The Field Service News editorial team offer analysis on the stories circling in the service sector...
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Feb 04, 2020 • Features • Astea • future of field service • Nokia • WEBFLEET • bybox • IFS
The Field Service News editorial team offer analysis on the stories circling in the service sector...
As IFS finally completed its full acquisition of Astea, Mark Glover ponders the challenges ahead for Marne Martin, who is tasked with overseeing the transition...
It’s not new news, but IFS finally completing its acquisition of Astea, following the announcement the pair had signed a definitive agreement in October, meant a fresh press release pinging into Field Service News’ inbox confirming a deal that many had been predicting for a while.
As is the form for acquisition announcements the release took a postive angle, explaining what benefits the merger will bring to IFS and its customer base. “With the acquisition of Astea, IFS has strengthened and deepened its ability to help customers innovate in field service and service management,” affirmed Nicole French, VP and Analyst at Constellation Research in a quote taken from the release. Delivering innovation to its customer base falls sqaurely on the shoulders of IFS’ Marne Martin, who is set to assume leadership of Astea, taking the reins from Zack Bergreen, who founded the company in 1979.
In an interview with Martin, just after the confirmation announcement in December, I asked how the dynamic between the pair will operate through the transitionary period. However, in response she reveals the pair could have been working together seven years ago. “I’ve known him since 2013, when I tried to convince him to merge with ServicePower,” she recalls.
“Customers reach out to him [Bergreen] and that’s a great conduit because he and I can compare notes around customers.Hopefully they’re hearing hearing the messages that we’re trying to speak to them about.”
Martin is no stranger to acquisitions, being at the helm of ServicePower when it merged with IFS in 2017, but three years on and this time absorbing a company that has a dedicated, loyal and expectant customer-base, the task ahead could be one of her biggest challenges to-date.
The full interview with Marne Martin will be published Thursday 5 February.
... and Field Service News’ Editor-in-Chief, Kris Oldland, also reflects on what the big stories in the news are for him...
For me the most exciting story that leaps out of our news round-up this month is that Nokia are entering the race to solve the headaches of last mile delivery.
This story albeit just a tempting snippet and a glimpse of a potential solution will come as very welcome news to all field service providers as the challenges of inner-city congestion are just set to worsen as we enter the third decade of the twentieth century.
Not only does the introduction of a company with a history of pioneering innovation entering this arena to solve what I fear may be the biggest challenge of the coming years for field service companies bode well for overcoming this challenge. They are also looking to fix it with cute little delivery robots.
Finally, the year 2020 is living up to its billing of being ‘the future’. I might even get the personal jet pack I’ve been dreaming of since I was 11 at some point in the next few years as well!
In terms, of industry trends I think that the move by WebFleet to introduce a sustainability initiative is not only smart but also a likely sign of things to come. Indeed, I was discussing this exact topic with Rich Agostinelli’s the new CEO of ByBox recently (look out for that discussion in an upcoming edition of the Field Service Podcast) and I think we will see plenty of companies across the next year tapping into the ‘green dollar.’
As I mentioned to Rich, it may be that I am just a bit of a cynical old man, but I think the true driver behind much of the moves towards more sustainable operations will still inevitably be economic rather than some sudden shift in the corporate mindset to save the world.
However, given the current high focus on the well intentioned, but somewhat naive actions of the likes of Extinction Rebellion and their teen messiah Greta Thunberg, the societal pressure for businesses to at least be seen to be focussing on green issues are moving from huge to enormous. However, the fact is that solutions like ByBox’s overnight delivery services ultimately reduce costs and increase efficiency within a field service operation, whilst simultaneously reducing carbon emissions due to less idling.
So we get to improve our bottom line and save the planet from impending doom at the same time. Now that’s got to be classed as a win-win in anyone’s book?
The only question that remains is ‘will we be able to play snake on those cute little Nokia robots?
Jan 30, 2020 • News • future of field service • research report • facial recognition
Jan 29, 2020 • News • future of field service • transport
New findings released from Berg Insight about market for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
New findings released from Berg Insight about market for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
Jan 24, 2020 • Features • future of field service • management • Bill Pollock • The Field Service Podcast
Analyst Bill Pollock says 2020 could be a big one for the service sector.
Analyst Bill Pollock says 2020 could be a big one for the service sector.
We're kicking off this new decade with regular Field Service News contributor and industry expert Bill Pollock, who outlines some of the trends that service professionals can expect in 2020, including servitization, predictive maintenance and automation.
You can also contact Bill about any of the content raised in this podcast via email at wkp@ s4growth.com or find more insight at his blog here.
Jan 17, 2020 • News • future of field service • Research • Berg Insight • IoT
Research forecasts IoT gateways, routers and modems shipments will hit 8.0 million by 2023.
Research forecasts IoT gateways, routers and modems shipments will hit 8.0 million by 2023.
Berg Insight has released new findings about the market for cellular IoT gateways, routers and modems.
More than 3.4 million cellular IoT gateways were shipped globally during 2018, at a total market value of approximately US$ 921 million. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.5 percent, annual shipments are expected to reach 8.0 million in 2023. Cellular IoT gateways are standalone devices intended for connecting machines to a cellular network.
These include general-purpose cellular gateways, routers and modems that are enclosed in a chassis and have at least one input/output port. Trackers, telematics devices and other specialised devices are excluded from this report.
North American vendors dominate the cellular IoT gateway and router market. Cradlepoint, Cisco, Sierra Wireless, CalAmp and Digi International are the largest vendors worldwide. Combined, these five vendors generated close to US$ 500 million in annual revenues from cellular IoT gateway and router sales during 2018, accounting for a market share of 53.3 percent. Other important vendors include Multitech Systems, Systech and Encore Networks in the US, InHand Networks, Robustel and NetComm in the Asia-Pacific region, and HMS Networks, Advantech B+B SmartWorx, Matrix Electrónica, NetModule, Eurotech, Westermo and Option in Europe. The European and Asia Pacific markets are fragmented with a large number of small and medium sized players that generate annual revenues in the range of US$ 3–10 million. The North American market is dominated by a handful of major vendors, largely due to entry barriers in the form of carrier certifications required for cellular devices in the region.
“North America experienced the fastest growth globally during 2018, driven by deployments in the public safety, transportation and retail sectors”, said Fredrik Stalbrand, Senior Analyst, Berg Insight. The region has also been subject to significant merger and acquisition activity in recent time. “Deal activity has been low over the past decade but has picked up since the beginning of 2018”, continued Mr. Stålbrand. He mentions as examples the recent deals such as Lantronix’ purchase of Maestro Wireless Solutions in July 2019 and most recently Digi International’s announced acquisition of Opengear in November 2019. In Europe, Westermo acquired the remote access specialist Virtual Access in November 2019, expanding the company’s presence in the utilities sector. “Several players continue to have inorganic growth as a strategy and further consolidation can be expected among IoT gateway vendors in 2019–2020”, concluded Mr. Stalbrand.
Jan 09, 2020 • News • future of field service • Berg Insight • smart automation
Berg Insight release new findings about the market for connected public spaces Including smart street lighting, smart parking, smart waste collection and smart city surveillance.
Berg Insight release new findings about the market for connected public spaces Including smart street lighting, smart parking, smart waste collection and smart city surveillance.
Jan 08, 2020 • News • future of field service • APAC
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) server market is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% between 2018 and 2023, and account for nearly one-third of global market, says GlobalData.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) server market is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% between 2018 and 2023, and account for nearly one-third of global market, says GlobalData.
Jan 06, 2020 • News • Artificial intelligence • future of field service • manufacturing • Research • IFS
AI to support automation, support labour shortage and drive upskilling as Industry 4.0 accelerates, study shows.
AI to support automation, support labour shortage and drive upskilling as Industry 4.0 accelerates, study shows.
Dec 20, 2019 • News • future of field service • drones • Final Mile • ISO
World’s first ISO approved drone standards have been announced, possibly impacting final mile services.
World’s first ISO approved drone standards have been announced, possibly impacting final mile services.
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