Vodafone Idea launches IoT Smart Central for the enterprise

Vodafone Idea's enterprise arm, Vi Business, launched Vi Business IoT Smart Central on Monday. This platform is a fully integrated, self-care IoT connectivity and device management system that is future-ready. It allows enterprises to remotely control, monitor, and manage IoT assets in real-time.
 
Vi Business IoT Smart Central offers a comprehensive view of all IoT assets and enables remote management and control of the SIM lifecycle for projects in various industries, including automobiles, banking, and utilities. It also provides real-time diagnosis and remote troubleshooting for IoT devices, with proactive alerts to prevent critical issues from being overlooked.
 
One of the key features of Vi Business IoT Smart Central is its dynamic billing model and tailored rate plans based on usage patterns, utilizing advanced analytics.
 
Amit Satpathy, EVP and Head IoT Business at Vodafone Idea, stated that with the growing adoption of IoT, the next decade will see the development of a massive IoT ecosystem with billions of connected devices. This platform will empower enterprises to compete in a smart and connected world by centrally managing and monitoring connectivity options for their IoT devices.
 
Vi Business IoT Smart Central also includes predictive maintenance features to reduce operational downtime and improve tech efficiencies. Users can raise and track queries, requests, and complaints through the portal's self-service capabilities, with faster resolution within 48 hours.
 
Vi Business currently serves over 4,000 IoT customers in areas such as vehicle tracking systems, connected cars, POS, and advanced metering infrastructure. The platform has already been tested and adopted by leading enterprises across industries for various use cases. The telco is also expanding its customer base and partnerships across the country, aiming to help customers reduce unplanned downtime and improve operational efficiency.
 
In 2021, both Vi and Airtel announced business-oriented IoT solutions. In July 2023, Bharti Airtel claimed to be the first telco in India to connect over 20 million devices through its IoT solutions.
 
In November 2023, Vi Business partnered with IT consultancy major Accenture to commercialise its shared operations and accelerate growth. Accenture will invest approximately 150 million euros ($160 million) for a minority stake in the partnership. The partnership will leverage Vodafone's shared services unit, Vodafone Intelligent Solutions (VOIS), to create a scaled, commercially driven, and more efficient organisation.