The Week In Review: IoT

Resources
AT&T Partner Exchange is providing new Internet of Things resources to its value-added resellers and other channel partners. They include the AT&T IoT Starter Kit, an IoT Readiness Assessment tool, and “A Channel Executive’s Guide to IoT.” The new tools work with the AT&T Control Center, the IoT platform the carrier introduced in 2016.

Deals
Tech Data is working with Propel GPS to expand its SmartForce Internet of Things portfolio of services, part of Tech Data’s Smart IoT Solutions practice. Propel GPS has a cloud-based IoT platform for all types of assets, with applications in commercial vehicle fleets, construction equipment management, transportation, and utilities.

Airgain has agreed to acquire Antenna Plus for $6.4 million in cash, addressing IoT devices in automotive fleet, government, and industrial markets. Antenna Plus was founded in 1991 and was in receivership; it makes mobile antennas and antennas for connected kiosks and vending machines.

Services

Denison Consulting Group offers training services in the field of the Industrial IoT. These training services are said to span information technology and operational technology.

Products
NXP Semiconductors is releasing its reference platform for Amazon Alexa, integrating Amazon’s far-field voice recognition technology and the Alexa Voice Service. The reference platform, which includes the chip company’s i.MX applications processors, enables the development of high-performance devices utilizing Alexa. The NXP Reference Platform for Amazon Alexa is available to commercial device manufacturers. Details here.

Fortemedia has introduced the iM501 voice processor for artificial intelligence, automotive, and Internet of Things applications. The chip, which has a high-end Tensilica HiFi Mini digital signal processor core, offers always-on voice detection with low power consumption, according to the company.

Conferences
Bsquare said its vice president of marketing, Kevin Walsh, will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday, April 18, at the second annual Industrial Internet of Things USA event at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile hotel. His theme will be “Thinking Holistically About Industrial IoT.”

Organizations

The IPSO Alliance and the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) concluded a reciprocal agreement to collaborate and share information between the organizations, which will work together on IoT interoperability for the connected home and intelligent buildings.

GMO GlobalSign has joined the Wi-SUN Alliance, which promotes interoperable wireless standards-based offerings for the IoT. GlobalSign secures connected devices for the smart city, smart utility, and IoT markets.

Market Research
ReportsnReports.com has a study forecasting that the global market for the Internet of Things will be worth $185.9 billion by 2023, compared with $16.3 billion last year, largely driven by Industrial IoT applications. See the report here.

Background Information
Don’t know much about the Internet of Things? Read here and learn. What does the IoT mean for telecommunications? Then read here.