Machine-to-Machine(M2M) Versus Internet of Things(IoT)

3 min readMar 21, 2023

The misconception that M2M and IoT is the same has been a continuing subject of discourse.
Technology advancements and innovation are occurring fast. Notable of them is M2M which is the predecessor of IoT.

To specify a solution for meeting your anticipated needs using M2M and or IoT, you have to understand the differences between these technologies.

M2M(Machine to Machine):

M2M refers to two or more machines that communicate with each other and carry out certain functions without human intervention.

Some applications which leverage M2M technology to provide services:

*Customer billing like smart meters
*Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
*Remote monitoring
*Supply Chain Management (SCM)
*Harvesting energy like oil and gas
*Traffic control
*Telemedicine
*Real-Time Fleet management

IoT(Internet of Things):

IoT refers is an ecosystem of connected devices via the Internet where the devices have the ability to collect and transfer data over a network automatically without human intervention.
IoT helps objects to interact with internal and/or the external environment which in turn controls the decision making.

Some applications and services of IoT Technology are:

Smart Homes
Smart Cities
Connected cars
Logistics Operations
Healthcare
Smart Water Management
Retail

M2M is suitable for people who want to share a limited amount of data between machines. Company fleet management, alarms, water meters, agricultural sensors, smart buildings, smart lighting and environmental sensors can become an integral part of an M2M network.

On the other hand, IoT comprises a four stage process, starting from data collection to data processing. After collecting data from the attached sensors, IoT stores data in a corporate data centre or cloud. Then the data is processed and analysed before initiating predefined actions.

Conclusion:

M2M set the foundations of machine connectivity on which IoT improved on. IoT is the bigger vision on connectivity that is fuelled by the advancements of M2M applications.
M2M revolutionises business operations by enabling them to monitor and manage their machines or pieces of equipment remotely. M2M depends on point-to-point communications with the use of hardware components embedded in the machine.

IoT relies on standards-based IP networks to interface device data to a cloud or middleware platform. IoT is a mass market technology that applies to both consumers and enterprises. Consumer IoT connects people to their devices and similarly, allows for remote control over those devices. Enterprise IoT, on the other hand, takes it further by facilitating asset tracking and management.

So, M2M and IoT primarily vary in terms of how they achieve connectivity, what they aim to connect, how scalable they are, and how data is utilised for future use.

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