Sony Ericsson today announced the launch of the GT47 and GT48 "intelligent" and versatile control terminals that work as part of Sony Ericsson’s innovative M2mpower Business Solution that facilitates the development of cost-effective machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.
The GT47/GT48 works with M2mpower to allow customers to embed M2M applications more simply, quickly and more cost-effectively. The products will be available from Q3 and Q4 respectively. The GT47/GT48 will lower the entry barriers to M2M communications and offer simplified development minimising risk and allowing customers to focus on their core business and on how they can use the GT47 and GT48 to add value. The GT47/GT48 present opportunities for many smaller companies with great ideas, to push forward into application development with a compact unit that provides a valuable ‘toolbox’ for creating wireless M2M products.
The GT47/GT48 is a self-contained unit capable of running directly embedded applications thereby minimising the need for extra hardware. With little or no need for hardware changes or additions, development costs can be kept low with applications designed, developed and tested in double-quick time, meaning that overall investment can be minimised.
Anders Franzén, Corporate Vice President for M2M at Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, says: “The GT47 and GT48 take M2mpower to the next level. These products represent a huge step forward and provide very cost effective solutions for a wide variety of customers for whom a tailored solution simply wouldn’t have been possible. They illustrate clearly the advantages of our M2mpower innovation and it means that the advantages of M2M communications will be available to many more people, more cheaply.”
Adaptable and easy to use, the GT47/GT48 can be used in a multitude of wireless applications including fleet and asset management, vending, security and alarm monitoring, e-maintenance and other telemetry applications. As well as serving the well established M2M markets other potential applications include security surveillance in the home, or even away from the home in a car, boat or caravan.
The GT47 and GT48 are available as part of the M2mpower package which provides everything required to get wireless M2M applications fast to market. As well as the control terminal the package comprises software development tools including application function libraries and reference applications. Importantly, the M2mpower package provides comprehensive training and support. The scripting language is based on the industry standard C language, allowing developers with existing applications to make a smooth transition to M2mpower. The hardware developer’s kit contains the hardware elements required to become operational, including the GT47/GT48, AC power adaptor, GSM antenna, accessory cables and CD containing product manuals and drivers.
Customer trials are already underway with selected companies in the EMEA region. A number of applications have already been successfully embedded onto the GT47 using M2mpower. In Germany CEP AG has already started to promote GT47 into the market of facility management in Germany and Eastern Europe. First orders have been placed by a large customer that has been promoting GSM-facility management solutions in Europe since 1999. CEP's customer installs the GT47, connected to an alarm sensor, in both private houses and corporate facilities as part of a security application. The GT47 sends an alarm to a security service centre or to the mobile phone of the owner. Alternatively the GT47 can also allow a home owner to control, light, heating and air conditioning systems remotely.