Journey Through Time: A 20-Years of Machine 2 Machine Retrospective. Chapter #1: My Star Is Born.

In my previous article, I delved into the intricacies of 'Making Decisions.' Now, I find myself pondering the subject of my next piece. Should it be about the complex world of engineering, the age-old philosophical disputes, the ever-evolving landscape of business, or perhaps the nuances of sales and marketing? After reflecting on my two-decade-long journey in the business world, I'm inclined to pen my 'Memories'. And so, here I am, presenting my insights on M2M and its transformative evolution over the past 20 years.

While completing my studies at the Wroc?aw University of Science and Technology , my first job application was for an engineering position at 西门子 in February 2003. Surprisingly, missing out on that job turned out to be a blessing in disguise, even though it stirred up a whirlwind of emotions ??and self-doubt. As many who know me might chuckle at the idea of me as an engineer??, fate had different plans. By August 2003, a company near Wroclaw was seeking a professional with expertise in wireless technology. Admittedly, I was unfamiliar with the role, but I took the leap and was appointed as the Wireless Field Application Engineer at Microdis Electronics . As it transpired, I was designated and appointed as the 'semi-engineer' in charge of integrating wireless technology, specifically the adaptation of M2M modules, for companies across the entirety of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia included.

Two decades ago?, the concept of M2M was scarcely discussed, especially within academic circles at universities in Poland. So, what exactly was M2M, and what was the landscape of the European market during that era? In 2003, as the Internet was still in its nascent stages, learning about M2M proved to be a considerable challenge due to the scarcity of articles and publications on the subject. However, my understanding was profoundly enriched upon discovering the publication from The University of Texas at Austin "M2M: The Wireless Revolution - A Technology Forecast" authored by Jim "Brodie" Brazell Laurel Donoho John Dexheimer Robert Hanneman, George Langdon, this comprehensive work unraveled the intricacies of M2M to me.

Quoting these authors:

"M2M is an acronym for the term "Machine-to-Machine" and the birth of a 4th generation of computing. It is a category of information and communication technology that combines communications, computer, and power technologies to enable remote human and machine interaction with physical, chemical, and biological systems and processes."

While the concept of M2M might have seemed like something out of a futuristic tale, industry giants like 思科 or IBM were already envisioning a promising future for it. Harbor Research forecast was that by the end of 2003, 9.5 Million and by the end of 20120 1.5 billion M2M devices will be Internet-connected worldwide!

In my pursuit of knowledge acquiring process, I undertook specialized training in Thalwil, visiting u-blox for an intensive course on ???positioning??? technology. It's worth noting that in 2003, this Swiss company was just starting its journey to what would become a significant success. Reflecting on it now, it was a truly remarkable experience. What stands out, even more, is that as a vibrant "yellow"-clad representative from a mid-sized CEE electronic components distributor, I was personally greeted by the company's CEO, Thomas Seiler - CEO and Board Member . After a week of rigorous training, I emerged as an expert in u-blox 's GPS offerings.

"Knowledge is both my fortress and my blade???, allowing me to face any challenge or "dark side of a competition force'??." by Artoix Sparrow ??

At that time, the M2M vendor landscape looked vastly different from today. To the best of my recollection, no leading brand from the M2M market of that era has endured with the same logo. u-blox was poised to revolutionize the positioning modules market, while Sony Ericsson was heralded for its top-tier GSM modules. This was shared with me during a specialized training session on Sony Ericsson 's M2M offerings, led by Frank Heineck , the GM of CEP AG. Subsequent market experiences and benchmarks I gathered in the field only reinforced the validity of Frank Heineck's insights

Armed with comprehensive training in GPS and GSM technology and products, I ventured to Russia just two months later, still a novice in the business world. I collaborated with MicroEM Technologies (МикроЭМ Технологии), a Russian affiliate of Microdis Electronics. Under the guidance of Robert Panufnik and Sergey Nesterov , my journey ??as a Wireless and M2M enthusiast truly began.

If you're curious about the intricacies of my M2M/IoT journey, the dynamics of vendors and customers in Eastern Europe, specific projects, and other day-to-day experiences, stay tuned. More chapters are on the horizon!

To everyone who took the time to read up to this point: I truly appreciate your feedback (even if it's critical??), insights and suggestions.