Telit Communications PLC, a global provider of wireless machine to machine (M2M) technology and value-added services, including connectivity cloud and PaaS Application Enablement Services, is leveraging on the vast untapped potential in India, especially in the field of automotive telematics. As the leading m2m adopting vertical, Transportation is reshaping itself with innovation, improvements and additional efficiencies brought about by connected vehicles, smarter fleets, rider experience-focused public transport and others. A greener, safer and friendlier world on the roads and in the vehicle will continue emerging from a whole new wave of solutions offered by the London-based firm.
The company is a leading wireless m2m module maker and works in close association with device makers and application developers like Sway Techno Solutions, Magneti Marelli, Falcom, Danlaw, Pointer, etc. Currently, the telematics division is contributing around 30 per cent of its overall business in India and is expected to account for 40-45 per cent by 2017. Initially, it was garnering orders solely from the aftermarket and is now seeing growth from both OEMs too.
In an exclusive interaction with MOTORINDIA, Mr. Ashish Gulati, Country Manager, Telit Wireless Solutions, said: “For the automotive Industry, we offer Telematics Solutions to both PV and CV segments such as in-vehicle navigation system, vehicle tracking system. In CVs, vehicle tracking systems have been installed for trucks and buses for Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) and logistics providers. The telematics box is also available in the aftermarket. We are also working with the government to understand their challenges and roadmaps in terms of telematics adoption while talks are also going on with CV players on this.”
It is to be mentioned that the transportation segment of Telit includes all m2m devices designed and integrated into a telematics platform of some sort like cars, trucks and trailers, aircrafts, trains, ships and containers. All telematics devices for example for navigation, stolen vehicle recovery, infotainment systems, electronic toll systems and vehicle diagnostics are part of the transportation segment. It also includes transport systems which provide passenger information, report availability of parking spaces or areas of congestion in a city, tolls, parking and other charging systems particularly in cities. Globally, it has been a Tier-II supplier to a number of global OEMs like Volvo, GM, Scania, MAN, Audi, etc.
Talking about its journey in India so far, Mr. Gulati observed: “When we started, we realised that the telematics market was limited to aftermarket only. There were telematics device makers which were making small volumes of devices every month and supplying to one or the other FMCs or logistics companies or systems integrators. There was not much of an interest being generated from logistics companies. But in the last two years, what we have experienced is that OEMs are showing a lot of interest in telematics and would like to integrate the service to its existing fleet. Moreover, many players who lease out their commercial vehicles look for advanced telematics solutions for better monitoring and remote diagnostics.”
When quizzed about the USPs of its solutions vis-à-vis its peers, Mr. Gulati affirmed, “Being a global provider of machine-to-machine (M2M) interface solutions, Automotive is one of Telit’s core segments and of particular importance to us. We not only develop modules specific for this industry but ensure the highest quality standards are observed from R&D to manufacturing and logistics, completely meeting automotive requirements. To guarantee total adherence to these quality standards we have a dedicated team spanning R&D, sales and support whose job is to ascertain and assist its clients in navigating the challenges they face integrating M2M into cars, trucks, buses, and other automotive platforms.”
Meanwhile, Telit’s recent acquisition of NXP Semiconductor’s Automotive Telematics On-board unit Platform (ATOP) business and the resulting creation of a dedicated Automotive Business Unit, Telit Automotive Solutions, together brings a talented team of experts cent per cent committed to serving the unique needs of OEM automotive customers.
“Going forward, we will be adding another product solution called On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) in India. Modern OBD implementations use a standardized digital communications port to provide real-time data in addition to a standardized series of diagnostic trouble codes, or DTCs, which allow one to rapidly identify and remedy malfunctions within the vehicle.With the acquisition of ATOP, we have already strengthened our business in this domain and look forward to bring it into India,” stated Mr. Gulati.
It is to be mentioned here that Telit is a company that originated in Italy and is now headquartered in London. It is running its operations worldwide and also offers value-added services like connectivity; SIM Cloud-based device management, etc. The AIM-listed firm operates eight R&D centers around the globe that are located in Trieste and Sardinia (both Italy), Caen (France)/Leuven (Belgium), Seoul (South Korea), Tel Aviv (Israel), Boca Raton (Florida), Chicago and Foothill Ranch (California). The R&D facility in Trieste is the company’s main engineering, design & development facility, and headquarters for the global R&D function. The company has a wide network of sales offices located in Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, France, India, Israel, Italy, Korea, Russia, Spain, the Republic of South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and the US.
“Globally, we had clocked $243 million during CY2013 and initial estimations are to the tune of $294 million for CY2014. We started our Indian operations in 2011 and have shipped close 300,000 units to the Indian market last year. This year we are looking to ship 400,000 modules. We are looking at a CAGR of 30-35 per cent in the coming years. With lifestyles everywhere so heavily dependent on transportation, this robust and dynamic sector finds itself embracing some of its most significant changes leveraging government initiatives, and people’s constant search for a better quality of life. So we step in by helping our clients in augmenting functionality and value to its automotive, tracking and transport solutions,” signed off Mr. Gulati.