Five Tips for Seamless M2M Connectivity Globally

• Expect centralized management from your service provider
  Your service provider should provide a single point of contact, management interface, service level and invoice for the delivery of your application across the globe. This integrated approach drastically simplifies the global expansion process for an M2M application provider.
• Demand global service, with local customer support
  M2M service providers who maintain long-term, direct connect, national network service agreements with leading wireless operators in their “home” markets can provide standardized support and network services to their customers within each of their home countries and are better prepared to move solutions across global markets. Check to see if you can acquire services through your service provider to their trusted suppliers in key markets and whether they would be able to provide you and your customers local support, in the appropriate languages, as well as billing, activation & usage management under their current operator relationships – if not, you’ll be on your own when something goes wrong.
• Think long term
  Many M2M applications have life cycles of five to seven years, or longer, so plan for the long term as you evaluate M2M service providers. Consider their reputation, profitability, financial strength, depth of service plans and their international partnerships and relationships with Tier 1 providers. In the long run, a strong partnership with the right M2M service provider will pay off on both the top and bottom line as you expand your business globally with smooth and stable deployments, leading to a growing base of satisfied customers.

The market for global M2M services is growing rapidly. With some due diligence, you can make the right decisions to support your customers worldwide.

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