Based on its recent research on the machine-to-machine (M2M) in retail and finance market, Frost & Sullivan presents XLink Communications with the 2014 South African Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Leadership for its VersaLink platform. This is just one solution in a line of 3G routers offered by XLink for primary or backup communications in the point of sale (POS) electronic funds transfer (EFT) space.
With the larger retailers increasingly adopting integrated EFT connectivity solutions, VersaLink has grown in stature. It gives customers who use asymmetric digital subscriber (ADSL) lines as their primary connectivity network a seamless handover between fixed networks to the 3G network. This ensures high-uptime, a crucial advantage for retail customers.
VersaLink runs on the Virtual Redundant Reroute Protocol (VRRP) which sets it apart from most other competing products in the market. Based on this protocol, XLink creates a virtual IP address for entire sets of customer till points, to which all transactions are directed, regardless of the communication channel – ADSL or global system for mobile communication (GSM).
In 2007, Vodacom’s acquisition of stakes in XLink gave the latter access to the operator’s funds, as well as expertise in the European M2M market. XLink subsequently implemented the Global Data Service Platform (GDSP) developed by Vodafone, Vodacom’s parent company. This platform enables enterprises to control and manage their M2M devices across different countries.
The GDSP platform allows a Vodafone SIM to roam on networks in which it has a presence directly or through subsidiaries. It also / roams on the networks of mobile operators with which it has partnerships. As a result, if the network fails, the SIM can switch to a partnering network through roaming. This is an especially important feature for M2M solutions that do not use dual SIM technologies.
“It was this feature of seamless connectivity that encouraged XLink to adopt the platform, as South African banks were losing the on-site redundancy of their mobile terminal by migrating from dual to single SIM technologies,” says Frost & Sullivan Information & Communication Technologies Research Analyst Lehlohonolo Mokenela. “It is expected that Vodafone SIMs in M2M devices will be able to roam on Cell C by 2014 and on MTN’s by 2015.”
XLink has made the most of the expertise offered by partners such as Vodafone, WRP Consulting Engineers, KT Utility Forensics, Baobab Technologies and Device Insights to not only become a key provider of M2M solutions in the retail and financial sectors, but also expand its solutions beyond its traditional sector-focus.
The strength of these key strategic partnerships, coupled with a highly adaptable portal that offers device tracking and monitoring, has enabled the company to expand the application of its M2M solution.
“Another outstanding feature of XLink’s system is the MIS solution, which was designed to monitor the signal strength in the network, connecting the remote device, the date and time of a transaction as well as the success or failure of the transaction,” noted Mokenela. “Using a web portal to monitor the status of devices and quality of the connection to the devices allows the XLink technical support staff to remotely diagnose technical problems.”
By leveraging the MIS portal, the support staff can make intelligent decisions, minimising the need for on-site support visits while simultaneously reducing the lead time for problem resolution. This has seen the company deliver improved support services, achieving a first-line problem-solve ratio of nearly 85%.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated uniqueness in developing and leveraging new technologies, which significantly impacts both the functionality and the customer value of the new products and applications. The award lauds the high R&D spend towards innovation, its relevance to the industry and the positive impact on brand perception.
Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development.
Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.