In this final feature of a series of excerpts from a recent white paper published by Telenor Connexion, we look in detail at the difference between LTE-M and NB-IOT, as a guide to make the optimal choice for your business.
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Dec 01, 2021 • Features • connectivity • Digital Transformation • GLOBAL • TELENOR CONNEXION • LTE-M • NB-IOT
In this final feature of a series of excerpts from a recent white paper published by Telenor Connexion, we look in detail at the difference between LTE-M and NB-IOT, as a guide to make the optimal choice for your business.
This feature is just one short excerpt from a white paper published by Telenor Connexion.
www.fieldservicenews.com subscribers can read the full white paper now by hitting the button below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can do so for free by hitting the button and registering for our complimentary subscription tier FSN Standard on a dedicated page that provides you instant access to this white paper PLUS you will also be able to access our monthly selection of premium resources as soo as you are registered.
Data usage note: By accessing this content you consent to the contact details submitted when you registered as a subscriber to fieldservicenews.com to be shared with the listed sponsor of this premium content Telenor Connexion who may contact you for legitimate business reasons to discuss the content of this white paper, as per the terms and conditions of your subscription agreement which you opted into in line with GDPR regulations and is an ongoing condition of subscription.
Adaptability to New Use Cases
When choosing a connectivity technology, the complete lifecycle of the connected product must be taken into consideration. Enterprises need to choose a technology that can grow with new use cases.
Imagine a product called “The connected door”. Initially it should just be possible to open and close the door and the door should send usage statistics every night to the cloud. The typical door has a lifecycle of 10 years. After just looking at the initial use case, the data amount is very low, so the focus is on technology with the lowest bandwidth and the door is mass produced and successfully launched. After three years the enterprise wants to monitise this success and add new value - the door should not just connect, but also interact with a parcel delivery service. For use cases where the application can be expected to evolve over time it is thus important that the whole solution has potential to develop. LTE-M provides greater potential to grow over time.
Due to its wider bandwidth LTE-M provides more adaptability to new use cases where the use cases of the IoT solution will develop over time. NB-IoT is an alternative when the requirements are more static and known from start.
Due to the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks in many parts of the world many legacy use cases need to be transferred to new connectivity technology.
We believe that 2G technologies will continue to be available in many parts of the world and outlive 3G. In Europe we anticipate 2G will be available until 2025, due to the legally required emergency services in the EU which depend on 2G technology.
As the coverage of LTE-M and NB-IoT deployments may not, as of today, be good enough everywhere, we recommend enterprises verify coverage in more detail and/or ensure devices are compatible with existing technologies as a backup.
IoT use cases will eventually move from old to new technology. As LTE-M meets or exceeds the technical characteristics of 2G/3G services, it appears to be a natural, evolutionary step. NB- IoT has lower responsiveness and limitations in mobility and may be relevant for use cases with lower requirements.
Global Availability
We believe that LTE-M will be the first to become a globally available technology as it has technically been designed for roaming from the start, like all other 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies. NB-IoT was initially designed for static devices only, and roaming has been added later as afterthought.
Operators will be more reluctant to support incoming roaming NB-IoT devices that use network resources, but hardly generate revenue. Roaming on NB-IoT will most likely be limited to the business units within an operator group. We expect that LTE-M roaming will be available globally in the coming years, similarly to normal 4G roaming, and it is indeed already available today as a best effort offering on existing 4G roaming contracts.
LTE-M has been designed for roaming from the start and can leverage existing roaming and wholesale business models between operators. NB-IoT will require new business models to be a good alternative for global connectivity. Therefore we expect that LTE-M will be relevant for international IoT solutions earlier than NB- IoT.
Software Updates and Security
IoT devices can have a typical life span of 10 to 15 years. For many use cases it is desirable to update the software in the device several times over its lifecycle. Therefore, enterprises must choose a technology that can handle updates to work with modern software development practices - and to keep devices secure.
Enterprises typically use agile software development (small and frequent increments) to decrease time to market. This makes the waterfall approach to software development – where large software are deployed that are never touched again - a practice of the past.
The characteristics of NB-IoT mean it is not suitable for upgrading large fleets of IoT devices. This is expected to be addressed in a future version of NB- IoT, called NB2. In this variety software upgrades can be managed using multi-cast.
This means that there will be two varieties of NB-IoT available - NB1 and NB2 (also sometimes called LTE-cat NB1 and LTE Cat NB2). The current status is however that today most networks only support NB1, and it may take years before NB2 is widely available.
Increased security improvements and the agile software development methods used today, will continue to drive software updates. This has a large impact on the bandwidth consumption during the lifecycle of devices which is often underestimated. LTE-M is considerably better at handling device updates as its higher bandwidth can handle more data.
Moving Devices
Previous mobile technologies all support devices that can move around without connectivity being interrupted. Devices constantly measure radio signals of nearby radio towers (cells) in the network and dynamically and seamlessly adjust their signaling to different towers (cells). Here we see significant differences between NB-IoT and LTE-M.
NB-IoT is designed for static devices. It is designed to increase battery life by reducing measurement of signals to nearby radio towers (cells). When NB-IoT devices are moved, sessions may get dropped, or devices may need to reconnect. This can lead to interruptions and reduces battery life. This makes NB-IoT less suitable for moving devices.
LTE-M on the other hand is designed for moving devices, just like 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G. LTE-M can support moving devices without losing data sessions, at speeds of up to 200km/hr.
LTE-M is the better choice for moving devices as it has been designed for this from the start. As NB-IoT is designed for static devices it can lead to interruptions if devices are moved.
Remote Control Devices
If devices need to be remotely controlled, responsiveness is important.
Devices controlled by people need a fast and consistent response. LTE-M provides the same consistent response time as regular 4G, so it can be used by people to remotely control devices. NB- IoT is designed to send small amounts of data and is not designed for a fast response. With NB-IoT it may sometimes take up to 10 seconds to receive a response from a device.
Not all use cases need a fast response and it may for example be perfectly acceptable to wait 10 seconds for sensor readings.
When there is human interaction a slow response risk being perceived as poor usability, which could harm the brand perception of enterprises.
LTE-M is needed for a fast and consistent response, while NB-IoT can handle use cases where a delay of minutes is acceptable.
Voice Readiness
LTE-M is designed for voice and the specification includes Voice over LTE (VoLTE) - which is deployed by 194 operators in 91 countries.
Today however, VoLTE is not globally available in LTE-M networks and there are not many hardware modules that can support VoLTE over LTE-M. We expect that VoLTE will grow in importance in the coming years in LTE-M, just as it did in the consumer market for LTE.
The bandwidth and especially the responsiveness of LTE-M can also be used as an alternative to Voice over IP solutions. Devices need to respond quickly to calls and must be able to send and receive data at the same time (full duplex). Only LTE-M can support full duplex communication.
NB2 adds push to talk technology to NB-IoT, only one party can talk at any one time because the technology is half duplex, like walkie-talkies used to be.
LTE-M is designed for voice with Voice over LTE and can also be used for Voice over IP with full duplex. NB2 adds push to talk technology to NB-IoT but only at half duplex.
SIM Localisation - EUICC
Physically swapping the SIM card of deployed devices can be a costly and complicated process, especially in an IoT environment. SIM cards with eUICC technology allows switching of identity over the air, without the need for physical replacement of SIM cards.
When the life cycle of connected devices is longer than the commercial agreement with an operator, the eUICC technology makes a change of operator possible. eUICC can also be used for devices deployed in locations where roaming is not possible. While eUICC is still in an early stage today it will become a vital technology for large and international deployments of IoT devices.
Not all operators support the combination of NB-IoT and SMS which means that eUICC cannot be initiated in many networks. The bandwidth of LTE-M is also more suitable for transmission of SIM profiles, just like software updates. Enterprises considering eUICC should therefore also consider LTE-M.
Time to Market - Internet Competence
Time to market is essential when launching new products. Connectivity technology is only one aspect of the product. Access to people with the right competence is vital to ensure time to market which is why many enterprises choose common technologies over specialized technologies. Common technologies make product development faster, and product maintenance more cost efficient, because it is easier to get access to developers and other specialists.
The internet is built on technologies like IP, TCP, UDP and TLS. These protocols are familiar and easy to use for developers, as they hide much network complexity and are easy to scale without central control.
NB-IoT is designed to perform in local deployments, for example connecting streetlights in a city. Here it is not necessary to use standard internet technologies, such as IP.
Enterprises can access their devices through the Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) provided by the network operator. SCEF simplifies the access to devices by hiding the complexity of the operator’s network making device access familiar to application developers.
Today SCEF is available in some networks for local deployments. Enterprises that would like to use NB- IoT without IP would need to connect to all individual NB-IoT operators that support SCEF.
The roaming and interworking of SCEF is standardized, but it will take several years before SCEF are widely deployed and roaming is available.
LTE-M is using standard IP protocols which makes it straightforward to develop applications. NB-IoT is using tailormade protocols requiring specific application development and competence.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Deciding between the new mobile connectivity technologies, LTE-M and NB-IoT, requires an understanding of the key differences between them.
LTE-M and NB-IoT are both globally available, vendor independent technologies, based on open standards. With the introduction of eUICC enterprises can take a commercial decision based on the most suitable technology and irrespective of operator.
Both LTE-M and NB-IoT enable relevant use cases and are telecom grade, which means they operate on dedicated radio frequencies in telecom networks with a proven capability to scale, and with committed support through the whole life cycle from the operator.
Both technologies also support improved battery life and substantial coverage enhancements, when compared to older mobile technologies.
For Most International Use Cases LTE-M is the Preferred Alternative
- LTE-M is the better alternative with respect to handling firmware and software updates that are expected during the lifecycle of the devices. LTE-M is built for roaming and has the best support for international deployments using a single point of contact and subscription for enterprises.
- Both LTE-M and NB-IoT have significantly improved indoor coverage compared with LTE.
- LTE-M is a better alternative for moving devices as it will not lose ongoing data transfers.
- LTE-M is prepared for voice technology and Voice over LTE.
- With LTE-M, devices can react in milliseconds if required, enabling use cases where a fast response is needed which is relevant for the usability of human-machine interactions.
Recommendations
Choosing the right connectivity technology is one of the critical decisions when implementing an IoT solution. The right choice is essential for deploying a well working solution in a cost efficient way and that can develop over time. New mobile IoT connectivity standards, LTE-M and NB-IoT, opens up for new and evolved use case by offering better coverage, longer lasting batteries and/or lower device cost. In addition they offer a future-proof path as 2G and 3G networks are gradually sunset across the world.
For most international IoT solutions LTE-M will be the preferred connectivity standard as it is expected to become globally available faster and to be more straightforward when developing and maintaining applications. NB-IoT may still be the better choice for some applications, -for example for very large scale sensor networks where the requirements are known at deployment and the best possible indoor coverage is absolutely essential.
As of today neither LTE-M nor NB-IoT are deployed widely enough to be solely relied on for international fleets of devices. For now it is recommended to use hardware that is able to use LTE-M or NB-IoT as well as networks with mature footprints, for example,
2G and/or 4G. The deployment status of mobile IoT network is developing rapidly and therefore the right setup will vary over time.
Independent on the choice of technology standard, Telenor Connexion can help you with all your connectivity needs. Get in touch to find out more about the first steps to take for your low-power, wide-area IoT application.
This feature is just one short excerpt from a white paper published by Telenor Connexion.
www.fieldservicenews.com subscribers can read the full white paper now by hitting the button below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can do so for free by hitting the button and registering for our complimentary subscription tier FSN Standard on a dedicated page that provides you instant access to this white paper PLUS you will also be able to access our monthly selection of premium resources as soo as you are registered.
Data usage note: By accessing this content you consent to the contact details submitted when you registered as a subscriber to fieldservicenews.com to be shared with the listed sponsor of this premium content Telenor Connexion who may contact you for legitimate business reasons to discuss the content of this white paper, as per the terms and conditions of your subscription agreement which you opted into in line with GDPR regulations and is an ongoing condition of subscription.
Further Reading:
- Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
- Read more about Mobile Connectivity @ www.fieldservicenews.com/connectivity
- Read more about Telenor on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/telenor
- Learn more about Telenor Connexion @ www.telenorconnexion.com
- Follow Telenor Connexion on Twitter @ twitter.com/t_connexion
- Connect with Telenor Connexion on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/telenor-connexion-ab/
Nov 29, 2021 • News • Field Service Management Software • SimPRO • Leadership and Strategy • GLOBAL
simPRO, the global leader in field service management software, announced that it has secured an investment of over $350 million from K1 Investment Management, with participation from existing investor Level Equity.
simPRO, the global leader in field service management software, announced that it has secured an investment of over $350 million from K1 Investment Management, with participation from existing investor Level Equity.Additionally, simPRO announced the acquisitions of ClockShark, a US-based time-sheeting and scheduling platform, as well as AroFlo, an Australia-based job management software provider. Together, the companies support the full lifecycle of a field service organization from sole operator or small business to larger, more complex businesses and franchises.
ACQUISITIONS ACCELERATE GLOBAL EXPANSION AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
simPRO helps field service business owners grow revenue and profitability by reducing their reliance on paper-based workflows. With dedication to continuous product innovation, the company has experienced rapid growth as customers around the globe seek to future-proof their businesses with cloud-based, end-to-end software.
"This investment marks the next stage of simPRO's exciting growth journey," said Sean Diljore, simPRO CEO. "Our mission is to build a world where field service businesses can thrive. That mission will continue to be our focus as we accelerate our expansion and product development efforts. We'll continue adding to our suite of features and build further capabilities to support even more business owners within the global trade and construction industries."
In addition to supporting the recent acquisitions, the funding will be used to accelerate product investment and scale global operations across the business.The leadership teams of simPRO, ClockShark, and AroFlo will operate independently, including continued service on existing products.
"We're thrilled to welcome ClockShark and AroFlo to the simPRO family," said Diljore. "Both companies are leaders in their spaces and have incredibly valuable product offerings that will benefit our combined customer bases and help our customers increase revenue. We look forward to growing together and building a range of solutions for the field service and construction industries."
"We're excited to start this path with simPRO and K1," said Cliff Mitchell, ClockShark CEO. "It opens up many opportunities for ClockShark as a company, and for the customers we serve. We chose to move forward with simPRO because of its global footprint which will provide us access to additional markets, customers, and resources relevant to ClockShark customers."
AroFlo CEO Guy Arrowsmith echoed this sentiment. "This opportunity with simPRO and K1 allows AroFlo to continue on its growth trajectory while providing the same great product and service to its customers. We're excited to see what the future holds for all of our brands and what we can do together for the field service and construction industries."
Combined, the platforms are trusted by more than 17,000 businesses, 320,000 users and have over 500 staff in offices throughout Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, with continued expansion anticipated in all geographies.
"K1 sought to invest in a global category leader that is transforming the way field service operators do business," said Simon Yu, senior vice president at K1. "simPRO's global growth momentum will only accelerate with the complementary acquisitions of ClockShark and AroFlo. K1 is thrilled to partner with Sean and his team in creating a platform that can support the broadest range of customers with best-of-breed solutions, globally."
Further Reading:
- Read more about Leadership & Strategy @ www.fieldservicenews.com/leadership-and-strategy
- Read more about simPRO on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/simPRO
- Find out more about simPRO @ www.simprogroup.com
- Learb more about K1 Capital @ k1capital.com
- Follow simPRO on Twitter @ twitter.com/simprosoftware
- Connect simPRO on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/simpro-software/
Nov 24, 2021 • Features • connectivity • Digital Transformation • GLOBAL • TELENOR CONNEXION • LTE-M • NB-IOT
In this second feature of a series of excerpts from a recent white paper published by Telenor Connexion, we look in-depth at the characteristics of LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies and how they will affect the market.
In this second feature of a series of excerpts from a recent white paper published by Telenor Connexion, we look in-depth at the characteristics of LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies and how they will affect the market.
This feature is just one short excerpt from a white paper published by Telenor Connexion.
www.fieldservicenews.com subscribers can read the full white paper now by hitting the button below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can do so for free by hitting the button and registering for our complimentary subscription tier FSN Standard on a dedicated page that provides you instant access to this white paper PLUS you will also be able to access our monthly selection of premium resources as soo as you are registered.
Data usage note: By accessing this content you consent to the contact details submitted when you registered as a subscriber to fieldservicenews.com to be shared with the listed sponsor of this premium content Telenor Connexion who may contact you for legitimate business reasons to discuss the content of this white paper, as per the terms and conditions of your subscription agreement which you opted into in line with GDPR regulations and is an ongoing condition of subscription.
LTE-M AND NB-IOT TECHNOLOGIES - INCREASED BATTERY LIFE, ENHANCED COVERAGE AND SIMPLIFIED HARDWARE
LTE-M and NB-IoT are designed to support IoT devices that need a long battery life or are used at locations that are difficult to reach with normal 4G technology, such as deep indoor locations.
So how are they different and how will they affect the market?
Battery Life and Increased Coverage
Battery life is increased by reducing the radio communications between device and network, and devices can go into sleep mode or listen less often to the network. LTE-M and NB-IoT both offer better coverage than 4G in, for example, deep indoor or remote areas.
There is however a trade-off between battery life, coverage and responsiveness. To leverage this requires access to new types of functionality in the network- for example PSM and EDRX use cases that need a fast response are less suitable for battery saving and enhanced coverage.
Likewise, devices that need a life cycle of 10 years need to be deployed in areas with good coverage. To support a balanced approach, battery saving and enhanced coverage are applied in step with each other. Significant improvement in battery life and coverage can be achieved by sleep mode and applying the right level of repetitions.
New Pricing Models Likely to Emerge
Pricing models for LTE-M and NB-IoT will likely be different to traditional telecom pricing because of the different traffic profile involved with IoT connectivity. There will be a vast number of connected LTE-M and NB-IoT devices but they will send low amounts of data. Rather than the data consumption per device price model, network providers will most likely consider charging access fees for devices on a per device basis for LTE-M and NB-IoT, or a combination of both, to better match the network resources consumed by these devices.
Hardware Simplification
LTE-M and NB-IoT both use simplified versions of regular 4G which reduces hardware complexity and cost once the technology is operating at scale.
GSMA maintains a list of modules that are commercially available at: https://www.gsma.com/ iot/mobile-iot-modules/ showing that the market for modules is fragmented into three main categories: modules supporting either LTE-M or NB-IoT and modules that support both LTE-M and NB-IoT.
LTE-M AND NB-IOT - GLOBAL AVAILABILITY AND OUTLOOK
Moving towards local availability in all countries
For global deployments of devices, enterprises need to take the life cycle of technology in consideration.
Global deployments need global availability, but new technologies are first locally available, typically in urban areas or with nationwide deployments. So when can we expect global availability for LTE-M and NB-IOT?
Today, the status for LTE-M and NB-IoT is that they are both locally available and on their way to becoming globally available.
We see that sometimes one operator in a region starts focusing on either LTE-M or NB-IoT, after which their competitors in the same region often offers the alternative.
We expect that in a few years both LTE-M and NB-IoT will be locally available in all countries.
Nationwide deployments are a good start but for global availability, commercial global roaming agreements between operators must be in place, so enterprises can deploy their devices using only one contract and one point of contact.
With 4G widely available and 5G around the corner, 2G and 3G are slowly being phased out. 2G technology is today still widely used in IoT solutions. 2G voice technology is used for voice calling, including emergency calls such as eCall - a European initiative for rapid assistance to motorists involved in a collision anywhere in the European Union. eCall was made mandatory in all new type-approved cars sold in the European Union from April 2018. As eCall mandates 2G voice, operators in the European Union cannot simply phase out 2G.
We expect that most European operators will support 2G until 2025. In North America, 2G is less widely available and certain countries in Asia and the Pacific have already phased out 2G.
LTE-M and NB-IoT are starting to become globally available, starting with LTE-M. We expect LTE-M and NB-IoT to be available during the complete lifecycle of 5G.
This feature is just one short excerpt from a white paper published by Telenor Connexion.
www.fieldservicenews.com subscribers can read the full white paper now by hitting the button below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can do so for free by hitting the button and registering for our complimentary subscription tier FSN Standard on a dedicated page that provides you instant access to this white paper PLUS you will also be able to access our monthly selection of premium resources as soo as you are registered.
Data usage note: By accessing this content you consent to the contact details submitted when you registered as a subscriber to fieldservicenews.com to be shared with the listed sponsor of this premium content Telenor Connexion who may contact you for legitimate business reasons to discuss the content of this white paper, as per the terms and conditions of your subscription agreement which you opted into in line with GDPR regulations and is an ongoing condition of subscription.
Further Reading:
- Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
- Read more about Mobile Connectivity @ www.fieldservicenews.com/connectivity
- Read more about Telenor on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/telenor
- Learn more about Telenor Connexion @ www.telenorconnexion.com
- Follow Telenor Connexion on Twitter @ twitter.com/t_connexion
- Connect with Telenor Connexion on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/telenor-connexion-ab/
Nov 23, 2021 • News • Future of field servcice • servicemax • Leadership and Strategy • GLOBAL
ServiceMax, Inc., a leader in asset-centric, Field Service Management software provides the following preliminary results for its fiscal Q3 2022 that ended on October 31, 2021.
ServiceMax, Inc., a leader in asset-centric, Field Service Management software provides the following preliminary results for its fiscal Q3 2022 that ended on October 31, 2021.
Preliminary Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Highlights
- Total Revenue: Total revenue was $33.2 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2022, representing an increase of 20% year-over-year. Excluding the impact of purchase accounting for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, total revenue increased 19% year-over-year.
- Subscription Revenue: Subscription revenue was $28.7 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2022, representing an increase of 23% year-over-year. Excluding the impact of purchase accounting for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, subscription revenue increased 21% year-over-year.
- Operating Results: Loss from operations was ($14.0) million during the third quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to ($15.8) million during the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP loss from operations was ($3.0) million during the third quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to ($5.6) million during the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
Business Highlights
- Closed acquisition of LiquidFrameworks on November 1, 2021, which advances ServiceMax's Field Service Management capabilities in the energy sector ("LiquidFrameworks Acquisition"). The acquisition was financed with cash on hand and a new $100 million term loan.
- Announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has declared effective Pathfinder Acquisition Corporation's ("Pathfinder") registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-258769) relating to the previously announced proposed business combination of Pathfinder and ServiceMax (the "Business Combination"). The Extraordinary General Meeting of Pathfinder shareholders to approve the pending Business Combination between Pathfinder and ServiceMax, among other items, is scheduled for December 7, 2021, at 10:00 am ET.
The foregoing financial information for the quarter ended October 31, 2021 is unaudited and subject to quarter-end adjustments in connection with the completion of our customary financial closing procedures. Such changes could be material. ServiceMax will release full financial results for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2021, on December 9, 2021.
Financial Outlook
ServiceMax is providing financial guidance for its fourth quarter ending January 31, 2022, inclusive of the LiquidFrameworks Acquisition, as follows:
- Total revenue between $38.5 million and $39.5 million, representing an increase of 37% year-over-year at midpoint of the range.
- Subscription revenue between $34.0 million and $35.0 million, representing an increase of 42% year-over-year at midpoint of the range.
- Non-GAAP operating loss between $(7) million and $(6) million.
ServiceMax is providing financial guidance for its fiscal year 2022 ending January 31, 2022, inclusive of the LiquidFrameworks Acquisition, as follows:
- Total revenue between $134 million and $135 million, representing an increase of 23% year-over-year at midpoint of the range.
- Subscription revenue between $116 and $117 million, representing an increase of 28% year-over-year at midpoint of the range.
- Non-GAAP operating loss between ($18) million and ($17) million.
Financial Outlook
On July 15, 2021, ServiceMax entered into a business combination agreement with Pathfinder, a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company co-sponsored by affiliates of HGGC and Industry Ventures, which was amended and restated on August 12, 2021. The Business Combination is expected to close in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021. The transaction is expected to deliver as much as $335 million of gross proceeds to the combined company, assuming no redemptions by Pathfinder shareholders, and including proceeds from a strategic common equity investment immediately prior to closing by leading software companies (PTC Inc. and Salesforce Ventures) at the same per share valuation as the Business Combination transaction. The closing of the Business Combination is expected to result in ServiceMax becoming a Nasdaq listed company under the ticker symbol "SMAX".
Further Reading:
- Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
- Read more about ServiceMax on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/servicemax
- Find out more about ServiceMax @ www.servicemax.com
- Connect with ServiceMax on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/company/servicemax/
- Follow ServiceMax on Twitter @ twitter.com/ServiceMax
Nov 22, 2021 • Features • Digital Transformation • servicemax • Daniel Brabec • GLOBAL
In this article for Field Service News, Daniel Brebac, Director of Global Customer Transformation at ServiceMax, discusses why many service organizations are struggling to fill the gaps in their workforce right now and how they can improve their...
In this article for Field Service News, Daniel Brebac, Director of Global Customer Transformation at ServiceMax, discusses why many service organizations are struggling to fill the gaps in their workforce right now and how they can improve their recruiting strategy.
A couple of years ago I was at a Field Service conference, engaged in the round robin style networking chats that we all know so well. Those are generally an opportunity for the companies that sponsor the show to chat with the individuals that attend. You have some nice banter about what the company or individual does, then you go on your way. On this occasion, two conversations stuck in my memory. One because I found it fascinating how their organization was attempting to turn the plant-based beverage market on its head, and the other because they seemed to have solved one of the largest issues that has plagued many asset service management companies – discovering the future of service techs.
For as long as I have been involved in service, my experience has led to a few truths:
#1 - Proactive maintenance is beneficial only if you are collecting and analyzing actionable data
#2 - Tracking parts can lead to one of the largest bottom-line savings in the service organization
#3 - Most service companies are still wrestling with how to counter the silver tsunami and attract the next generation of service talent to their organization
When trying to recruit more people to the abundance of career opportunities that exist in service, it helps to know what is important to your audience. I am reminded of a quote by Tracee Ellis Ross: “I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be, to inspire me and not terrify me.” The company that solved the issue around the future of service techs understood this. The Vice President that I spoke with had a connection to the local high schools and started his recruiting there. They shared the vision for where their target audience wanted to be in life, and how they could help get them there. As they joined the organization, these young adults received training, benefits, and were well compensated for the work that they did. Additionally, the company made sure to do annual resume reviews with the service techs, where they would help them to spruce up their resume to ensure they were prepared to take the next step in their journey if they wanted to look for growth opportunities in the future.
Let’s go back to the points of importance, because I don’t want anyone to miss the key takeaways when building their new recruiting strategy.
#1 – Compensation and Benefits
Let’s get down to brass tacks here – if a tech can make more money going somewhere else, or doing something else, there is a good chance they will leave. You must ensure that your compensation package is competitive in the market. Do your market research. I once spoke with a group of techs that jumped back and forth between companies for incremental raises.The companies spent more money on recruiting the service engineers back, than if they had just given them a raise in the first place!#2 – Career Path
Many would assume that helping an employee with their resume will cause them to leave. In working with an employee on this, the company is demonstrating a couple things: they are committed to your growth as an individual, and they are recognizing your continued increased value over the years you’ve invested. Perhaps the tech doesn’t realize that they now have senior level experience on XYZ machine, and that qualifies them to spend some time training the new hires, instead of in the field. For techs with young families, this can be a huge benefit. Many techs spend a lot of time on the road, and the ability to spend a little more time at home with their family can lead to increased levels of employee satisfaction and retention. Expanding on that idea a little further, organizations must realize that there is not a singular path to becoming a valued part of the service team; multiple paths with varied career growth options is a must.#3 – Emerging Technology
Generations that have grown up with the internet and cell phones in their hands have an expectation of utilization of technology to simplify their work. Many service organizations and solution providers have begun implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) solutions into their service organization. Knowing they will be able to utilize future technologies in their workplace is exciting, has the benefit of making their job easier, and gets your techs in the field independently at a faster pace. If they have an issue with an asset, and a senior tech is available to coach them while working on the piece of equipment, the job is done quicker, the first time, and the need to return is reduced.Many organizations are struggling to fill the gaps in their workforce right now; but the service industry has the distinct advantage in that it can provide on the job training, a shorter onboarding time, future careers opportunities, and strong compensation. Showcasing these strengths and understanding who you are trying to recruit will position your business for continued growth well into the future.
Further Reading:
- Read more about Leadership and Strategy @ www.fieldservicenews.com/leadership-strategy
- Read news and articles about ServiceMax @ www.fieldservicenews.com/servicemax
- Find out more about ServiceMax @ www.servicemax.com/uk
- Connect with Daniel Brebac on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/danielbrabec/
- Follow ServiceMax on Twitter @ twitter.com/ServiceMax
Nov 17, 2021 • Features • connectivity • Digital Transformation • GLOBAL • TELENOR CONNEXION • LTE-M • NB-IOT
In the first feature of a series of excerpts from a recent white paper published by Telenor Connexion, we look at the development and evoliution of mobile connectivity technologies.
In the first feature of a series of excerpts from a recent white paper published by Telenor Connexion, we look at the development and evoliution of mobile connectivity technologies.
This feature is just one short excerpt from a white paper published by Telenor Connexion.
www.fieldservicenews.com subscribers can read the full white paper now by hitting the button below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can do so for free by hitting the button and registering for our complimentary subscription tier FSN Standard on a dedicated page that provides you instant access to this white paper PLUS you will also be able to access our monthly selection of premium resources as soo as you are registered.
Data usage note: By accessing this content you consent to the contact details submitted when you registered as a subscriber to fieldservicenews.com to be shared with the listed sponsor of this premium content Telenor Connexion who may contact you for legitimate business reasons to discuss the content of this white paper, as per the terms and conditions of your subscription agreement which you opted into in line with GDPR regulations and is an ongoing condition of subscription.
Connectivity is a crucial part of product design and performance and the choice of connectivity technology must be considered early in the process. This is a challenging choice given the quick technology and market development. 5G technologies are around the corner, 2G and 3G networks are starting to be phased out and new network technologies that support LPWAN are starting to become globally available in the form of LTE-M and NB-IoT- also referred to as Mobile IoT.
For the first time networks have been developed to answer to the specific needs of connecting things. Previously, connected units have been communicating on infrastructure developed for consumer needs.
LTE-M and NB-IoT are standardized, secure, and operator-managed in licensed spectrum. They are designed for IoT applications that are low cost, use low data rates, require long battery lives and often operate in locations that are hard to reach.
LTE-M and NB-IoT will be the obvious choices for industries looking for 2G and 3G replacements for devices with long lifecycles, requiring extended device battery life and coverage.
Both technologies are good choices for deployments with expected lifespans of a decade or more, however there are differences between them which make each of them more suitable for some IoT applications rather than others.
So which one is the best choice for your application?
This guide describes the relative benefits and limitations of each technology to help enterprises to make the right selection for long-term success.
Here's a short overview of the development of mobile connectivity technologies. Mobile connectivity has evolved from being the infrastructure for human communication to telemetry, machine-to-machine and the internet of things applications.
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The first version of mobile connectivity – 1G – introduced wireless voice.
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In 2G, roaming and SMS messaging were introduced and were later enhanced with GPRS for data communication. SMS messaging and GPRS became widely used for basic telemetry. Roaming made mobile technology suitable for deployments in multiple countries. Telenor was one of the first operators to offer M2M communications with things connected over the 2G network as early as the 1990s.
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3G became a truly global standard and combined the best of competing technologies in a single standard. 3G evolutions were mainly centered around high speed data applications.
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4G introduced LTE technology used for devices constantly connected to the internet. 4G answered the consumer need for bandwidth and speed and introduced a new way to handle voice, replacing 2G voice.
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LTE-M and NB-IoT (Mobile IoT) are especially designed for the Internet of Things. LTE-M and NB-IoT support devices that need a long battery life and devices that need good network access in areas that are difficult to reach.
- 5G networks use a combination of existing 4G LTE and new 5G New Radio (5G NR) technology. 4G and 5G have been designed to co-exist and applications designed for 4G, including LTE-M and NB-IoT, can be expected to have a very long life. Today most networks that claim to be 5G networks are in fact using 4G LTE.
- 5G enhances 4G in three main use case areas; enhanced mobile broadband, critical communications and mobile IoT.
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Enhanced mobile broadband is currently targeted towards consumers that need ever-increasing bandwidth. It also enables new IoT use cases that require high data volumes, for example streaming video.
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Critical communications demands a much faster response and increased quality of service and security. 5G introduces 5G New Radio Technology which uses a higher radio frequency.
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Mobile IoT - LTE-M and NB-IoT - are forward compatible with the 5G NR technology, which means that LTE-M and NB-IoT technology can be used throughout the complete 5G life cycle.
This feature is just one short excerpt from a white paper published by Telenor Connexion.
www.fieldservicenews.com subscribers can read the full white paper now by hitting the button below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can do so for free by hitting the button and registering for our complimentary subscription tier FSN Standard on a dedicated page that provides you instant access to this white paper PLUS you will also be able to access our monthly selection of premium resources as soo as you are registered.
Data usage note: By accessing this content you consent to the contact details submitted when you registered as a subscriber to fieldservicenews.com to be shared with the listed sponsor of this premium content Telenor Connexion who may contact you for legitimate business reasons to discuss the content of this white paper, as per the terms and conditions of your subscription agreement which you opted into in line with GDPR regulations and is an ongoing condition of subscription.
Further Reading:
- Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
- Read more about Mobile Connectivity @ www.fieldservicenews.com/connectivity
- Read more about Telenor on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/telenor
- Learn more about Telenor Connexion @ www.telenorconnexion.com
- Follow Telenor Connexion on Twitter @ twitter.com/t_connexion
- Connect with Telenor Connexion on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/telenor-connexion-ab/
Nov 04, 2021 • Features • Digital Transformation • technology • Aquant • GLOBAL
In this article from Aquant, we look at three tips to secure approval for new service projects and how to make the right decision for your organisation.
In this article from Aquant, we look at three tips to secure approval for new service projects and how to make the right decision for your organisation.
How to Make the Right Decision For Your Organisation
Artificial intelligence is becoming an essential tool for the service sector — aiding in everything from service delivery and customer support, to employee training.
With nearly 50% of companies reporting that they’ve adopted AI in at least one business function, trends indicate that tech-forward companies are past figuring out if they should lean on AI’s capabilities. Instead, they’re figuring out when they’ll make the investment and how they will implement it.
As companies weigh the pros and cons of adoption, an even bigger question arises: is it better to build a solution in-house or buy it from a vendor?
Ultimately, the questions you should consider are:
· Which option delivers maximum organizational benefit?
· What is the difference in deployment time for building vs. buying?
· How much will it cost to build vs. buy?
· What internal resources or additional consultants will be needed for each option?
· If a quick-to-implement solution fits your organization’s needs, will it offer better ROI in comparison to building a perfect, custom solution that may take twice as much time and resources?
It’s about what offers the biggest benefit to your organization. Here are a few expert tips for figuring out which path is the best fit.
Building an AI Solution
Pros:
● Customization: You can reduce overhead costs by building a solution that’s just right for your company, skipping any unnecessary features.● Flexibility: You know your needs the best. By building your solution, you have the opportunity to create an easily-modifiable tool that can accommodate future needs or ad-hoc requests.
● Controlled Integration: As you have insight into all of your pre-existing processes, tools, and software, you can engineer a solution that fully integrates with all of them.
Cons:
● Added Expenses: Custom tools are significantly more expensive due to the additional costs. You may need to outsource some of the talent needed to create such a solution, as it can be too much for one internal task force to tackle.
● Time: Building an AI system in-house is often a multi-year process. Sorting through internal information sources and translating info into usable data can be challenging. Plus, factor in the time you spend training and improving your AI models.
Buying an AI Solution
Pros:
● Cost Effective: AI vendors are the experts. They already have a dedicated/established team and the knowledge needed to pull off a huge launch — no outsourcing necessary.● Quick Deployment: Many AI solutions are pre-built, so it may only be a matter of you supplying your data, and having your vendor analyze and configure it to your organization’s needs.
● Consistent System Upgrades: AI vendors are always maintaining and updating their solutions. They also have dedicated customer success teams ready to help answer questions or figure out additional solutions
Cons:
● Less Opportunity to Customize: This can be a dealbreaker for many, as the solution isn't built specifically for your organization.
● Less Control: The vendor controls updates and functionalities, so you can’t add features on demand.
I've made a decision. What's next?
Once you’ve made your choice in the age-old buy-or-build debate, the next step is to get your stakeholders on board. Luckily, we wrote the blueprint for success.
Check out our latest eBook, How to Secure Buy-In for Service Transformation Projects, for expert recommendations on getting even the most skeptical executives to see your AI vision.
Further Reading:
- Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
- Read more about Aquant on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/aquant
- Learn more about AI on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/artificial-intelligence
- Find out more about Aquant @ www.aquant.io
- Follow Aquant on Twitter @ twitter.com/Aquant_io
- Follow Aquant on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/aquant.io
Nov 03, 2021 • Features • Martin Summerhayes • Digital Transformation • Covid-19 • Digital Symposium • GLOBAL
Kris Oldland, Editor-in-Chief, Field Service News is joined on the Field Service News Digital Symposium by Martin Summerhayes, Head of Digital Transformation Services at MDB Service Consulting.
Kris Oldland, Editor-in-Chief, Field Service News is joined on the Field Service News Digital Symposium by Martin Summerhayes, Head of Digital Transformation Services at MDB Service Consulting.
Martin has over 30 years of experience in the service industry in the UK working for organisations such as HP, the Metropolitan Police and Fujitsu, and he focuses on leading key clients to a successful transition of services into new, agile, ways of working.
During the conversation, the two discuss a wide range of topics related to the acceleration of digital adoption during the pandemic and what this means for the future of service organisations.
In this excerpt from that conversation, Martin and Kris discuss how organisations can achieve successful service delivery as we emerge from the pandemic.
Want to know more?
FSN Premium subscribers and FSN Elite members can access the full-length interview plus many, many more in the Field Service New Digital Symposium. If you have an FSN Premium account you can access the video on the button below. If you are currently on our FSN Standard subscription tier you can upgrade your subscription by clicking the link below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can join 30,0000 of your field service management peers by subscribing to FSN Standard for free to gain access to a monthly selection of premium content or select either FSN Premium or FSN Elite for even more resources. Click the button above to visit our subscription page to find out more.
Further Reading:
- Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
- Read more about the impact of COVID-19 in the Field Service industry @ www.fieldservicenews.com/covid-19
- Read articles by Martin Summerhayes on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/martin-summerhayes
- Follow Martin Summerhayes on Twitter @ twitter.com/martinsummerhay
- Connect with Martin Summerhayes on LinkedIn @ linkedin.com/in/martin-summerhayes
Nov 01, 2021 • Features • Martin Summerhayes • Digital Transformation • Covid-19 • Digital Symposium • GLOBAL
Kris Oldland, Editor-in-Chief, Field Service News is joined on the Field Service News Digital Symposium by Martin Summerhayes, Head of Digital Transformation Services at MDB Service Consulting.
Kris Oldland, Editor-in-Chief, Field Service News is joined on the Field Service News Digital Symposium by Martin Summerhayes, Head of Digital Transformation Services at MDB Service Consulting.
Martin has over 30 years of experience in the service industry in the UK working for organisations such as HP, the Metropolitan Police and Fujitsu, and he focuses on leading key clients to a successful transition of services into new, agile, ways of working.
During the conversation, the two discuss a wide range of topics related to the acceleration of digital adoption during the pandemic and what this means for the future of service organisations.
In this excerpt from that conversation, Martin and Kris talk about the importance of keeping in mind the core fundamentals of great service as technology evolves and companies embrace digital transformation.
Want to know more?
FSN Premium subscribers and FSN Elite members can access the full-length interview plus many, many more in the Field Service New Digital Symposium. If you have an FSN Premium account you can access the video on the button below. If you are currently on our FSN Standard subscription tier you can upgrade your subscription by clicking the link below.
If you are yet to subscribe you can join 30,0000 of your field service management peers by subscribing to FSN Standard for free to gain access to a monthly selection of premium content or select either FSN Premium or FSN Elite for even more resources. Click the button above to visit our subscription page to find out more.
Further Reading:
- Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
- Read more about the impact of COVID-19 in the Field Service industry @ www.fieldservicenews.com/covid-19
- Read articles by Martin Summerhayes on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/martin-summerhayes
- Follow Martin Summerhayes on Twitter @ twitter.com/martinsummerhay
- Connect with Martin Summerhayes on LinkedIn @ linkedin.com/in/martin-summerhayes
Field Service News is published by 1927 Media Ltd, an independent publisher whose sole focus is on the field service sector. As such our entire resources are focused on helping drive the field service sector forwards and aiming to best serve our industry through honest, incisive and innovative media coverage of the global field service sector.
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