Oracle Communications is finding new adopters for its billing, revenue and customer relationship management systems in the machine-to-machine (M2M) space.
While most discussions regarding M2M focus on the connectivity side, the software firm claims it is enabling telematics firm Hughes Telematics (HTI) to enter new territory in the connected-car space – an area that is becoming increasingly hot as major automobile makers including BMW, Ford and Audi look to incorporate wireless tech into their vehicles.
In a bid to cash in on that heightened awareness, HTI turned to Oracle Communications for solutions that enable it to speed up deployment of new in-car services for millions of customers. The US-headquartered firm viewed Oracle’s Billing and Revenue Management (BRM) and Unified CRM and BRM (UCB) Solution - which recently received Frameworx Solution Certification from the TM Forum - as critical to offering a differentiated customer experience.
The Oracle products enabled HTI to extend its existing M2M services from the business-to-business (B2B) space into the business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) space by providing services directly to end-users that are marketed through the car manufacturer’s brand, insurance agents and other channels.
A smartphone first
HTI is already reaping the benefits of deploying Oracle’s solutions, launching branded services for Mercedes Benz (Mbrace), NetworkFleet, a fleet management business covering 100,000 vehicles, and InDrive, an aftermarket product for auto clubs.
The firm claims to be the first to launch a commercial smartphone application handling functions such as door locking and unlocking, locating your car and dealers, and roadside assistance. That app launched in November 2009, and a subsequent version launched in August 2010, added the ability to tag location information onto roadside assistance calls and a mobile concierge service.
Future versions of the smartphone app will integrate social networking elements, including the ability to locate friends and receive directions to drive to them.