Dell unveils IoT unit
New division designed to cut time, cost and risks of building IoT applications
Dell Services has partnered with ThingWorx, an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, to launch a new division that aims to help its customers realise the value of IoT technology.
The new unit aims to offer a mix of business and technology know-how to assist customers in reducing the time, cost and risks faced when building IoT applications.
As part of the agreement with ThingWorx, Dell's Digital Business Services has joined the IoT company's System Integrator Programme, which allows it to offer digital capabilities across cloud, mobility, social media, big data and digital transformation consulting.
Andy Rhodes, executive director of IoT solutions at Dell, said: "Current IoT solutions offer lengthy implementations, overly ambitious scoping and complex proprietary designs that raise risks and costs.
"We are helping customers build out their solutions pragmatically with a broad portfolio of IoT-enabling offerings including security, manageability, services, analytics, infrastructure and end-points."
Dell points out that as a business enters the IoT landscape, it faces either an operational (OT) or information (IT) technology approach.
To help bring these two angles closer together, Dell has also joined forces with OT organisations such as KMC Controls, which can develop technology that works with both OT and IT.
Richard Newberry, chief executive of KMC Controls, said: "Dell's IoT gateways allow KMC to connect building automation systems to the IoT with a truly open and secure platform that scales very well from small buildings to large buildings to distributed properties within a portfolio."
The gateways – wireless connected devices that collect, help secure and process sensor data at the edge of network – are priced at about £315 and are currently only available in the US and Canada.
Russ Fadel, president and general manager of ThingWorx, concluded: "We are happy to welcome Dell into the ThingWorx Systems Integrator Programme. The digital services solutions offered by Dell on a global basis will help ThingWorx customers accelerate the real, tangible benefits of implementing IoT-based solutions."