Unit Has Singular Focus on Emerging Devices for Multiple Platforms - 3G, 4G, iDEN and IP - and Drive Rapid Go-to-Market Strategy.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., -- Leveraging America's most dependable 3G network*, wireless 4G capabilities that are well ahead of other national wireless carriers, and industry-leading iDEN and wireline/IP networks, Sprint (NYSE:S) has formed a new Emerging Solutions business unit with a singular focus on accelerating the delivery of machine-to-machine (M2M) and mobile computing solutions to businesses and consumers.
This new strategic business unit consolidates resources into one team with common goals and a sharp focus on Sprint's overall open device and M2M strategy and business development. The unit will assess revenue opportunities, develop go-to-market plans and execute quickly, working closely with Sprint's customer-facing channels and partners. This move builds on more than 10 years of experience in working with vendors to provision non-Sprint-branded devices to operate on its networks, as well as extensive expertise in operating multiple platforms and assets.
Sprint will focus on innovative applications in these key areas, which are rapidly transforming the ways machines and people interact:
Mobile computing devices together with traditional consumer electronics and devices with broadband access offer increased durability, hardware/software integration, simple setup and lower support costs for customers and partners.
M2M devices deliver capabilities to multiple industries and include such applications as remote monitoring, asset tracking, fleet management, telematics, automation and control, automated meter reading, SmartGrid initiatives, point-of-sale/ATM and wireless routing.
"With the multiple players in M2M and varied solutions that can be complicated to implement, businesses often need help cutting through the complexity," said Steve Hilton, vice president of research, Yankee Group. "Sprint's M2M history and new focused approach will make them thoughtful partners for businesses in this space as well as lead to continued innovation in solutions for consumers."
Emerging Solutions has a substantial ecosystem of both internal expertise and external partners to draw upon to ensure speed-to-market and delivery of the most appropriate solutions to meet the varied customer needs. The team will leverage the hundreds of Sprint solutions specialists who interface with business customers every day - such as solutions engineering, custom network and industry-specific specialists - and understand and continually gain new information about the evolving mobility needs of businesses. The team will work closely with Sprint's consumer customer-facing channels and leverage its strong relationships with national third-party retailers and wholesale partners.
"Emerging Solutions will be a differentiator for Sprint and is a critical aspect of our future," said Danny Bowman, president of Integrated Solutions Group, Sprint. "Customers want mobile computing devices and wide area wireless access now, and we are well positioned to keep 'on top of the wave' for this heavy demand. Wayne Ward will lead our Emerging Solutions team. Based on his 25 years of experience in marketing, product development and professional services, he is uniquely qualified to lead a team focused on developing a clear, unified strategy to generate new business, implement a comprehensive sales approach, and rapidly execute."
Sprint is an established leader in the M2M and mobile computing marketplace. Through the Sprint Open Device Initiative, Sprint has numerous partners and has certified hundreds of machine-to-machine and mobile computing devices for use on the Sprint mobile broadband network. Examples of partners and solutions:
Sprint today is announcing a new partnership with Numerex, leveraging its proven models for the design, certification, testing and launch of new applications. Customers will benefit with a fast and successful M2M implementation. Numerex has expertise in solutions for many segments including security, utilities, transportation, government, finance and health care.
A recently announced partnership between Sprint and M2M DataSmart will provide a flexible and comprehensive set of building blocks to simplify the complete process of bringing new M2M products and services to market, allowing customers to focus on their core competencies.
Through Sprint's agreement with Ford Motor Company (around Ford Work Solutions, www.fordworksolutions.com), in 2009 Ford F-Series and E-Series vehicles, and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect vehicles, Ford offers an in-dashboard computer with available Internet connectivity via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. This allows field workers to use productivity applications while they are on the go, including real-time labor and material-cost capture, inventory updates, invoice generation and work-order completion.
In telemetry, XATA is a key partner with proven on-demand fleet software and expert professional services to drive down fleet expenses and move customers toward 100 percent regulatory compliance and improved driver safety.
DriveCam is the only company that provides cellular download of triggered events so clients can easily access risky driving events anywhere, anytime via the exclusive online coaching interface, DriveCam OnlineTM, powered by Sprint Mobile Broadband.
Sprint has certified more than 140 mobile computing devices from a variety of manufacturers on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network.
"The critical piece of our puzzle was that we needed to find a partner that had the same vision we did: the machine-to-machine transmission of large amounts of data," said Brandon Nixon, CEO of DriveCam. "We selected Sprint for two very good reasons. They had an entrepreneurial view that was very consistent with ours, and they had a very solid, stable, ubiquitous network. Also, most of our clients are Fortune 500 companies so we needed a company that could perform at that level. Sprint has shown it can, and it's been a terrific relationship for us."
For more information about mobile computing, visit www.sprint.com/embedded. For more information about M2M, visit www.sprint.com/wholesale/m2m.shtml.
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