Vodafone Qatar has launched its Global Machine to Machine (M2M) platform as the connectivity solution that enables a wider concept of Internet of Things (IoT).
With the launch, Vodafone Qatar’s capabilities now include a scalable global M2M platform with interactive portal for end users; global SIM cards powered by the world’s largest network; highly secure solutions; more than 1300 M2M experts; broad portfolio of M2M terminals, application and service enablement development and testing and deployment: all from a single supplier with a single contract.
Enterprises in Qatar will now have access to the latest M2M platform and IoT solutions for fleet management and asset tracking with many other applications to follow over the next few months.  
“Only Vodafone can provide a global M2M SIM card, enabling, IoT adopters to experience business optimisation through cost saving,” Vodafone Qatar said.
Vodafone has more than 20 years of M2M experience and a global M2M platform available in 40 markets, leveraging its global footprint and partner networks, allowing customers to roam on the best available network.
“We’re delighted to bring enterprise customers in Vodafone Qatar’s leading global experience in M2M connectivity and IoT solutions that will optimise business operations. The rollout of IoT services over our superfast network is an important part of our strategic direction to bring all that’s innovative to Qatar and in turn help realise the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Vodafone Qatar’s CEO, Ian Gray.
Creating smart cities that will improve the quality of life for all people in Qatar has been identified as an important focus area by Qatar’s various authorities. The transportation sector especially is a priority area as it attempts to deal with its growing traffic problems in addition to the importance that Qatar’s emerging smart cities remain safe cities. Smart solutions will be key to bringing about the required benefits to Qatar and Vodafone’s M2M fleet management; asset tracking and video surveillance solutions will help Qatar’s businesses and authorities achieve this, the company said.
Vodafone’s IoT head (sales for southern Europe and the Middle East) Tony Guerion said, “Today the world is more connected than ever; now technology is not just connecting people but machines and devices together on a global scale, forever changing the way we do business. At Vodafone, IoT is driving this revolution helping businesses to innovate and in turn deliver better operational agility and better customer engagement.”
As an example, thanks to Vodafone´s IoT connectivity, eGate manages to improve the customer’s satisfaction with its web platform POPS, which is an end-to-end, web-based pre-order and pre-select solution.
POPS enables airlines to offer their passengers the ability to pre-select food or beverage items or pre-order retail or entertainment options prior or during their flight. Vodafone’s global M2M SIM card with connectivity worldwide ensures the needs of these air flight businesses. The connectivity inside the planes allows the company to make sure this order workflow works and all the operators involve in the chain manage the most updated information. eGate trust Vodafone  to ensure the order arrives at the correct plane seat.
Vodafone research shows that businesses are well aware of the potential that IoT holds for their businesses, it said. More than a quarter of all businesses worldwide are now using M2M technologies to enhance productivity,  59% of companies report a significant return on investment from M2M and 83% see M2M as a source of competitive advantage.