AT&T, Microsoft Unleash New IoT Service

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AT&T is rolling out a new service in partnership with Microsoft that will help businesses monitor and manage their Internet of Things (IoT) assets.

AT&T’s Chris Penrose

The AT&T Asset Management – Operations Center runs on Microsoft Azure and uses Azure’s Cosmos database and Microsoft’s Power BI analytics to manage IoT devices and data.

The companies say the network platform will allow an application to support different types of devices, network and cloud environments and communication protocols. AT&T says customers will gain more flexibility as a result.

“AT&T is committed to giving our enterprise customers the tools, platforms and the connectivity they need to more securely manage their IoT assets wherever they’re deployed,” said Chris Penrose, AT&T’s president of IoT Solutions. “AT&T and Microsoft have a long-standing relationship, and we’re pleased to once again team with them through the new AT&T Asset Management – Operations Center to deliver a flexible solution to help address our customers’ current and future IoT needs.”

The companies will work together to bring the offering to market. Beta customers will be able to get their hands on the operations center later in the year.

Michael Angiulo, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of ISV and SI, says working with AT&T will give customers new advantages.

“We’re excited to collaborate with AT&T to give our joint enterprise customers more control of their deployed IoT assets by utilizing Azure cloud services,” Angiulo said. “Together, our combined technologies can help customers quickly deploy innovative solutions that can improve their day-to-day operations.”

AT&T also announced that it has expanded its LTE-M network, which supports IoT devices. The company said it has completed pilots of the technology in Tijuana and Puebla, Mexico. AT&T completed its U.S. LTE-M network in May.

“The success of these pilots validates we’re on schedule to expand our North American footprint this year,” said Carlos Sánchez, chief technology officer for AT&T in Mexico. “The possibilities for business customers on both sides of the border are endless.”

A recent 451 Research survey has insights on how to help customers with their large amounts of IoT data.