Abu Dhabi: “Machine-to-machine (M2M) technology will shape the future by laying the foundation for all spheres of life in the UAE,” said Abdullah Hashim, Senior Vice-President of ICT, Etisalat, one of the largest telecom operators in the Middle East and Africa.
Hashim’s comments came ahead of the telecom major’s inaugural M2M Middle East Forum 2013 that will be held in Dubai from 22-23 September. Through hosting the event, Etisalat has created the first large-scale discussion platform on machine-to-machine (M2M) technology in the UAE.
Through M2M communication, devices can exchange data automatically in real time without human intervention. This can drive innovation, create new revenue streams, shorten product cycles, increase agility and reduce costs. The reduction of energy costs, as a result of this, is also aligned with Etisalat’s focus on a sustainable future for the UAE.
Speaking about his keynote speech titled ‘Driving Sustainable Solutions in the UAE’, Hashim said, “Our business strategy to focus on machine-to-machine technology is aligned with the UAE’s vision of progressing from an oil-based economy to a knowledge-based and sustainable economy. Etisalat will showcase its key achievements in the M2M sector and set the stage for discussing ways that the technology can be harnessed to change the face of the future.”
The event will also feature a panel titled ‘How M2M Solution will shape the future in UAE’, which will examine case studies to highlight the success of M2M deployment projects. Panellists will include Sougata Nandi, CEO of Pacific Controls; Harish Nanjundaswamy, CTO of Higher Colleges of Technology, and David Brown, CEO of Fraser Hospitality.
“Placing major emphasis on M2M has been part of our business strategy. During the year, we have made significant progress in this direction with the continued success of the Emirates Energy Star project and the launch of the M2M Control Centre. During the panel discussion, we will highlight the way our partnerships have helped drive innovation in the UAE M2M market,” Hashim added.
Running across 83 buildings in the UAE, Etisalat’s M2M energy management program, Emirates Energy Star has registered significant energy savings, which has resulted in cutting costs by AED14.4 million and CO2 emissions by 23,698 tonnes in less than two years. Etisalat recently launched the M2M Control Centre that allows enterprise customers to activate, manage and rapidly scale connected device businesses or deployments. The M2M Control Centre will especially benefit businesses in verticals such as construction, infrastructure, retail and oil and gas. Etisalat has also developed fleet management solutions for several customers.
The two-day M2M Middle East Forum 2013, organized by DMG events, is expected to bring international enterprise leaders and M2M solution providers to share knowledge and explore new solutions that address industry challenges, improve enterprise operations and create a competitive edge. Discussion topics will additionally include remote monitoring and smart cities, enterprises, governance, grids, metering, healthcare, security and retailing.
