IBM and Vodafone combine mobile communications and cloud computing for the remote management of smart home appliances-- using Machine-to-Machine (M2) technology to connect appliances to the internet.
First seen at IFA 2012, the system combines Vodafone's Global M2M platform with the IBM SmartCloud platform to enable connected "smart" appliances to feed useful data to either service provider or vendor.
It also allows customers to control appliances through smartphones, with remote activities including the viewing of utility consumptions, security control, heating and lighting systems and the activation of appliances.
The IBM SmartCloud provides vendors with a scaleable appliance management cloud-based platform, as well as the means to quickly introduce new consumer services.
Vodafone's Global M2M platform is a means of providing wireless connectivity to home gateways.