As the capabilities of technology continue to grow and become more connected every day, so do Machine to Machine communications (M2M), the automated communications of data between connected devices. Also referred to as the Internet of Things (IOT), M2M empowers businesses and organizations to deliver real value, cost savings and innovation to management.

M2M enables real-time monitoring for almost any industry; healthcare, telematics, energy, financial services and telecommunications are all popular adopters of the technology. WebNMS, a network management division of Zoho (News - Alert) Corporation, offers a framework for M2M to monitor and control passive infrastructure and to operate large networks of devices. Its background is as a telecommunications network management solution, which has been deployed in more than 25,000 systems around the world. The company extended WebNMS to manage networks and M2M infrastructure.

WebNMS’ carrier-grade network and M2M management platform is designed to be extended to match the requirements for equipment vendors and service providers. It sets itself apart from other platforms and solutions in the industry through its high-availability, customization and high-scale capabilities. Its experience in telecommunications gives WebNMS the expertise in dealing with high-scale and availability systems, monitoring millions of managed objects to ensure uptime and effective remote monitoring and management.

“We come from a high-availability environment where uptime is the most important aspect of a management system. It’s effectively running their business,” said Eric Wegner, business development manager, Zoho Corporation in a TMCnet interview. “If it goes down, you’re blind to what is happening out in the field or in the remote location.”

The software is also available for end-users to download and evaluate in their own environments. It has a number of open application programming interfaces (APIs) for domain customization and easy system integration. Different domains, from Carrier Ethernet to mobile backhaul to cell tower and power grid management, all have special needs. The key to WebNMS’ solution is its customizable capability, which helps provide the most effective management system possible for different domain needs.

For example, the WebNMS M2M platform helps with road management infrastructure. A road sign may be in place to alert drivers of upcoming traffic, road hazards, weather conditions or similar announcements. Operators can remotely control and manage what goes on that sign and when. WebNMS also provides the framework for ATM management so banks can control factors such as performance, money, fraud and theft.

Image via WebNMS

WebNMS also provides functional modules such as fault correlation, key performance indicators (KPIs) and device configuration so users can take control of their assets.  All of this is done through secure communications and capabilities that Wegner refers to as the triple A: authentication, authorization and auditing.

“You want to take control of your assets. This M2M device is an asset, and you want to control it and get the most out of the communications between the machines,” said Wegner. WebNMS can run on-premises at a customer network operations center (NOC (News - Alert) ) or in a cloud environment.

WebNMS will be participating in the 2013 Battle of the Platforms at the M2M Evolution conference hosted next week in Miami. Battle of the Platforms is an opportunity to hear and see cutting-edge platform solutions from leading companies poised to help manage and deliver M2M solutions.

Whether you are looking to find the right M2M platform solution for your project, or are merely interested in understanding what the market has to offer – Battle of the Platforms will give you access to an excellent cross section of solutions, in a short amount of time and all in one location. To learn more, click here.  

Want to learn more about WebNMS? Don’t miss the M2M Evolution Conference, collocated with ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida.  Be sure to attend Battle of the Platforms on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. Stay in touch with everything happening at M2M Evolution Conference. Follow us on Twitter.