We are officially in excitement mode about the M2M App Challenge given the recent news about President Barack Obama’s executive order related to open data sets … those same data sets to which we are giving you access June 7-9 in Santa Clara.

President Obama took a monumental step in making government data open, accessible, and machine readable by default, all the while ensuring confidentiality and national security. Check out the video then go ahead and read our latest cover story from Peggy about why this is important.

Then be there Friday June 7 for the kickoff to the M2M App Challenge when representatives from the US Dept. of Energy will be on hand to present open data sets and sone guidance for how to use them.

Open data sets are made available across the board, and touch everything from education to healthcare to automotive to even weather-related information. Here are a few examples of what is currently being talked up:

Healthcare: The Dept. of Health and Human Services recently released new data on fees that hospitals charge, a major step in creating greater price transparency. In other cases, the open data sets can be used for developing new healthcare-related products and services.

Weather: Data related to weather can help feed newscasts, identify weather patterns to essentially help avert danger, or even create better information for insurance purposes.

Consumers: Private companies are using open data to fight credit card fraud; consumers are using open data to reduce energy bills; families are leveraging open data to compare healthcare options; etc.

Public Safety: A host of new apps and tools are accessing government data related to public safety to help in emergency response and planning situations. Leverage the various platforms being made available at the M2M App Challenge, such as Esri, www.esri.com, to incorporate geospatial data into emergency response efforts.

Automotive: Data made available from the Research Data Exchange provides a variety of data-related services that support the development, testing, and demonstration of multi-modal transportation mobility applications being pursued under the USDOT ITS Dynamic Mobility Applications (DMA) Program and other connected vehicle research activities.

In all, the president’s executive order is intended to help fuel new start-ups and entrepreneurs and to stimulate job growth in the United States. I love the fact that our M2M App Challenge is part of that process.

On May 1, a team of researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory submitted a paper that offers the potential to solve one of the smart grid’s most significant issues: Secure data exchanges between monitoring devices and central data collection servers.

On May 6, Alex Knapp, writing for Forbes online, reported the Los Alamos team’s achievement: A functional first generation quantum network “smart card” using NQC (network-centric quantum communications) that “meets the challenging simultaneous latency and security requirements of electric grid control communications, which cannot be met without compromises using conventional cryptography …” See full copy here.

The Los Alamos team’s paper stated their achievement would benefit electricity-distribution smart grids, solving a key data transmission security issue between the smart meters at the home or office location and the central server responsible for data collection.

Smart grids at present have vulnerabilities and secure data transmission is a significant one.

Nonetheless, smart grid deployment initiatives that received funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the stimulus program) have been progressing, and the 63 funded initiative have shown initial positive results.

It is interesting that the Los Alamos team cited smart grids as logical beneficiaries of the quantum encryption “smart-card” solution, but not surprising. When seeking to commercialize technology requiring new kinds of connected devices that are applied to existing and new infrastructure (in the case of smart grids, optical networks), the volume of devices that are produced and deployed matters. Large production quantities more quickly amortize research and development costs, leading to a faster Return on Investment. This is of critical importance to the investors and companies that decide to commercialize and produce the new quantum encrypted devices.

One example that hints at the significant volume of new quantum-encrypted smart meters (and insertable “bump-in-the-wire”2 security retrofit devices) that will be required for the conversion from manually-read to automatically-read electricity usage at the home or office, Detroit Edison, one of the DOE’s 63 funded smart grid initiative participants serving 2.1 million customers, required 625,000 new smart meters to replace manual-read meters. Each of these new meters becomes a node in the Internet of Things, and these are just the meters. Extrapolating from the Detroit example, the U.S. conversion requirement will offer compelling production quantities for companies seeking entry into the smart grid market.

As Knapp noted in his Forbes report, as the price of the components of the new quantum smart card, such as the silicon photonic chips, become cheaper as production quantities increase, and additional secure network opportunities other than the smart grid arise, the next generation of devices with quantum encryption could include tablets and smartphones.

So you consider yourself a “subject-matter expert” and not necessarily a “hacker” or “coder?” That means a “hackathon” isn’t your thing, right? I beg to differ.

Case in point, our M2M App Challenge from 2012 when Brian Radmer, an industry solutions manager for AT&T, came in fresh off the street. He had no intention of participating in a “hackathon” yet took home one of the top prizes from the event. The key, he admitted afterwards, was the fact he got work with the deviceWISE platform from ILS Technology, which is designed with the intention of equipping “non-coders” to translate key knowlege onto the platform in order to create great things.

What was provided to Radmer was a deployment kit. The plan was to teach him, through the deployment kit and the platform, the ability to customize the platform in order to acquire data from multiple points, push that through ILS Technology’s cloud, and then customize a portal to company-specific requirements. From there he would be allowed to move that data to backoffice IT application. And he did! All rather smoothly, too.

Now it’s your turn to come in fresh and take home a prize (and even get your mug on the cover of Connected World magazine with an article written by your’s truly!) at our M2M App Challenge in Santa Clara, Calif., June 7-9.

The good news is ILS Technology is back with its cloud-based management portal. deviceWISE is an open platform giving the customer control and ownership of sensitive data. You can create apps that will positively impact energy, automotive, public safety, healthcare, and other initiatives, or even create an app that will help fix existing environmental challenges.

But if this isn’t up your alley, feel free to choose among platforms from:
-OSIsoft
-Esri
-ioBridge
-Aeris Communications

Now, take one of these platforms, add in the open sets of government data being provided to us by the Dept. of Energy (who will also be on hand to help out) and I think any “subject-matter expert” can do some killer work! And, in the process, you can consider yourself a coder–even if just for one weekend. (FYI, energy drinks and no sleep come with the territory, so make sure you come prepared to play the part!)

Don’t you just love getting your hands on new things? Me too. Which is why I am particularly excited to see AerCloud from Aeris Communications when it debuts at the M2M App Challenge in June.

You can call this istallment four in my ‘M2M App Challenge: What are you waiting for?!?!’ blog series. Seriously people, the event is 24 days away … if you haven’t thought about what you are creating, it’s time to get thinking!

Here is what we have:
-M2M App Challenge, June 7-9 in Santa Clara, California

-Open government data straight from the DOE, which will also be on hand to help you make sense of it all.

-Five different M2M platforms. I’ve already told you all about OSIsoft, and Esri, and ioBridge. (ILS Technology to come tomorrow). But today it’s all about AerCloud from Aeris Communications. And it’s brand-spanking new!

You want to talk about fresh applications? Well, how about being one of the first developers to get your hands on AerCloud from Aeris Communications? The M2M App Challenge will be one of the first opportunities for developers anywhere to use the brand-new AerCloud.

This platform is based on the ETSI M2M Architecture and is built with the specific intent of being able to tie in third-party data.

So, why ETSI M2M you may ask? To provide a framework for developing services independently of the underlying network, facilitate deployment of vertical applications, and allow for the development across various industries by exposing data and information and providing services.

It sounds great for development, doesn’t it? This seemingly makes AerCloud an ideal fit for leveraging open data from the government. According to Aeris, the value of machine data grows when you have the ability to mash it up with third-party data. AerCloud is built by developers, for developers, and presents a powerful horizontal platform with limitless potential.

Here is one scenario outlined by Aeris related to helping manage energy consumption: Pulling in current and historical demand for energy based on a specific region of the country, combine it with forecasted weather data in order to create a model where the energy supply can be more agile against the predicted demand.

I had a chance to talk with Drew Johnson from Aeris and you could just hear the excitement in his voice about wanting to get AerCloud into the hands of the development community. I admire such passion, and encourage you to come out and meet him and the Aeris team June 7-9 in Santa Clara. I gurantee they get you fired up about developing on this platform!

Have you checked out the toaster that tweets? It has a considerable amount of followers … and it comes from a company named ioBridge. It was designed to be a fun example of how everyday objects can be connected, and more importantly to highlight how an M2M platform can help you create anything your mind can envision.

Well, now it’s time to come see what you can create using the ioBridge platform at the 2013 M2M App Challenge. By now you know the deal:

-The event will be taking place June 7-9 in Santa Clara, Calif.
-We will have representatives from the DOE on hand to help you work with open government data they are providing
-You have the option of using one of (or a combination of) five M2M platforms

I’ve given you the skinny on both OSIsoft and Esri this week, so now let’s look at ioBridge:

This company, which tends to be a bit more hardware centric, will be providing a Connected World M2M Challenge Kit.

 This kit is based on the ioBridge Iota Wi-Fi module that enables instant cloud connectivity for anything.

To control the kit, all you need to do is send simple, RESTful API calls. This allows for Web and mobile app developers to jump right in and control or monitor something connected to the kit using Web standards. On the cloud side, ioBridge will provide channels of open data that developers can pipe into their kits.

Items on the kit include:
-12 General Purpose I/O Pins
-2 Relays
-Temperature Sensor
-Light Sensor
-Servo motor controller
-RGB multi-color LED
-Buzzer
-Buttons
-Switches
-Knobs
-Arduino Shield Header
-USB / Serial Interface

Being that ioBridge emphasizes the hardware aspect to developing, the company envisions the possibility of creating perhaps an actual physical ‘green button’ which lights up based on certain conditions that you wish to monitor (all based off of open data supplied by the US DOE).

Okay, so now the 2013 M2M App Challenge is only 29 days away! Again, I will ask you: Have you thought about what you will be creating? 

As promised, all week I will be highlighting what you can expect from each of the five platforms we will make available at our M2M App Challenge in Santa Clara. Yesterday I told you all about OSIsoft. Today it’s Esri. I think the two go together well … more about that later.

First off, here is the deal with the M2M App Challenge. We have access to open government data (thank you, DOE) and FIVE platforms on which you can develop.

1) Access to open government data related to such things as weather patterns, fuel prices, temperature trends, vehicle data, and more. A representative from the DOE will be on hand to present you with the data. He will also have some technical experts on call to work you through all the details.

The idea is to create something that can truly make an impact in the world … help make us more energy efficient or safer on the road, etc.

2) The winner gets a cover story in our next issue. 

In hopes of helping you narrow your scope and arrive on June 7 all ready to develop that next great app that will change the world, here is some info on Esri.

Spatial information could be the key to building something inspirational. Esri Developer Network has the resources you need for building GIS (geographic information system) applications and solutions. For example, you can use ArcGIS Runtime—which leverages Windows Presentation Foundation, Java, or a variety of mobile Software Development Kits—to embed mapping and geospatial applications into existing apps or custom build new ones.

Here are some high points to consider:

•  Esri will supply ArcGIS, a platform for designing and managing solutions through the application of geographic knowledge.

•  This platform is a bit different in that it really focuses on the location aspect of a solution.

•   Users can publish maps and data to the cloud.

•   End users can then access maps, data, and apps from a variety of devices without having to install software.

•  ArcGIS is used for a number of applications, such as spatial analysis, asset management, field workforces, and operational awareness.

•  GIS integrates hardware, software, and data for using geographically referenced information in a variety of ways.

•  GIS helps to visualize trends and patterns in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.

•  Esri says GIS technology can be integrated into any enterprise information system framework.

Or you might want to try your hand at using the platform in combination with data provided by OSIsoft to build an app to improve fuel efficiency or calculate the best route for a connected car, for example. The sky is the limit. This can be used to create any compelling custom application that integrates geospatial data and GIS capabilities.

The goal is to enable a platform for realtime GIS as well as backoffice integration between operational data management and GIS.

The 2013 M2M App Challenge is only 30 days away! Have you thought about what you will be creating yet? What are you waiting for? It’s literally one-month away.

Ok, here is the deal. We have access to open government data (thank you, DOE) and FIVE platforms on which you can develop.

1) Access to open government data related to such things as weather patterns, fuel prices, temperature trends, vehicle data, and more. A representative from the DOE will be on hand to present you with the data. He will also have some technical experts on call to work you through all the details.

The idea is to create something that can truly make an impact in the world … help make us more energy efficient or safer on the road, etc.

2) The winner gets a cover story in our next issue. Pretty darn cool, if you ask me.

Each platform promises to provide a unique way to leverage the data in order to create some meaningful apps. Over the course of the next few days I will give you a snapshot of what to expect from each of the five platforms in hopes of helping you narrow your scope–which means when you arrive on June 7 you will be all prepared to start developing that next great app that will change the world.

Today I will tell you all about OSIsoft and its PI System.

Prepare to build apps that can improve fuel efficiency or calculate the best route for a connected car at the M2M App Challenge. OSIsoft will be bringing data for automobiles through the OpenXC protocol and will supply a list of parameters. With this you will be able to take advantage of data related to field consumption rates, GPS coordinates, hard brakes, and more. As an added bonus, Esri (another App Challenge platform participant), which manages geographic information, will also be on hand, and both platforms can be leveraged simultaneously.

Jon Peterson of OSIsoft provides one example: Tracking cellphone drops. “Imagine if you had an application on your phone that was basically telling where you were and how fast you were going and where the drop out were and, of course, the time of day and things like that. You could crowdsource this whole thing and find all the holes pretty quick. Maybe a phone company would be interested in that.”

OSIsoft, in partnership with Lit San Leandro, is also bringing another interesting value proposition to this M2M App Challenge: infinite bandwidth. Want to integrate data from data.gov? You won’t be restricted by the bandwidth of a typical hotel connection at this M2M App Challenge. Optical fiber from Lit San Leandro will be run to the hotel, providing infinite bandwidth.

I’ve been particularly interested in the discussion these days about the market for health and fitness trackers and whether or not people are actually using these devices to their advantage. Last week I cited a report from the American Heart Assn., that predicts 8 million people will suffer from heart failure by 2030. To me, I think it speaks volumes to how these organizations perceive the long-term impact of personal health trackers in the prevention of heart diseases.

A few people have chimed in on this subject since that time with some interesting perspective of their own. In particular, Pam Sefrino from INEX ADVISORS writes an in-depth piece about the need to define value proposition in this area (I particulalry like some of the examples she cites). She adds great commentary saying, “Our guess is that most of these quantified self-focused companies haven’t spent enough time talking, and listening to, their target markets and stakeholders. And if they have, they just may not be asking the right questions or going deep enough to get the real answers.”

I think we are on to something here with the argument around providing a good value proposition. The topic came up in a LinkedIn forum, of which I am a part called Digital Health (I highly recommend this group for anyone looking to stay in the know about digital healthcare, by the way). The lead-in to the discussion was around a report that predicts the mHealth sensor market will grow 70% annually. Again, I tend to question such a forecast if the consumers aren’t quite up to speed on how to use the data.

Low and behold, one of the first comments was related to how patients are actually using the data. One response I found interesting came from a radiologist who suggested doctors need to be part of the process in helping patients understand the data. However, as he says, while most doctors would like to discuss wellness plans related to data with their patients, they simply have less time to spend individually with patients. So even if we have this data we lack the expertise to help make use of it.

This goes back to my original argument that says we may have access to the data, but are left with little guidance on how to use it. But maybe we should be putting some leaders in place in the market that take charge and help get consumers involved.  

Now tie in Sefrino’s argument that value propositions around connected health devices needs to “run deep” and you have a story.

Can device makers work with customers to help them understand the data? This is where heavyweights like Nike or Fitbit come in, because they have the power to move markets, in my opinion. I would love to see these companies use their strong influence and brand awareness with the consumer world to help lead the market in this direction.

Perhaps smaller firms that are trying to stand out from the pack can make such a move too, but they might find it to be a bit more difficult a path.

Here is the overriding point: Data is great, but knowing what the data is telling us is even greater. The potential is there, and when it comes to our health I love the idea of taking matters into our own hands for the purposes of being proactive. We are in search of leaders.

There are seven key questions about data deployment related to M2M solutions that MUST be addressed.

They are as important as any ROI, TCO (total cost of ownership) or emerging, enlightened EIM (economic impact model). They might be more important than your positions on OS support, open APIs, or integration of emerging or existing technical standards, but they will not be more important than your position on security, However they are, in a big way, closely related.

The fact that these questions are not currently being answered completely, clearly, concisely, publicly is the elephant in the room. For all of us.

That they are often pushed down, out, or aside in too many business plans will go down as a key reason why a few of the world’s largest tech companies will falter; why too many entrepreneurs will fail; and why so many people continue to miss the point about these markets.

M2M is about people, not machines.  And people are the prime actors in the creation of M2M markets. As such, they bring with them the primary concern that INEX calls ‘Standards of Conduct’ – policy development – as much as ‘Standards of Construct’ – technical standards. 

We offer these seven questions as a way for more developers and deployers to start to frame their policy development strategies, models and tactics.�
1. Who owns what data?
2. Who has access rights?
3. How are access rights awarded, secured, managed?
4. What are the access rights to PED (process, exploit, disseminate) for internal purposes?
5. What are the access rights to PED for external re-marketing purposes?
6. What are minimum disclosure rules?
7. How will disputes be remediated?

These questions offer a strong start for researchers, developers, investors, deployers, and operators.

Take a look at just about any market segment that is meeting or exceeding expectations, and you will find answers to these questions readily available to and accessible by stakeholders in the deploying commercial ecosystem.

Where you find markets smaller and less profitable, frustrating to participants, you will not find clear answers to these questions.

Now, to be clear, the seven are not a panacea. In order to build M2M markets, we need that proverbial three-legged stool. 

We still need ROI, TCO, EIM, and all that. We still need clear positions on architecture and standards. Both are necessary, but, insufficient. 

That stool needs three legs. 

We really need standards of conduct as they relate to device data deployment. 

Looks like the American Heart Assn., isn’t exactly buying into the idea that people are tracking their health data with connected devices. Predictions like the one this week that says 8 million people will suffer from heart failure by 2030 clearly demonstrate the association thinks there is a problem with the population proactively caring for their hearts.

It falls in line with what I was saying earlier that people aren’t tracking. Despite all the grandiose ideas presented to us in press releases about the wonders of tracking devices, the fact remains they have not made as big an impact as the market has led us all to believe. Argue to the contrary if you’d like, but I would think that an organization like the American Heart Assn., would have some good insight into whether or not the connected monitors for healthcare are making a difference.  

It is saying by 2030 we could all be paying $244 a year to care for heart failure patients with the number of people with heart failure climbing from 5 million in 2012 to 8 million. Doing the math, that equates to treatment costs more than doubling from $31 billion in 2012 to $70 billion in 2030.

So how do we stop this all from coming to fruition? Well, first off we all need to be a bit more proactive in how we take care of our hearts. Preventing and treating the underlying conditions is step one. Short of paying our doctors a weekly visit, we could all invest in connected devices that track our heart rates, blood pressure, and other vital signs.

But I still think the market is too crowded for consumers to make a wise choice. Likewise, I don’t think the market has presented a clear enough message about why they need to be tracking. It’s a shame when you look at a number as big as 8 million and know that you can make a significant impact to the positive simply by communicating a better message.

Rather than coming out with more “innovative” devices, let’s try to develop a message to the market about why this is all so necessary in general. The company that does that makes the innovative move.