Running a
small or medium-sized business can be challenging: besides the problems faced
at the workplace and daily operations, entrepreneurs must also take care of
their office premises, vehicles, machinery and other fixed assets. The
question, for many SMBs, is how to find solutions that are effective yet also
affordable.
“SMBs face
many problems similar to those of larger corporations but they don’t have a lot
of resources to solve such problems. What Globe Business does is provide SMBs
with affordable, reliable, and effective solutions using what’s called ‘M2M’ or
machine-to-machine technology.
“Essentially,
M2M technology allows machines to “talk” to each other and communicate through
Globe Business’ M2M Network. This technology has many applications and uses
that provide advantages and benefits to SMBs,” said Manny Escosa, Globe
Business Small and Medium Business Marketing Head.
There are two
main categories of Globe Business M2M Solutions currently available: Globe
Business M2M Fixed Assets Management (M2M-FAM) and Globe Business Fleet
Management Service (M2M-FMS).
Fixed
Assets Management
For the
following SMB needs listed below, there’s a corresponding Globe Business M2M
Solution that addresses them.
Need:
Security and maintenance of remote assets. SMBs that
have remote assets like vendo machines and refrigeration units need to
regularly assess the status of those machines and conduct maintenance or repair
work.
Solution:
Use
Globe Business M2M Fixed Assets
Management (M2M-FAM) to assess the status of remote assets and machines,
including ATMs, vendo machines, refrigeration units and the like.
Once M2M-FAM
determines that these remote assets are in need of maintenance or repair, it
sends an alert to the business owner. The business owner can then send in a
team to fix the machine.
There’s no
need to physically send personnel to check on each individual machine from time
to time, once the machines are already being monitored through the Globe Business M2M network.
Instead, each
machine itself communicates through the M2M network when it needs maintenance
or repair. This allows the business owner to send in a repair team at the most
appropriate time. This saves the business owner time, effort and money.
Need:
Monitor the unauthorized use of computer servers. Unauthorized
use of company computers not only adds to the wear and tear on equipment and
increase power consumption but, more seriously, compromises confidential
company data.
Solution: Use Globe
Business M2M-FAM to monitor track the utilization of company CPUs. Usually,
a company would know the usual level of CPU activity in their servers. A
higher-than-normal CPU activity may indicate unauthorized use of a company
computer and Globe Business M2M-FAM can send an alert to the business owner (or
a designated manager or staff) if this happens.
Need:
Track and send alert when factory equipment is being used illicitly. Owners of factories need to ensure that their
machinery is used only during designated hours to produce a pre-determined
output. Illicit use puts wear and tear on machinery, increases power
consumption, and also indicates that factory products are being manufactured
illegally.
Solution:
Use Globe Business M2M-FAM to alert
owner when illicit use of factory machinery is detected. In this way, the
factory owner will be able to implement measures to stop the illegal use of
equipment and hold those behind it accountable.
Fleet
Management Service
Globe Business also offers M2M solutions for an SMB’s
vehicles. The Globe Business M2M Fleet Management Service (M2M-FMS) offers
several benefits and advantages to a company’s mobile assets. It uses GPS
technology along with the Globe Business M2M network to keep track of a company
vehicle’s location.
Need: Ensure on-time
deliveries of goods. An
SMB needs to make sure that its deliveries arrive at the correct destination on
schedule. Delays could mean lost business.
Solution: Use Globe
Business M2M-FMS to track the location of company
vehicles while they are on the move. Using an office computer linked to the
Globe Business M2M network, the business owner or a designated manager or staff
can determine if a company vehicle arrived at its destination on-time.
Globe Business
M2M-FMS can also assess the best travel route a company vehicle can take, based
on historic performance for efficiency. Or allow a vehicle to find an
alternative route in cases of heavy traffic or obstructions.
Need: Assure the proper
refrigeration of perishable goods being delivered. SMBs that transport perishable goods need to maintain
a proper temperature inside their delivery vans or trucks to avoid spoilage.
Solution: Keep track of the temperature inside the
refrigerated compartments using Globe
Business M2M-FMS. Through the M2M network, a business owner will be alerted
in case of a malfunction in the temperature control. This quick, real-time
alert allows the business owner to tell the driver to stop the vehicle and
check the refrigeration compartment—so that a timely response can be made to make
repairs.
Need: Alerts
in cases of theft, pilferage, or hijacking of company vehicles. While it is difficult to actually prevent
theft, pilferage, or hijacking, a business owner can make a more appropriate
and more timely response in such situations if he or she is alerted as soon as
possible when these occur.
Solution: Use Globe
Business M2M-FMS to assess and co-relate vehicle performance and driver
behavior based on vehicle status, speed, etc. By analyzing these factors,
business owners can be alerted to a suspicious situation.
For example, Globe Business M2M-FMS can track if a
company vehicle is moving too slow, has made an unauthorized stop, or has
deviated from its predetermined route.
In cases where there is unauthorized opening of a
vehicle’s cargo hold, or if an accident occurs, Globe Business M2M-FMS can
trigger and broadcast a security alert to the owner. The owner can then inform
authorities to respond.
Security
and surveillance
Globe Business
M2M Solutions also have applications related to security and surveillance. Globe Business M2M Security and
Surveillance enhances a company’s existing security system.
It can assist
company/user to determine thru the M2M alerts if there are attempts to tamper,
sabotage or steal a company’s fixed assets. M2M security and
surveillance devices use accessories such as motion and door sensors, panic
buttons this may also be linked to Globe Business M2M Managed Services.
The Globe
Business M2M Security and Surveillance system serves as a deterrent: the
security devices are always ready to activate alarms and trigger an emergency
response.
In summary:
Globe Business' M2M Solutions optimize the functionality and productivity of a
company's machines/assets. They make business operations less costly yet more
efficient. They also provide greater security and control over a company's
mobile and fixed assets.
Globe Business
M2M Solutions are ideal for a wide range of businesses—including the food
and/or service industries (restaurants, resorts, hotels, etc.); financial
enterprises (banks, pawnshops, etc.); manufacturing, distribution; practically
any business that benefits from machine-to-machine networking and pro-active
security.
“Globe
Business M2M Solutions can be used in a variety of applications to fit the
needs of every type of business—especially small and medium businesses (SMBs)
that are seeking quality and reliability at a more affordable cost. SMB owners
are welcome to come to us and discuss how we could customize a package of
solutions to meet their needs,” said Escosa.
Experience the benefits of having
customized solutions to support your business. Consult a Globe Business Account
Manager, visit Globe stores, call the Globe Business Hotline at +632 730-1010
or log on to http://www.globe.com.ph/business
today to find out more.
Globe Business is the corporate arm of Globe Telecom,
the leading mobile telecommunications company in the
Philippines
. Globe Business
provides wireless and wireline solutions for a diverse set of industries,
businesses, and commercial enterprises. It assures SMEs of affordable,
reliable, and dependable services for all communication needs, both wireless
and wireline solutions, to generate the highest possible profit at the lowest
possible cost.
from The Web Magazine