How to choose an IoT solution for your business?

According to the Ericsson Mobility Report of November 2021, the number of mobile IoT connections is set to grow by 13 % annually until 2027. This is because the Internet of Things has many applications that can enhance the business value of enterprises in various industries.

Case study: IoT reduces costs in the transport industry

One of the industries that benefits greatly from the IoT is transport and logistics. Some well-known applications are truck and trailer monitoring, driver assistance systems and goods tracking. Management consulting firm Arthur D. Little expects the number of IoT connections in the transport industry to increase by 11 % a year until 2030.

With the support of Orange Belgium and Ericsson, ZF Transics has developed an IoT solution for more efficient, sustainable and safe truck fleet management. This improves the customer experience and at the same time significantly reduces costs.

Application 1: predictive monitoring

A typical European transport company has a fleet of 50 trucks and 100 drivers. Such a company can save 613,000 € – or 4.3 % of its total costs – by monitoring its trucks and trailers. That’s because problems are detected far more quickly if the engines, tyre pressure, temperature and other parameters are constantly measured. As a result, the trucks will need fewer unscheduled repairs, are less likely to break down due to problems and consume less fuel thanks to their optimised tyre pressure and engines. A company that monitors its trucks and trailers is also less exposed to theft, which reduces the insurance premiums.

Application 2: smart driver assistance systems

Driver assistance systems are another IoT application that transport companies can benefit from. Sensors can be installed in each truck to send data about the trip to a server via the mobile network. This data is analysed and individual feedback is sent to the driver. This will save a typical European transport company 263,000 € a year, or 1.8 % of its total costs. The number one savings are reduced fuel costs thanks to eco-driving, but using the IoT will also significantly reduce the administrative costs and insurance premiums.

Intensive collaboration

Orange, which has been working closely with ZF Transics since 2004, provides both the SIM card management platform and global connectivity with a network of roaming partners. This solution is customised in close cooperation with Ericsson. You can download the full case study to find out more about this solution and the potential of the IoT for the transport industry.

Four key questions to ensure you select the right IoT solution for you

Transport is just one of the many industries the Internet of Things can make a significant contribution to. The IoT can also reduce many costs in your business, so it’s important to choose the right solution. How do you make that choice? The following four questions will help you decide:

1. How many data and SIM cards do you need?
   The number of SIM cards you need is a determining factor. However, data usage is also an important consideration. This can range from a few MBs to as many as hundreds of GBs per month, depending on the application.
    
2. How flexible should your operator be?
   Do you need only national connectivity or global connectivity? In the latter case, it is best to choose an operator with an extensive network of roaming partners. Do you want to be able to change telecom operators without having to change the SIM card in all your IoT devices? If so, eSIMs are a useful solution.
    
3. Do your SIM cards need to work in extreme conditions?
   The SIM cards you need will depend on the circumstances. SIM cards in an aircraft, for instance, need to be able to withstand extremely cold temperatures, while in other applications they must be able to withstand severe shocks. In that case, an embedded SIM card that is soldered to the circuit board as part of the IoT device's manufacturing process is more reliable. And if you want to avoid any kind of maintenance of your IoT device for a long time, choose a durable SIM card with a lifespan of more than 15 years.
    
4. Do you need an API or web portal for your management?
   You can manage your SIM cards – order and activate cards, monitor data usage in real time and access reports and invoices – in two ways. You can do it all on the operator’s web portal, or you can use an application programming interface (API) offered by the operator. In the latter case, you can easily integrate your SIM card management into your own back-end, which also opens the door to automation.

Orange offers a wide range of IoT solutions, from standardised services to customised solutions, from national applications to international ones and from small-scale platforms to comprehensive environments.