Connected Corners

eSIM benefits to telco carriers/operators

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Telco & ICT, ,

eSIM: Capitalizing on SIM strengths & IoT/M2M growth eSIM (embedded SIM) platform has already been benefiting the commercial M2M/IoT segment; enabling enhanced device provisioning, management & billing services… BUT… recently has trickled into select number of consumer devices as well (e.g. Tablets, Smartwatches, etc.) Many Carriers are worried that if OEMs (en-masse) began shipping smartphones with eSIM, it would lead to higher subscriber churn (impacting revenues)… BUT… are gradually…

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NGN (5G), eSIM & Blockchain – A Trifecta for Telco Carriers/Operators

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Telco & ICT, , , , , ,

Wireless Carriers transforming from being (traditional) Connectivity Provider → (trusted) Connected Solutions Partner / Architect are best positioned to play a lead role in the Connected Life & Industry 4.0 era This first post in a multi-segment series introduces 3 key initiatives that will support Wireless Carriers through their transformative journey   Many Carriers bring to the table substantial industry expertise, existing network infrastructure & assets, extensive consumer reach, robust distribution network as well as the ‘trusted entity’…

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‘Wiifm’ stages of Consumer Engagement

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, , ,

1-2-3 stages of Wiifm – Consumer Engagement Journey (IoT) Regardless of the IoT offering (standalone device / comprehensive solution), consumer engagement could be achieved by provisioning of relatively simple insights though to autonomous actions and/or ongoing tangible rewards Stage 1: INSIGHTS In the short-term, insights-as-a-benefit from the underlying IoT device (or solution) would help in keeping consumers engaged 1.1 Primary Insights: Relating to insights generated from the direct activities of the…

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Retiring the L-wallet… One m-Transaction at a time

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, Industry, Insurance/FinTech, R/etail & QSR, , ,

The following post focuses on the In-Store m-Transaction component of the broader m-Pay & m-Commerce solutions within emerged markets (particularly U.S)… examples of which include Apple Pay, Google Pay, LoopPay, et al. The dreaded ‘F-word’… …Fragmentation is a familiar ‘problem’ whenever a new trend is initiated from within the technology sector – Contributed by an excess of Start-ups and Established players wishing to develop ’The Ultimate…

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How addressing the 1-2-3 stages of ‘Wiifm’ could enhance consumer engagement

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, , ,

That thought when you clean the drawer only to discover that long-abandoned wearable – “Why did I abandon this again? Oh yeah… it never addressed my Wiifm needs” This post explores how consumer IoT value chain players could address one of their crucial ongoing challenges – enhancing consumer engagement (translated: prevent high abandonment rates) Oh Wearables… what…

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Exploring revenue potentials of the Connected Vehicle segment

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Industry, Mobility, Telco & ICT, , , , ,

Continuing from Part 1, where we explored the monetization framework for Connected Vehicles, Part 2 dwells into the key segments & extended IoT monetization potentials Concept of CSAP The Connected Solution Aggregators & Partners (CSAP) provides the industry with an End-2-End solution…which includes hardware (sensors), connectivity (wireless), support (dealer network, 24X7 roadside maintenance, call center access) and predictive insights as a Simplified Solution…

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Yes! One vulnerable smart camera can wreck havoc across the entire smart home

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, , ,

The topic of securing consumer IoT devices has been on the wider industry’s mind for a while but has recently gained mainstream attention; in part due to the recent spate of high profile & publicized attacks 1. Threats to Consumer IoT are real… and rising Once thought to have been confined within industrial / enterprise…

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How an IoT button could enhance QSR Drive-Thru customer experience (Part 2)

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, Industry, Mobility, R/etail & QSR, , , ,

This second segment briefly explores the IoT button design concept, user interface (UI) & experience (UX) and potential peripheral opportunities this concept may present to value chain partners in the long run The 2nd installment continues from the first segment that introduced the how the concept of an IoT button could enhance Drive-Thru experience for…

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How Amazon Go could benefit… Amazon

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, Industry, R/etail & QSR, , ,

Amazon hasn’t been an e-Commerce entity for a while BUT actually an omni-service provider that is one step closer to becoming an omni-lifestyle entity To me; Amazon Go is a clear indication of the importance of Retail Ecosystems; a topic that I would share my thoughts on in more detail at a later date But…

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Revenue Potentials from Connected Vehicles (Part 1)

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, Industry, Mobility, Telco & ICT, ,

So you’ve been reading… … that Connected Vehicles are no longer bound to Hollywood movies… but in fact have moved beyond the imaginative rides of Herbie the Love Bug, Knightrider’s KITT & Dark Knight’s Tumbler into the realms of reality The newswires are abuzz with – – Gartner predicting that by 2020 there would be around 250 Million…

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How IoT-button can enhance Drive-Thru customer experience (Part 1)

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, Industry, Mobility, R/etail & QSR, , ,

Smartphones & broader tech has been changing nearly every facet of the quick-service (fast food) industry… and now it is IoT‘s turn to do it’s bit From the success of smartphone ordering through to Geo-fence based coupons and even smart fryers; the fast food industry is hard at techifying every part of it’s store operations…

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By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Healthcare, Industry, Insurance/FinTech, Telco & ICT, , , ,

Consumer IoT solution manufacturers, retailers & healthcare providers have virtually limitless opportunities to enhance the quality of lifestyle for our elderly & disabled

How smart bulbs help the assisted living

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Healthcare, Industry, Insurance/FinTech, Telco & ICT, , , ,

IoT devices & solutions that are ‘nice-to-have’ for some… could actually be ‘need-to-have’ for others! Consumer IoT – A tale of ‘nice-to-have’ vs. ‘need-to-have’ Consumer IoT products are akin to most other cyclic / discretionary product sets where the user’s purchase intent often has to pass the infamous ‘nice-to-have’ vs. ‘need-to-have’ test Where Smart Bulbs are…

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5 Emerging Trends – Smart Home Security

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Industry, Insurance/FinTech, R/etail & QSR, Telco & ICT, , , , , ,

For the purposes of this post, Smart Home Security is a part of the broader Consumer Internet of Things (IoT) solutions; as opposed to Industrial IoT solutions 5 Emerging Trends 1. Smartphones & Apps are enabling adoption of simplified Home Security solutions Pop quiz: What does it take to build a basic home self-monitoring system? Answer:…

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By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Industry, Insurance/FinTech, R/etail & QSR, Telco & ICT, , , ,

Rapid commoditization of smart security hardware, software & cloud accompanied by advanced connectivity protocols are collectively making smart home security more accessible than ever before

Commercial Drones – Role of 5G and Wireless Carriers (Part 2)

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, Industry, Mobility, Telco & ICT, , , ,

Continuing from Part 1, the following post aims to explore key connectivity protocols required for a successful commercial Drone paradigm and peek into the potential role of Wireless Carriers Connectivity Initially; Commercial Drones are expected to operate within visual range (by a manned pilot); ultimately though; greater cost & process efficiencies could only be realized through the deployment of a fleet of BVR/BLoS (Beyond Visual Range/Line of Sight)…

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Commercial Drones – Key Deployment Scenarios & Challenges (Part 1)

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Healthcare, Industry, Insurance/FinTech, Mobility, Telco & ICT, , , , ,

Drones; akin to almost every other emerging Industrial IoT solution (different from it’s Consumer IoT brethren); present virtually endless commercial applications due to their relatively small size and ability to be piloted remotely (autonomously or with the aid of a pilot) Part 1 focuses on 5 commercial drone deployment scenarios and related challenges Aside from it’s traditional use within the Military segment, Drones have also proved quite popular with…

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Partnerships key to viable Connected Health solutions

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Healthcare, Industry, Insurance/FinTech, Telco & ICT, , , , , , ,

So you’ve been hearing lately Analysts are predicting healthcare to be one of the largest vertical markets in the IoT/Connected space with CAGR of ~38% between 2015-2020; mobile health would become the fastest growing segment Usage Based Insurance (UBI) providers have said that an effective UBI solution has the potential to reduce claims cost by 40% …and many more M&A, Innovation and Optimization initiatives across the healthcare sector are…

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Emerging Trends in Consumer IoT Solutions

By: Abishek.C
Connectivity, Converging Tech, CX, Industry, R/etail & QSR, Telco & ICT, , ,

For the purposes of this post, the conversation refers to Consumer connected Internet of Things (IoT) solutions; as opposed to Industrial IoT solutions Challenges to Consumer IoT adoption  1. Connected Fragmentation & Isolated Ecosystem A plethora of entities have been investing in consumer connected IoT solutions; in some cases with their own ‘isolated ecosystem’ as a differentiator The very fact…

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Robotics & Autonomous Solutions in Customer Facing Environment

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, Industry, R/etail & QSR, , , ,

Autonomous & Robotic solutions have been making human’s lives easier since a better part of the 20th century Industrial Robotics are the mainstay of Manufacturing, Logistics, Supply Chain & Warehousing industries who depend on their high precision, low error margins, cost effective alternative & ‘tireless’ operation relative to their human counterparts Adding to the long list of benefits are robots…

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Role VR/AR play in Retailer’s Digital Transformation

By: Abishek.C
Converging Tech, CX, Industry, R/etail & QSR, , , , , ,

One of the most explored technology today is Virtual / Augmented Reality Both VR/AR aim to bring an immersive & interactive experience of the virtual world to the user in their own ways With VR, the user is ‘teleported’  into a virtual world wherein all of their interactions provide a ‘realistic feel’ with that fabricated environment With AR, users can interact with virtual objects in the real world around them In…

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