Historically, machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) developers have faced a complex and fragmented industry with dated business models. This is especially true when finding a cellular carrier where the norm is a lengthy sales cycle, a complex on-boarding process, and an opaque pricing model. Not surprisingly, the traditional way of doing business has not served customers well, as they are often faced with lengthy time to market and unexpected costs. This business model is at odds with the evolution of the technology industry as a whole, where service delivery, as exemplified by market leaders Amazon and Zappos, is based on openness, transparency, and simplicity.

 Aeris, the Made for Machines technology and service provider, is removing one of the biggest barriers hampering the explosive potential of the next generation of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions with the launch of Neo. An open and transparent online marketplace for IoT and M2M connectivity, Neo opens up the  potential of the Internet of Things by simplifying the development process, speeding time-to-market, and dramatically lowering costs by 50 percent or more.

Neo brings these values to the M2M and IoT market. The Neo online platform enables customers to purchase a connectivity solution in minutes, and have a fully functional solution within a day.

Partner Play

With Neo, value-added resellers (VARs), Systems Integrators (SIs), and Distributors can offer their customers the option to purchase connectivity online from their website, either separately or as an add-on to a hardware sale.

In the past, these channels were forced to accept the challenging terms of the carrier agency agreements or build out expensive MVNO operations.   

Aeris understands that connectivity should be an embedded component of a solution and that VARs and Systems Integrators are best positioned to manage the end-user relationship.  Only by understanding the customer’s needs and offering a complete solution (connectivity included) can the impact of the IOT truly be realized.  Neo does exactly that.  NEO is a simple, easy to use portal that can by linked to a channel website, jointly branded or completely white-labeled to offer custom embedded solutions. 

Neo will allow channel partners to move away from the carrier agency plans, to avoid extensive platform development costs and to make connectivity readily available in the way that the market wants to purchase it.  NEO removes the sales friction that has dominated the wireless market since its inception and held back channel sales of connected solutions.

“With Neo, our goal is simple: Break the traditional business model and unleash the next generation of IoT solutions,” said Aeris CEO Marc Jones. “The values that underpin leading Internet companies today are conspicuously missing in the IoT industry. With Neo, we will change that.”

Neo is designed for any connectivity customer looking for a fresh approach – whether an IoT developer with a new business idea or a solutions provider with active programs and thousands of units deployed. For these market segments, existing connectivity solutions are often inadequate and not able to meet the cost and service goals that companies expect. The problem is especially acute for opportunities smaller than 500 units, which are too small to get the attention of an MNO and typically receive poor service and attention. On the other hand, these smaller innovators are often developing the next generation of IoT solutions.

Click here to learn more about Neo.

Andy Greig is Vice President of Sales, North America, leading the Aeris SMB, enterprise and Neo teams in the U.S. He is responsible for building and executing go to market plans, strategy, forecasting and pricing.

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