The convergence of agriculture and technology, often referred to as “agtech,” has become a focal point in modern farming practices

While traditional methods have sustained agriculture for centuries, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies is reshaping the industry’s landscape. The emergence of agtech trends signifies a paradigm shift towards more efficient, sustainable, and data-driven farming practices. Unlike conventional approaches, which rely heavily on manual labor and intuition, agtech leverages advanced digital solutions to optimize every aspect of the agricultural value chain.

In this article, we delve into the top agtech trends for 2023 and beyond, exploring how these innovations are revolutionizing the way we cultivate, harvest, and distribute food. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), blockchain, robotics, and data analytics, farmers and agritech companies are unlocking new opportunities for increased productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide software developers with valuable insights into the transformative potential of agtech, encouraging them to explore this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.

Artificial Intelligence in Precision Agriculture

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer in precision agriculture, offering unparalleled insights into crop health, soil conditions, and environmental factors. One of the most significant agtech trends is the integration of AI-driven solutions to optimize farming practices and maximize yields while minimizing resource usage. Unlike traditional methods that rely on manual observation and analysis, AI algorithms process vast amounts of data from satellite imagery, drones, and IoT sensors to provide real-time recommendations for crop management.

In addition to monitoring plant health and detecting pests and diseases, AI-powered systems can forecast weather patterns, predict crop yields, and optimize irrigation schedules. By harnessing machine learning algorithms, farmers can make data-driven decisions that enhance productivity and profitability while reducing environmental impact. As agtech continues to evolve, we can expect AI to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of precision agriculture, enabling more efficient resource allocation and sustainable food production practices.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Sensor Technology

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized agriculture by enabling the seamless integration of sensors, devices, and data analytics platforms across the farm ecosystem. One of the prominent agtech trends is the proliferation of IoT-enabled solutions that provide real-time monitoring and control of agricultural operations. From soil moisture sensors and weather stations to smart irrigation systems and livestock tracking devices, IoT technologies offer unprecedented visibility into farm conditions and performance metrics.

By leveraging IoT and sensor technology, farmers can optimize resource usage, improve crop yields, and enhance livestock management practices. For example, IoT-enabled irrigation systems can automatically adjust water flow based on soil moisture levels, reducing waste and conserving water. Similarly, livestock monitoring devices equipped with GPS and biometric sensors can track animal health and behavior, enabling proactive intervention to prevent disease outbreaks or optimize feeding schedules.

Blockchain Solutions for Supply Chain Transparency

Blockchain technology has emerged as a disruptive force in agriculture, offering unparalleled transparency, traceability, and trust in the food supply chain. One of the most significant agtech trends is the adoption of blockchain-based solutions to address issues related to food safety, authenticity, and provenance. By recording every transaction on an immutable ledger, blockchain enables stakeholders to track the journey of food products from farm to fork, ensuring accountability and integrity at every stage of the supply chain.

In addition to enhancing transparency and traceability, blockchain solutions can help mitigate risks associated with food fraud, contamination, and counterfeit products. By providing consumers with access to detailed information about the origin, production methods, and handling practices of food items, blockchain empowers them to make informed choices and support sustainable, ethical food production practices. As agtech continues to evolve, we can expect blockchain to play an increasingly vital role in promoting trust and transparency in the global food system.

Robotics and Automation in Farming

Robotics and automation are revolutionizing agriculture by augmenting human labor with intelligent machines capable of performing a wide range of tasks with precision and efficiency. One of the most significant agtech trends is the adoption of robotic systems for planting, harvesting, and post-harvest processing operations. From autonomous tractors and drones to robotic arms and sorting machines, robotics technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to streamline farm operations and increase productivity.

By leveraging robotics and automation, farmers can overcome labor shortages, reduce operational costs, and improve overall efficiency. For example, autonomous tractors equipped with GPS and computer vision can navigate fields with precision, planting seeds and applying fertilizers with optimal spacing and timing. Similarly, robotic harvesters can identify and pick ripe fruits and vegetables with speed and accuracy, reducing waste and increasing yield. As agtech continues to advance, we can expect robotics and automation to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of farming.

Sustainable Agriculture Practices with Data Analytics

Sustainable agriculture is a pressing concern in the face of climate change, resource depletion, and population growth. Agtech trends are driving the adoption of data analytics to optimize farming practices and minimize environmental impact. By harnessing the power of big data, machine learning, and predictive analytics, farmers can make informed decisions that promote soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity conservation.

One of the most significant applications of data analytics in agriculture is precision farming, which involves the targeted application of inputs such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides based on real-time data and analysis. By optimizing resource usage and minimizing waste, precision farming enables farmers to increase productivity while reducing environmental footprint. Additionally, data analytics can help identify trends and patterns in weather, pests, and crop performance, enabling proactive management strategies to mitigate risks and maximize yields.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the top agtech trends for 2023 and beyond are transforming the agricultural industry, offering unprecedented opportunities for increased productivity, profitability, and sustainability. From artificial intelligence and IoT to blockchain, robotics, and data analytics, these innovative technologies are reshaping the way we produce, distribute, and consume food. As software developers, embracing these trends and developing innovative solutions can help address some of the most pressing challenges facing the global food system. By harnessing the power of agtech, we can create a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for agriculture and society as a whole.

The post Top 6 Agriculture Technology Trends for 2023 and Beyond appeared first on IoT Business News.

Consumer adoption of eSIM technology continues to grow rapidly, according to exclusive market monitoring figures released today by Trusted Connectivity Alliance (TCA).

The latest data shows that consumer eSIM profile downloads* more than doubled in 2023, increasing 109% year-on-year.

Growth was predominantly driven by accelerating adoption within the North American market, where the wide availability and demand for eSIM-only smartphone models has seen leading mobile operators transition to ‘digital-first’ strategies. Adoption rates also doubled across Asia and Western Europe.

Future growth in consumer eSIM adoption is expected to be boosted by the launch of eSIM-only smartphones across more regions, coupled with the broader availability of eSIM-enabled devices. Rebounding levels of international travel —anticipated to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024—also stand to support increased uptake as consumers turn to eSIM for greater choice and convenience when roaming.

The overall upswing in consumer adoption was supported by significant ongoing investment in eSIM Subscription Manager (SM) platforms, which enable the remote provisioning and lifecycle management of eSIMs. The number of deployed consumer eSIM SM platforms rose by 25% in 2023 as mobile operators continued to bolster their digital capabilities.

“For technologies to be widely adopted, they must be safe and reliable, provide a great experience and, most importantly, deliver real value,” comments Bertrand Moussel, Chair of the TCA Board. “Our latest data makes it clear that wider eSIM availability is translating into strong adoption, with consumers across the world now realising the benefits of flexible and seamless connectivity.”

TCA provides exclusive statistical insight into the global SIM and eSIM ecosystem based on members’ market data, offering authoritative insight which is trusted by stakeholders across the mobile industry. Other key industry trends in 2023 included:

Strong Foundation for Growing eSIM Adoption Across Automotive and IoT Verticals

M2M eSIM adoption—predominantly focused across automotive use-cases—was also supported by a 12% increase in the deployment of M2M eSIM SM platforms.

Looking ahead, global standardisation efforts such as GSMA’s eSIM for IoT Specifications (SGP.31 and SGP.32) will play an important role in promoting increased eSIM adoption across IoT verticals. The specifications introduce new, dedicated features to meet specific IoT requirements, simplifying deployments at massive scale and addressing the challenges associated with remotely provisioning and managing constrained IoT devices.

eSIM Volumes Resilient Despite Significant Economic Uncertainty

TCA is also the only organisation to offer a quantitative global view of eSIM shipment volumes, providing both actual and forecast data. eSIM shipments collectively reported by TCA members decreased marginally by 2% to 374 million units, with TCA estimating that the total available market for eSIM was 390 million units in 2023.

Notably, volumes remained stable in the face of strong macro-economic headwinds. Global inflationary pressures and the ‘cost-of-living’ crisis reduced overall consumer demand for smartphones and mobile subscriptions in 2023, though easing inflation towards the end of the year points towards a more positive outlook for 2024. The ongoing impact of the global chip shortage—which saw operators overstock in 2022 to mitigate potential supply chain pressures—also tempered demand but is anticipated to rebalance towards normal levels in 2024.

Digitalisation of the SIM Market Accelerates

The market for ‘traditional’ SIM was similarly shaped by broader macro-economic factors, with TCA estimating the total available market for SIM (excluding eSIM) reduced by 7% to 3.8 billion units in 2023. There was also a clear trend signalling the increasing digitalisation of the overall SIM market amid accelerating eSIM adoption in key regions such as North America.

Moussel adds: “As the evolution of the SIM ecosystem gathers pace, TCA is committed to bringing together stakeholders to address emerging opportunities and challenges. By collaborating on initiatives that increase interoperability, promote trust and support sustainable innovation across the secure connectivity ecosystem, the full promise of the global digital economy can be realised.”

The post Trusted Connectivity Alliance Reports that Consumer eSIM Adoption Doubled in 2023 as Digitalisation of SIM Market Accelerates appeared first on IoT Business News.

Fintech technology has taken center stage in today’s rapidly evolving digital environment, playing an ever-increasing role in various sectors, including IoT. As finance departments witness major transformations, IoT integrates with fintech to create smarter, more efficient financial operations. Research forecasts the fintech industry to amass $1,152.06 billion by 2032, with IoT being a key driver of this growth.

In this industry, there are certain trends that shape its development course, with the rise of AI technology at the top. There are a handful of other trends and predictions revolving around the fintech industry, and this article shares useful insight into some of them.

Accounts Payable Automation

One particular technology that revolutionizes how finance departments operate is accounts payable automation technology. This breakthrough in fintech represents an incredible advancement in financial technology. By integrating IoT devices, such as connected scanners and automated data entry systems, invoice processing, payment approvals, and reconciliation all benefit from reduced manual errors and enhanced control over financial operations. This automation process provides unprecedented levels of efficiency and accuracy, particularly when IoT technologies are involved.

Aligning With the Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Solutions

Artificial intelligence and machine learning promise to transform financial processes over the coming decades, with IoT playing a crucial role. Finance departments are rapidly adopting AI tools, leveraging IoT-generated data to automate repetitive tasks, analyze large datasets, and gain new insights.

Machine learning algorithms can analyze historical financial data from IoT devices to detect patterns, catch anomalies, predict trends accurately, and enhance operational efficiency. This type of cutting-edge technology not only improves decision-making capacities and risk-management capabilities but does so by harnessing the power of connected devices.

Following the Expansion of Blockchain Technology

Initially associated with cryptocurrency transactions, today, blockchain technology is increasingly adopted and utilized by finance departments, integrating seamlessly with IoT infrastructures. This somewhat novel technology carries the promise of disrupting traditional financial processes and transactions, ensuring more secure and transparent data exchanges in IoT environments.

Blockchain provides a decentralized, immutable ledger that enhances transparency, trustworthiness, and safety during any financial transaction involving IoT devices. As this emerging technology develops further, it’s expected to see increased adoption in managing the transactions of connected devices and systems. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Measures Will Become More Prominent

As financial processes digitize, increasing security risks to data and infrastructure, integrating IoT with cybersecurity has become crucial. Financial departments are prioritizing sophisticated cybersecurity measures like encryption, multi-factor authentication, and biometric verification to protect sensitive financial and IoT-generated data from unauthorized access and breaches.

Additionally, AI-powered cybersecurity solutions that utilize data from IoT devices are deployed in real-time to detect emerging threats, ensuring the safety and integrity of financial transactions across connected networks.

Cloud-Based Solutions Become More Popular

The adoption of cloud-based solutions is revolutionizing how finance departments manage operations, with IoT enhancing this transformation. Cloud computing provides the scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency necessary for finance professionals to access and analyze data from IoT devices anywhere, at any time. This integration facilitates real-time visibility into financial performance and enhances collaboration among team members across different IoT-enabled platforms.

As remote work gains traction, the seamless integration of IoT with cloud-based financial solutions is becoming increasingly essential.

Digital Payments and Contactless Technologies Take Center Stage

The shift towards digital payments and contactless technologies is being accelerated by IoT, transforming finance departments more rapidly than ever. Consumers and businesses are adopting cashless transactions via IoT-enabled e-commerce systems, mobile banking, and e-wallet apps. By 2028, transactions through digital wallets are expected to surpass $16 trillion, a 77% increase from 2023, much of it facilitated by IoT technologies like near-field communication (NFC) and enhanced secure channels.

Finance departments are leveraging these IoT-integrated solutions to streamline accounts receivable and payable processes and improve cash flow management.

Conclusion: The Future of IoT in Fintech Is Brighter Than Ever

The integration of IoT with financial technology offers unprecedented promise to finance departments aiming to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and drive innovation. From artificial intelligence and blockchain to advanced cybersecurity measures and cloud computing platforms, finance professionals are now equipped with a plethora of IoT-enhanced technological advancements.

Keeping abreast of emerging IoT and fintech trends will position financial departments for success in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. As we look towards the future, leveraging these innovations will be crucial for navigating the evolving landscape of financial technology and driving sustainable growth.

The post The Convergence of IoT and Financial Technology: Emerging Trends and Future Insights appeared first on IoT Business News.

Insurance fraud detection has taken some new turns over the past few years. With increasingly advanced technology, integrating AI and machine learning in fraud detection software is a necessity. Americans lose about $300B every year from insurance fraud, with over $60B from false claims of Medicare insurance only.

Traditional fraud detection is based on manual labor of tasks like underwriting, reviewing, historical analysis, or watching databases. Such rule-based tasks can hinder the efficiency and precision of the goals, that is, minimizing such activities.

Technology is a solution to all such challenges. With AI and machine learning, one can now do wonders in every life like never before. AI chatbots and software can develop the chain of fraud detection analysis, so the ratio of fraudulent activities would drop significantly.

Use of Insurance fraud detection software

Insurance fraud detection software developed using machine learning, AI chatbots, advanced algorithms, extensive databases, and analytical design can prevent insurance fraud. It would provide real-time fraud detection through suspicious patterns in false claims.

Cutting-edge technology can be used with trained software developers to develop specialized software according to your needs.

Types of Frauds in the Insurance Industry

Before discussing their fixes, let’s review the types of fraud that insurers experience. This will help them better understand and customize software development.

False Claims

This would include claims that never happened, pre-existing ones, or those with tempered details. One can go to any extent to get the benefit of insurance, whether it’s applicable or not.

Staged Accidents

This happens when accidents are scripted to claim insurance money. If not prevented, such frauds can cost insurers money in medical and property insurance.

Healthcare Misstatements

This is the same as false claims. Policyholders can claim significant statements intentionally by giving concocted history, expensive medical procedures, and false statements.

False Identities

Fraudulent activities through identity theft are also a possibility. One can take someone’s identity to claim insurance.

Staged Property Damage

Like staged accidents, one can intentionally damage property, such as household or office buildings, and then disguise it as accidental. Setting the property on fire or not taking obvious precautionary measures are examples of this.

False Business Claims

This category includes both false claims and misrepresented ones. Businesses can present a loss as having a much higher value than its actual one. Intentionally making risky decisions also falls into this category.

False Life Insurance Claims

In this type of fraud, individuals can stage the death of a person with life insurance to claim the money. Also, they can make false claims by stating the holder is a severe patient of some deadly disease.

Such common types of fraud can cause considerable loss that impacts insurance companies directly or indirectly. They can claim money that directly disturbs the company’s finances. Customer insurer trust deteriorates with such activities. People’s trust in insurance fades away eventually.

Other than these direct losses, the company can bear the reputation impact. The costs of resolving such cases or recovering money from false claims would also disturb their finances.

Key Features in Developing The Software

The key features should be included in the fraud detection software.

Machine Learning

Machine learning provides advanced algorithms that can analyze big data and improve detection rates. It would reduce manual labor as well as errors from work. Workload would be reduced as well as sped up, as it can complete analysis in minutes that might otherwise take days.

Real-Time Monitoring

This would analyze the previous fraudulent patterns and match them with the existing claims. After identifying similar patterns between both, it can be used for real-time monitoring of suspicious behaviors.

Predictive Modelling

The software’s AI chatbots should be able to make predictions and provide data about potential threats. This model also uses machine learning and pattern analysis.

Automation in workflow

Automation helps prevent the losses indirectly by speeding up the process. A smooth and streamlined workflow would be much more efficient than the traditional one.

Identity Analysis

Geographic analysis can detect fraudulent patterns. Identity analysis, which involves reviewing the policyholder’s past travel history, family history, and biometric verification, can give enough data to determine whether that individual falls into a specific red-flagged category.

Conclusion

As we have discussed potential frauds in the insurance industry, insurers can now grasp the company’s loopholes. Developing software with earlier innovations can keep the fraud ratio significantly low.

Once made on the software development, the investment would give the ROI a much greater return.

The post Innovations in Fraud Detection: Exploring Cutting-edge Technologies and Solutions appeared first on IoT Business News.

According to a new market research report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active bicycle telematics systems in Europe and North America will reach 3.9 million in 2028, up from 1.7 million active units in 2023.

The adoption of bicycle telematics systems has picked up speed in recent years. There are both aftermarket and OEM telematics solutions available on the market.

Martin Cederqvist, IoT Analyst at Berg Insight, said:

“The main use case for bicycle telematics systems is stolen vehicle tracking and theft prevention. Bicycle theft is a growing concern and millions of bicycles are stolen every year in Europe and North America. Telematics solutions have proved to be an effective measure for protecting bicycles”

Bicycle OEMs have also introduced services such as predictive maintenance and vehicle diagnostics, crash detection services, over-the-air software updates and connected navigation. Bicycle OEMs can use such services to differentiate their offering as well as improve the user experience. The main application for aftermarket bicycle telematics systems is stolen vehicle tracking and some solutions then also include stolen vehicle recovery services.

The market is also driven by the increasing uptake of electric bicycles, which are more costly compared to conventional bicycles. OEM telematics systems are usually integrated with the e-bike battery that can power the telematics device.

“Some insurance companies offer customers discounts on insurance premiums if the bicycles are equipped with an active telematics device with tracking capabilities. Telematics devices usually enable live tracking of the bicycle which increases the probability of finding the bicycle again if stolen, which is the reason why insurance companies are ready to offer lower premiums”, said Mr Cederqvist.

There are numerous of bicycle OEMs offering connected services today. Examples of such companies include Ampler Bikes from Estonia; Canyon Bicycles, Riese & Müller and Urtopia from Germany; Cowboy and Stella from Belgium; Gaya from France; Gazelle, Sparta, Urban Arrow and Van Moof from the Netherlands; as well as QuietKat from the US. The leading telematics service providers are based in Europe. Those include Comodule, Conneqtech, IoT Venture, Velco and PowUnity. Other providers serving the market include Bosch, Haveltec, BikeFinder, Trackap, Tracefy, Boomerang Bike, Leopard Tech, ConnectLab and Boréal Bikes.

“Many telematics service providers offer a combination of OEM and aftermarket solutions while some focus on one of the segments. Telematics service providers moreover provide different forms of telematics solutions ranging from relatively simple tracking services to full telematics systems enabling a wide range of features”, concluded Mr Cederqvist.

The post The installed base of bicycle telematics systems in Europe and North America reached 1.7 million in 2023 appeared first on IoT Business News.

Soracom, Inc., a global provider of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, today announced that Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. has chosen Soracom to add cellular connectivity to MELCloud, a next-generation, cloud-based remote management system for Mitsubishi Electric air conditioning, heating, and heat recovery/ventilation products.

Demand for climate control systems that can maintain comfort while conserving energy is growing in Europe, driven both by recent increases in energy costs and by accelerating decarbonization efforts that go beyond the EU Emissions Trading System to include the introduction of a new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and new approaches to carbon pricing. In particular, demand for heat pump water heating continues to grow rapidly, as users seek an effective and energy-efficient alternative to existing combustion boilers.

MELCloud offers a wide range of new capabilities designed to help optimize the performance and efficiency of Mitsubishi Electric air conditioning, heating, and heat recovery/ventilation systems. The MELCloud interface allows for remote operation of air conditioning and heating systems from a PC, tablet, or smartphone, in real time or programmatically with seasonal or weekly timers. Operating data, including detailed system status, energy consumption, temperature, airflow and more, is transmitted to the cloud for analysis and system optimization, with detailed logs and error notifications available.

MELCloud is now available throughout Europe, with nearly 1 million units already registered to the service at the end of 2023. The addition of Soracom cellular connectivity supports seamless performance where dedicated Wi-Fi may not be available, reliable, or accessible, such as multi-unit residential locations like condominiums, apartments, and municipal public housing sites.

Soracom was selected for this project based on extensive evaluation of its coverage in Europe, reliable access to networks with multi-carrier coverage, and powerful connectivity management platform. Worldwide, the Soracom IoT SIM now offers multi-carrier cellular connectivity in more than 180 countries and regions, across over 390 mobile operator networks.

“Soracom’s cloud-native connectivity was designed to support visionary enterprises like Mitsubishi Electric Europe as they deploy at scale,” said Takashi Serizawa, Head of Europe Region for Soracom. “The MELCloud initiative shows how IoT technology and cloud computing are already advancing Europe’s ambitious environmental goals.”

“MELCloud defines the state of the art for cloud-based control of air conditioning and heating systems,” said Donald Daw, Vice LES President for Mitsubishi Electric Europe.

“Adding Soracom’s reliable multi-carrier cellular connectivity gives MELCloud customers across Europe the power to optimize both comfort and energy efficiency at any time, from anywhere.”

The post Mitsubishi Electric Europe Selects Soracom to Connect Cloud-Enabled HVAC Systems appeared first on IoT Business News.

Qt Group collaborates with Qualcomm to vastly reduce time-to-market for IoT manufacturers.

Qt Group, and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. are collaborating to streamline development of advanced graphical user interfaces (GUI) and software quality assurance for industrial IoT devices.

The combined force of Qt’s cross-platform development tools and Qualcomm Technologies’ means IoT manufacturers could significantly accelerate their devices’ time-to-market.

Qualcomm Technologies, one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, has long provided processors for devices in industries spanning smartphones, automobiles, Extended Reality, and IoT. Porting Qt Group’s platform on Qualcomm Technologies’ software significantly streamlines how software vendors develop and test UI solutions with Qualcomm Technologies’ advanced processors. It also greatly increases the ease and speed with which hardware vendors can, at scale, develop Systems on Modules (SoM) – tiny computer systems with ready-made components that can be used to easily create embedded electronic devices (from robots to security cameras).

In addition to these UI capabilities, OEMs accessing Qualcomm Technologies’ processors that support Qt can also access Qt Group’s intuitive, user-friendly software development and quality assurance tools, drastically lowering production barriers for manufacturers.

“When you tune out the noise surrounding tech innovation today, what is it really at the end of the day that impacts end users the most? It’s the user experience – specifically the user interface,” says Roger Mazzella, Senior Product Manager at Qt Group. “At Qt Group, our team has been proud to collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies in the automotive industry over the years. Now, we get to expand the benefits of all that groundwork to the IoT market, to which Qualcomm Technologies is well suited. Their high-powered processors handle data-heavy communication while providing ultra-fast performance that developers and end users expect.”

“The benefit of Qt’s technologies is that they already have a history of implementation across 70 industries,” says Juhapekka Niemi, Senior Vice President, Product Management at Qt Group.

“We will give hardware and software vendors for IoT the UI/UX development and QA tools they need right out of the box. Since these vendors don’t have to perform any integrations themselves, the ease of developing GUIs significantly cuts down the time it takes to launch their products.”

By leveraging Qt’s development tools and framework, IoT manufacturers can apply advanced 3D graphics capabilities to their device’s UI, except in a much leaner package. Other frameworks, such as game engines, also cater to high-fidelity graphics, but these normally include features that are not necessary for creating GUIs on IoT devices. Since the Qt framework instead tailors its features to these IoT devices, developers can build and run the UIs on far lower hardware requirements.

“At Qualcomm Technologies, we strongly believe in building an industry ecosystem that allows manufacturers to create excellent hardware and software solutions for vertical markets using our chipsets,” says Manvinder Singh, Vice President of Strategy and Partner Solutions Development of IoT, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This collaboration gives developers a ready-made solution to build their creative solutions on top of.”

Qt Group’s tools for designing, developing, and assuring the quality of products aim to promote closer alignment between developers and designers, streamlining workflows by letting them work simultaneously within the same framework. The tools are ideal for cross-platform development, particularly for low-powered and embedded devices.

The post Qt Group streamlines UI development for industrial IoT with Qualcomm appeared first on IoT Business News.

The topic of eSIM and remote SIM provisioning has been at the forefront of many of the discussions related to cellular-based IoT connectivity in recent years. Typically the focus has been on in-field provisioning, but in the last few months a new approach has started to emerge, in the form of In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP) involving the secure loading of mobile network SIM profiles during the manufacturing and/or order fulfilment process. In February, Transforma Insights and Kigen published a Position Paper ‘In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP): new eSIM approach drives profitability and improves product performance in connected electronics manufacturing’ which examines the concept of IFPP as an emerging approach to remote SIM provisioning for IoT connected devices. In this article Matt Hatton explores the seven key reasons why manufacturers of connected devices may want to make use of IFPP.

What is IFPP?

Before we get onto the reasons why companies may wish to make use of In-Factory Profile Provisioning it is worth briefly explaining what it is.
IFPP is an extension to the idea of remote SIM provisioning (RSP) which has been quite widely discussed. With the increasing prevalence of soldered eSIM chips and in future iSIMs, as well as increasingly strict rules about network localisation in many countries, it was necessary to develop the capability to change the SIM profile through a mechanism other than physically swapping out SIM cards. That mechanism is Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP), i.e. over-the-air switching of profiles on the SIM card without needing to access it physically. As well as some non-standard and pre-standard approaches, the GSM Association developed a set of standards for the eSIM/RSP architecture: SGP.02 (“M2M”) introduced in 2014, SGP.22 (“Consumer”) in 2016, and now SGP.32 (“IoT”) which was introduced in 2023 and with some final standardisation to be completed.

However, that isn’t the end of the story. There is another scenario in which SIM provisioning might be more effectively supported: to set the initial SIM profile(s) during the manufacturing process. This In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP) is aimed specifically at a particular type of use case: the secure loading of SIM profiles during the manufacturing and/or order fulfilment process based on characteristics such as the device capabilities or the geographic location into which it is expected to be deployed. And the GSM Association has also been active here, working on the SGP.41 specifications for an IFPP standard.

The way in which IFPP works is to allow the manufacturer to hold a digital inventory of Mobile Network Operator (MNO) eSIM profiles and integrate them by way of a profile loader in the manufacturing line, which will apply the next appropriate profile according to pre-established parameters. Typically it will be flashed to the device at the same time as firmware/software loading or when firmware is updated during personalization before the device ships.

Why use IFPP?

As part of the aforementioned Position Paper, Transforma Insights identified seven key characteristics of IFPP that make it stand out as particularly beneficial for manufacturers of connected devices. These are benefits both from IFPP specifically and remote SIM provisioning more broadly.

1. Inbound logistics

Historically, manufacturers needed to maintain an inventory of SIM cards, which may have a lead time stretching into months. Customer orders could not be fulfilled until SIM cards were delivered to the factory, leading to potential delays. In many cases the manufacturer would have to pay for the SIM cards before they arrived in the factory. With IFPP, SIM profiles are used only at the point at which they are required and they can be deployed instantly.

2. Manufacturing process time

Removing the need to manually handle and fit a plastic SIM card into the device eliminates a mechanical step from the manufacturing process, reducing labour cost and speeding up production, which is clearly critical in volume manufacturing.

3. Manufacturing flexibility

Production lines can be adapted automatically and instantaneously to different requirements for SIM profiles, simply by changing the parameters sent to the profile loader. In some cases, manufacturers opt to create generic stock to which a profile is downloaded once the order is received, typically alongside the buyer’s firmware variant. IFPP gives the flexibility to use either approach.

4. Outbound logistics

The use of IFPP removes the need to support multiple SKUs, making distribution logistics more efficient. A manufacturer might easily have 2-3 profiles from major operators for a product in North America, but in Europe, this is 26-30 due to having one operator per country. IFPP simplifies this as production runs can be managed to ensure the right connectivity is selected and meets all operator testing requirements within the process time. We should note that full flexibility is delivered through in-field provisioning, i.e. changing the SIM profile after deployment. IFPP can be deployed in conjunction with in-field provisioning.

5. Out-of-the-box working

Because the device has been pre-configured with the correct profile at time of manufacturing it will automatically attach to the right network rather than having to spin through a bootstrap profile and localising. This provides an improved service for the customer and reduces some of the overhead for MNOs/MVNOs because there is no longer a requirement to support records for short-term bootstrap profiles on the Home Subscriber Server (HSS).

6. Power saving

The power saving benefits are particularly important for many use cases, specifically those devices that rely on lifetime battery power. The power requirement of SIM provisioning – in terms of the volume of data and authentication messages – can use up quite a significant portion of a battery; up to 15% in some cases. This can have a significant impact on the lifespan of devices that had been optimised to be ultra-efficient in their frequency and volume of data delivery. This is particularly relevant for applications using Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies such as NB-IoT, which are typically highly power optimised, for instance in smart gas and water metering.

7. Sustainability

The use of plastic SIM cards involves the production of quite large quantities of waste plastic. At the point of production card bodies are discarded in large numbers. Furthermore, if any network change might need to be initiated, the SIM related to the previous network would be discarded and replaced with a new physical SIM card. There is no such waste with eSIM.

The post In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP): 7 reasons why it makes sense for connected device makers appeared first on IoT Business News.

The topic of eSIM and remote SIM provisioning has been at the forefront of many of the discussions related to cellular-based IoT connectivity in recent years. Typically the focus has been on in-field provisioning, but in the last few months a new approach has started to emerge, in the form of In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP) involving the secure loading of mobile network SIM profiles during the manufacturing and/or order fulfilment process. In February, Transforma Insights and Kigen published a Position Paper ‘In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP): new eSIM approach drives profitability and improves product performance in connected electronics manufacturing’ which examines the concept of IFPP as an emerging approach to remote SIM provisioning for IoT connected devices. In this article Matt Hatton explores the seven key reasons why manufacturers of connected devices may want to make use of IFPP.

What is IFPP?

Before we get onto the reasons why companies may wish to make use of In-Factory Profile Provisioning it is worth briefly explaining what it is.
IFPP is an extension to the idea of remote SIM provisioning (RSP) which has been quite widely discussed. With the increasing prevalence of soldered eSIM chips and in future iSIMs, as well as increasingly strict rules about network localisation in many countries, it was necessary to develop the capability to change the SIM profile through a mechanism other than physically swapping out SIM cards. That mechanism is Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP), i.e. over-the-air switching of profiles on the SIM card without needing to access it physically. As well as some non-standard and pre-standard approaches, the GSM Association developed a set of standards for the eSIM/RSP architecture: SGP.02 (“M2M”) introduced in 2014, SGP.22 (“Consumer”) in 2016, and now SGP.32 (“IoT”) which was introduced in 2023 and with some final standardisation to be completed.

However, that isn’t the end of the story. There is another scenario in which SIM provisioning might be more effectively supported: to set the initial SIM profile(s) during the manufacturing process. This In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP) is aimed specifically at a particular type of use case: the secure loading of SIM profiles during the manufacturing and/or order fulfilment process based on characteristics such as the device capabilities or the geographic location into which it is expected to be deployed. And the GSM Association has also been active here, working on the SGP.41 specifications for an IFPP standard.

The way in which IFPP works is to allow the manufacturer to hold a digital inventory of Mobile Network Operator (MNO) eSIM profiles and integrate them by way of a profile loader in the manufacturing line, which will apply the next appropriate profile according to pre-established parameters. Typically it will be flashed to the device at the same time as firmware/software loading or when firmware is updated during personalization before the device ships.

Why use IFPP?

As part of the aforementioned Position Paper, Transforma Insights identified seven key characteristics of IFPP that make it stand out as particularly beneficial for manufacturers of connected devices. These are benefits both from IFPP specifically and remote SIM provisioning more broadly.

1. Inbound logistics

Historically, manufacturers needed to maintain an inventory of SIM cards, which may have a lead time stretching into months. Customer orders could not be fulfilled until SIM cards were delivered to the factory, leading to potential delays. In many cases the manufacturer would have to pay for the SIM cards before they arrived in the factory. With IFPP, SIM profiles are used only at the point at which they are required and they can be deployed instantly.

2. Manufacturing process time

Removing the need to manually handle and fit a plastic SIM card into the device eliminates a mechanical step from the manufacturing process, reducing labour cost and speeding up production, which is clearly critical in volume manufacturing.

3. Manufacturing flexibility

Production lines can be adapted automatically and instantaneously to different requirements for SIM profiles, simply by changing the parameters sent to the profile loader. In some cases, manufacturers opt to create generic stock to which a profile is downloaded once the order is received, typically alongside the buyer’s firmware variant. IFPP gives the flexibility to use either approach.

4. Outbound logistics

The use of IFPP removes the need to support multiple SKUs, making distribution logistics more efficient. A manufacturer might easily have 2-3 profiles from major operators for a product in North America, but in Europe, this is 26-30 due to having one operator per country. IFPP simplifies this as production runs can be managed to ensure the right connectivity is selected and meets all operator testing requirements within the process time. We should note that full flexibility is delivered through in-field provisioning, i.e. changing the SIM profile after deployment. IFPP can be deployed in conjunction with in-field provisioning.

5. Out-of-the-box working

Because the device has been pre-configured with the correct profile at time of manufacturing it will automatically attach to the right network rather than having to spin through a bootstrap profile and localising. This provides an improved service for the customer and reduces some of the overhead for MNOs/MVNOs because there is no longer a requirement to support records for short-term bootstrap profiles on the Home Subscriber Server (HSS).

6. Power saving

The power saving benefits are particularly important for many use cases, specifically those devices that rely on lifetime battery power. The power requirement of SIM provisioning – in terms of the volume of data and authentication messages – can use up quite a significant portion of a battery; up to 15% in some cases. This can have a significant impact on the lifespan of devices that had been optimised to be ultra-efficient in their frequency and volume of data delivery. This is particularly relevant for applications using Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies such as NB-IoT, which are typically highly power optimised, for instance in smart gas and water metering.

7. Sustainability

The use of plastic SIM cards involves the production of quite large quantities of waste plastic. At the point of production card bodies are discarded in large numbers. Furthermore, if any network change might need to be initiated, the SIM related to the previous network would be discarded and replaced with a new physical SIM card. There is no such waste with eSIM.

The post In-Factory Profile Provisioning (IFPP): 7 reasons why it makes sense for connected device makers appeared first on IoT Business News.