technology options that can best meet timelines and budgets, the true costs associated with consumer products, examples of real companies that started with free modems and switched, and how to maximize investment in the right products.

Join Miller and Crossfire Media’s Carl Ford (News - Alert) on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT for the webinar to learn about the differences between consumer-grade modems and industrial modems and how they can impact your business. Click hereto register.