The Bosch Group and Vodafone form a global strategic partnership on 'the Internet of Things'

The Bosch Group and Vodafone have announced a global partnership that will see them integrate their respective Machine to Machine (M2M) platforms to offer businesses a simple way of wirelessly connecting products to the Internet.

Under the partnership, The Bosch Group, a leading global supplier of technology and services and Vodafone, one of the world's largest mobile communications companies will offer global companies a joint solution aimed at making it easier to manage products with embedded SIM cards. It aims to simplify the management of workflow business processes in a variety of industrial domains in an intuitive, integrated and cost efficient way.

Examples of products that could benefit from embedded SIMs include lifts, air conditioning systems and escalators with automatic warning systems that alert maintenance staff in case of problems by sending messages over Vodafone’s mobile network.

The collaboration will combine Bosch’s experience in designing sensors and automated work flow processes, based on Bosch’s Multi-Service Platform, with Vodafone’s expertise in providing excellent network quality and management tools that take the stress out of global deployments. Bosch’s Multi Service Platform, which allows firms to develop automated processes, will integrate with Vodafone’s Global Data Service Platform (GDSP) which enables businesses to manage the connectivity of thousands of embedded SIM cards across the world.

The combined offer will enable firms to deliver a seamless, integrated, end-to-end service leading to more cost efficiencies. Customers will benefit from less complexity and a shorter time to market as well as the ability to develop and adjust business processes to changing market demands.

"Partnering with Bosch means that we will be able to offer manufacturers a simple way to wirelessly enable and manage a range of different devices across the world," said Nick Jeffery, Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone Global Enterprise. "Devices that have mobile capabilities can give higher levels of customer satisfaction as well as lead to greater efficiencies across sectors including energy, automotive, security, healthcare and construction."

"Thanks to the rapid progress in technology, many everyday items are becoming more intelligent. Our task now is to combine the potential of web applications and cloud computing with analysis methods and miniature sensors. Bosch plans to develop and offer completely new, highly networked, products and services," said Dr. Siegfried Dais, Executive Member of Board at Bosch Group. "Global customers are set to profit from the experience of a global automotive and technology provider such as Bosch as well as from Vodafone’s expertise in telecoms. This partnership shows that we are making huge progress in this segment of the future."