If only…
by Steve Emmons
M2M, Bidness April 2nd, 2008I keep running across M2M scenarios that would be amazingly great, except for one problem. But the “one problem” is different for each scenario.
If only the device/radio/sensor were under X dollars…
If only the data communications plan were under X dollars a month…
If only you had GSM coverage in XXX…
If only LEO satellites had a latency under X seconds…
If only we could integrate with SAP/IBM/etc…
If only the application were infinitely configurable in seconds…
If only you could get Costco/Walmart/PetCo/etc. to carry it…
THEN we would have the perfect solution!!
I’m enjoying chanting the Ublip mantra of “easy, easy, easy…” because my toes are sore and bloody from stubbing them against so many rocks and saying “if only…” But to be easy, you have to focus on simple. And to be simple, you have to work with what is, not what would be nice to have.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
The one I keep bumping my head on is the cost factor. Customer’s always seen to want better, faster, and cheaper. I’m talking to a potential customer right now that wants their device for under X dollars. But the reality is to get there the volumes have to be significant. And for the volumes to be significant the application needs lots of features to create the demand. It’s a vicious cycle and I’m working hard to push the “less is more” approach.