Smith Micro Software: Democratization of M2M Communication

William W. Smith, Jr, President & CEO

As networking and wireless technologies continue to evolve, businesses today have realized the value of wireless Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication that makes possible to connect and manage virtually anything, anywhere. It has shaped organization’s functionality by automating the manual work processes to ultimately result in lowered operational costs, enhanced productivity and control. However, challenges around selecting the appropriate M2M solution and securing networked devices and communication data continues to plague this growing industry. Aliso Viejo, CA based NASDAQ listed wireless technology leader Smith Micro Software develops customizable embedded software for networked devices designed to connect, control and capitalize the mobile experience. The company offers three core product families—QuickLink - applications for connecting consumer and M2M devices to 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi; NetWise - a policy-on-device platform for controlling device behavior, optimizing data traffic, engaging mobile users, and improving Quality of Experience over wireless networks and CommSuite - a voice, messaging and video service.

Smith Micro’s NetWise Device Management (DM) platform is a core part of NetWise family for efficient IoT-M2M communication that combines robust NetWise on-device rules engine with the Open Mobile Alliance’s (OMA) Light Weight Machine-to-Machine (LWM2M) management object model. The platform helps businesses effortlessly manage many different types of connected devices, each running on different operating systems. The NetWise DM platform combines the efficiency and lightweight operation of OMA LWM2M’s standard management specification with rules-based, on-device logic and extendable development atmosphere to tame the complexity of device management.

NetWise DM’s configuration and dependency management functionality empowers autonomous device operation by minimizing operational costs and saving time. DM provides unparalleled flexibility and customization capabilities to developers for creating business logics and conditional actions quickly without any hard-coding. NetWise DM's policy-based command and control function supports simplified remote device configuration, rules-based update orchestration and dependency management.

With NetWise policy on device platform, we create new opportunities to engage consumers and capitalize on the growth of connected devices

Furthermore, with OMA LWM2M management object model's Observe and Notify command set, NetWise DM automates the device health monitoring process. This command set also enables continuous monitoring of active devices and parameters that can be triggered by local events on the device. NetWise DM’s Observe and Notify command set also eliminates expendable data transfer and administration costs related to device’s ‘health’ verification. Also NetWise DM's modular architecture accelerates custom development of secure M2M connection. Its plug-in framework streamlines the process of adding custom management parameters and functionality to any Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system.

As technology is improving constantly, the ability to respond quickly and cost-effectively with firmware updates across geographically diverse locations is becoming increasingly essential for businesses. Smith Micro’s NetWise FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) powered by NetWise policy-on-device platform empowers M2M system integrators and enterprises to provide firmware and software updates over-the-air and efficiently manage connected devices throughout their entire lifecycle.

With over three decade of expertise, Smith Micro is en-route to simplify wireless connectivity to reduce support costs and increase accessibility. The company’s primary customers include leading global wireless service providers, mobile device and chipset manufacturers who manage devices, communications and network connectivity for end-users, as well as M2M endpoints. “With NetWise policy on device platform, we create new opportunities to engage consumers and capitalize on the growth of connected devices,” says William W. Smith, Jr., President and CEO, Smith Micro Software. Recently the company has acquired Birdstep Technology AB, an arm of Birdstep Technology ASA (OSO: BIRD). “By integrating Birdstep’s technology into our NetWise platform, Smith Micro will address challenges in network Quality of Service management, Wi- Fi discovery, offload and provisioning, and consumer mobile engagement,” ends Smith.