A hot topic in the computing world today, wireless machine-to-machine (or M2M) interfaces represent an increasingly prevalent technology that is coming to dominate the new generation of computers that, thanks to lower production costs and technological developments, can be found in devices as commonplace as a mattress.
Although wireless M2M technology is currently cutting-edge, its precedents have been implemented for several decades. According to Paul Rako[1], the early space program used radio telemetry – a technology that allows the remote measurement and reporting of information to the system operator (Wikipedia[2]) – in order to send data from space back to NASA and control the signals to the spacecraft without human intervention. More recently, the term “telemetry” has been replaced by “telematics,” which, according to Rako, covers the technology’s applications in entertainment and navigation, as well as its emergency uses. General Motors, for example, has broken ground on this concept with its OnStar service.
Wireless M2M networks represent a convergence among several other emerging technology, such as spread-spectrum wireless, embedded processors, and network-routing protocols, for this reason, the market for M2M technology is the subject of much publicity and excitement. The prediction, as Rako explains, is that a wireless M2M network “will allow communication between a light switch and a refrigerator,” presumably amongst other things. In short, as Alex Brisbourne[3] states, M2M technology essentially consists of machines “talking” to other machines.
The implications for businesses (and society as a whole) are much more significant. Wireless M2M interfaces effectively allow for the elimination of the human element in data communication, as machines will become capable of analyzing the data on the Web, and when this is made possible, as stated by Tim Berners-Lee, “the day-to-day mechanisms of trade, bureaucracy, and our daily lives will be handled by machines talking to machines, leaving humans to provide the inspiration and intuition.”
The implementation of M2M technology has distinct advantages and disadvantages for business organization. It could have, for example, tremendous potential when used in conjunction with supply chain management (SCM) systems or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software in order to fully and remotely automate communications between the business and its suppliers or distributors, for instance, by “sensing” what data should be communicated, and when. Should this process become automated, the business would see a reduction in operating costs as the human component of SCM (i.e. recording and transmitting data through the system) is virtually eliminated, and a higher degree of efficiency as machine replaced man. However, on that note, the business would effectively be entrusting its daily operations to a machine incapable of understanding the subtleties of the organizations objectives, and would therefore be exposing itself to “miscalculations” on the part of the computer. There is also a certain degree of risk associated with any wireless technology since the network (M2M, in this case) can be hacked. The business must be prepared to address these security issues before it commits to the use of such technology.
According to Wikipedia[4], the market for M2M technology is expected to rapidly expand between now and 2010, the 2010 world market potentially exceeding $300 billion in annual revenue. Should the market reach its expected size, society will have to consider the impact of this technology on the workforce, the workplace, and the role of government in our daily lives.
[1] Rako, P. (2007). “Hop, jump, and spread: wireless machine-to-machine interfaces.” EDN, 52(12). Retrieved September 19, 2007, from ProQuest database.
[2] Telemetry. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemetry
[3] Brisbourne, A. (2007). Rise of the machines. The American City & County, 122(9). Retrieved September 19, 2007, from ProQuest database.
[4] Machine to Machine. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_to_Machine
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