Cox Communications today announced its entry into the IoT connected asset service industry with a new business unit, Cox2M. Its initial client is auto-auctioneer Manheim, which is owned by the privately held Atlanta cable operator’s sibling division, Cox Automotive.
Manheim is using Cox2M’s connected asset services to deliver real-time tracking of vehicles across auction lots. The Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) solution was piloted last year and will now be implemented across the U.S. and Canada to connect more than 500,000 vehicles. Other Cox Automotive brands are also considering the platform for additional applications.
Cox2M provides sensors that collect data from a variety of connected assets and enable organizations to track, monitor and manage these mobile and fixed assets at a lower cost. The platform bundles connectivity, hardware and software into one package, aiming to eliminate the need for organizations to manage multiple vendor relationships. Cox2M is an open solution that integrates into an organization’s existing systems and processes. The solution includes advanced analytics and machine learning capabilities to provide real-time customer insights that inform business and operational decisions.
Cox said its custom asset management solutions can be made to fit industries including transportation and fleet management, cities and campuses, energy companies and utilities, agriculture, retail and real estate.
Cable companies including Cox and Comcast are building on the backs of their backhaul infrastructure and public Wi-Fi deployments to develop of low-power, long-range network technologies including LoRa. This is putting them in direct competition with wireless carriers rushing to deploy the latest LTE technologies.
“Cox connects millions of people and businesses today, and we’re constantly thinking about how to deliver powerful new outcomes through that experience,” said Sujata Gosalia, executive VP and chief strategy officer, Cox Communications, in a statement. “With Cox2M, we will play an even more significant role in supporting the smart businesses and smart cities of the future.”
ABI projects there will be 300 million M2M connections in the U.S. by 2020, with the automotive market being one of the initial adopters.
“Simply put, Cox2M will improve how Manheim, and potentially other Cox Automotive brands, do business,” said Sandy Schwartz, president of Cox Automotive. “Connected devices are transforming entire sectors, including the automotive industry, and Cox2M gives us access to real-time data that lets us work smarter and create a better customer experience.”
Cox Communications and Cox Automotive are both owned by Cox Enterprises.