The entire world is just enthralled by the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT), but majority of people are not aware of the fact that effective communication between devices in the form of machine-to-machine (M2M) systems is not a new phenomenon to watch out for. The M2M technology has existed for more than a century now and is a vital part of our professional and personal lives.

The evolution of M2M solutions has been both steady and shocking at the same time. Beginning with the telemetry solutions in mid 1800s, M2M technology has made a colossal leap into the IoT solutions of today.

Journey of M2M Technology

Telemetry (1845-1900s)

The history of M2M solutions began with the use of data transmission systems by the Russian Army in 1845. It was the most basic form of a wired data transfer network. It was then followed by the onset of two-way radio networks in the 1900s. This technology rapidly moved from telephone lines to weather balloons to the aerospace telemetry throughout the mid-90s. In 1973, IBM launched its first main frame computers (IBM 3650 and 3660). This further brought about a technology wave that came with innovations like caller Ids, electrical consumption meters, and single processing chips.

M2M Systems (1990s-2010)

The next generation of M2M technology came into limelight with the introduction of GSM data connectivity on mobile phones in 1995. By the year 1997, wireless connectivity gained in popularity and identified numerous applications varying from vending machines to telemedicine. Moreover, the RFID technology became mainstream in the mid-1990s. Evolution of M2M solutions based on the analog connectivity reached to its prime in 2010 and the technology was on the verge of a digital revolution.

Internet of Things (2010- Present)

IoT is considered as the latest part in the history of M2M systems. The basic connectivity principles were the same but the technology evolved significantly. In 2012, cloud computing gained a lot of popularity that further contributed considerably towards the feasibility of the today’s IoT solutions.  2013-2014 marked the onset of sensor based IoT devices like thermostats and home lighting. However, with tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft putting their efforts behind IoT, the future of M2M systems seems very promising.

The M2M Boundless Opportunities

As it is clearly visible, M2M opportunities are countless and boundless: right from cost savings and process optimization to new product development. For organizations to achieve the greatest value, it is very important to understand how exactly your business might convert M2M data into valuable and meaningful insight to enhance business performance.

M2M opportunities emerge at the intersection of a data resource and a business objective. More the data resources you have, more opportunities come up.

Welcome to the Future of M2M Technology

M2M technology is set to reach 200 billion US dollars in revenue terms by the year 2020 and seems to have a promising future. However, the two key trends that are leading to the widespread adoption of M2M including falling costs of sensors and the commonness of low-cost wireless networks, which further makes communication between things available to everyone.

M2M systems are anticipated to account for 40% of the total generated by 2020. And it is expected that the number of machine sensors is expected to increase from 40 billion to 2 trillion in the years to come. And, all this limelight might be drawn by the new-age term Internet of Things, but M2M solutions will continue be used as the hardworking and the efficacious backbone of this technology.