Macrocomm

DRIVEN by Data

Through its specialised Fleet Analytics division, Macrocomm is empowering fleet operators with invaluable insight into their daily transportation operations

Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Sam Love D ata, as is widely accepted, has become the world’s most abundant and arguably valuable commodity.

Today, we talk about data volumes in quantities most have never heard of, with one zettabyte equating to around a trillion gigabytes, and the numbers continuously growing.

At the end of 2018, the International Data Corporation (IDC) predicted some 33 zettabytes of data made up what is now commonly called the world’s ‘datasphere’, a body of information which IDC believes will expand to 175 zettabytes by as early as 2025. This translates into an average annual rise of more than 61 percent.

Interestingly, by 2025 some 90 zettabytes of data will be created on IoT devices, while nearly a third of all data generated will be consumed in real time.

Such is its universal usefulness, data is commonly dubbed the new oil.

In a transportation context, it has the power to transform the fortunes of enterprises reliant on fleets of vehicles moving on roads daily. So much so, the gathering, analysing and presenting of such data – known as fleet analytics – is now recognised as a profession in its own right.

MACROCOMM – THE BASICS

Established in 2005, Macrocomm offers turnkey digital solutions which are deployed by a team of experts across South Africa and the wider continent, operating through partnerships in key African countries.

The company is ideally placed to offer solutions for smart cities, smart industry and energy management systems, among other use cases, and also stands as an accredited reseller of mobile, data, networking and infrastructure related products, either as standalone offerings or as part of their IoT portfolio. Macrocomm is a proud Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment entity. They pride themselves on job creation and upskilling government employees through training and skills transfer programmes. The firm also adheres to strict health and safety standards, as reflected by their NOSA accreditation.

“There are many challenges facing South African businesses in a dynamic environment,therefore, I believe that technology is an enabler to address these challenges and best access opportunities to build the country.”

Enter South Africa’s Macrocomm. A Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment entity established in 2005, the firm helps organisations address critical technological challenges through a comprehensive portfolio of products and services.

Their mission is to become a leader in smart solutions across Southern Africa, developing and deploying turnkey solutions that automate communications between central systems and remote devices.

The organisation is led by CEO, Sivi Moodley, an active entrepreneur for over three decades. Sivi Moodley sees smart technology as a critical enabler in a dynamic albeit challenging South African business environment.

“I’ve led and managed medium to large businesses predominantly in the mobile networks, retail, property, IT and Internet of Things (IoT) arenas,” he says.

“My goal has been to guide Macrocomm in becoming a leading supplier of smart solutions to large corporates in our country, and given my extensive international travels, I strategically lead the Macrocomm team in line with international best practices.”

In order to help achieve their mission, the company launched

Macrocomm Fleet Analytics (MFA), a division dedicated to leveraging their expertise in AI, IoT and Industry 4.0 space in order to serve clients operating fleets of vehicles. “There are many challenges facing South African businesses in a dynamic environment,” Moodley adds. “Therefore, I believe that technology is an enabler to address these challenges and best access opportunities to build the country.”

“We believe that technology is a means to drive economic growth in

SqwidNet

Changing lives… SqwidNet launched in November 2016 as the licensed Sigfox operator in South Africa. Its internet of things network offers low cost access to IoT solutions and operators in South Africa, creating opportunities for businesses small and large to take innovative strides that ultimately change lives.

SqwidNet is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dark Fibre Africa, the premier open-access fibre connectivity provider.

Its network provides nationwide coverage for the internet of things, allowing millions of sensors and devices to send small packets of data for analysis, immediate action and record keeping. It covers over 90 percent of the population (50.4 million people), and 90 percent of South Africa’s national road network.

This, alongside a growing partner network, enables the firm to provide strategic direction and advice on IoT solutions that solve business challenges.

Why SqwidNet?

• Long range – Sigfox technology enables devices to communicate with the SqwidNet network from tens of kilometres away. • Low cost – it is up to 10 times cheaper to operate Sigfox-enabled devices on the SqwidNet network than to use cellular technology. • Low power – the battery in a Sigfoxenabled device could potentially last for 10 years or longer, making it up to 300 times more energy efficient than a regular cellular device. • Reliable and secure – because the SqwidNet network is based on Sigfox, it has built-in reliability and security features.

Bringing a global ecosystem together to solve African problems.

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CONNECTED DEVICES

How important are suppliers to your success, and what do you look for when choosing a partner company to work with?

Sivi Moodley: “We do not believe in looking at this through the lens of suppliers. Rather, we prefer to create partner companies where organisations are able to create environments that, to use one of my personal quotes, ‘create win win win environments’ – where it is a win for us, a win for our supplier or partner and ultimately a win for our customers and consumers.” “Any relationship must be able to translate into value across all parts. If it does not translate into value, it is not a long-term relationship. It becomes a short-term relationship out of expedience. We believe in building long-term, sustainable relationships where all parties in the value chain always benefit and grow.”

South Africa, and that is one of the main reasons I originally entered the technology space.”

Macrocomm Fleet Analytics is the latest vehicle through which Moodley and the company are looking to bring South African organisations into the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) era. Many transportation-focused enterprises may be daunted by the prospect of evolving beyond what might be simple telematics systems. The CEO explains the basic premise of Macrocomms’s new division, a business helping clients to bridge the data gap. “This division is specifically focused on providing valuable and useful information to fleet operators by capturing data, analysing it using unique algorithms and feeding the end results back to the operator via a simple dashboard,” he says.

“What makes the MFA system unique is that it also feeds back the costs of the operation and, very importantly, the cost of any deviations from the norm. Another critical element is that the dashboard can be customised to suit an individual client’s needs.” “For example, particular risk areas can be highlighted, including speeding, acceleration, deceleration, cornering and after-hours travel, while the number of variables measured can also be increased or decreased as and when required.”

Moodley also refers to the information overload scenario, something which MFA’s platform removes by analysing and presenting data in a coherent, concise and cost-centric way, and avoiding what the CEO refers to as analysis paralysis syndrome. Crucially, MFA’s system can integrate with data from any telematics provider, meaning clients can keep their existing systems should they wish, and that any fleet operator can adopt the MFA dashboard.

The result is that customers will be able to find answers to important questions. How much is excessive idling costing your organisation? Vinny Perumal, Managing Director

Christiaan Abrie, MD, Fleet Analytics & Connect

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What makes the MFA system unique is that it also feeds back the costs of any deviations from standard routes

The company is looking ahead to a brighter next chapter, which they hope will see more and more enterprises harness the power of fleet analytics. This ties in neatly to Moodley’s concluding statement, the CEO finishing off by outlining what he believes is the essential ingredient to a successful business.

He says: “A successful business is one that is able to adapt to changing environments and understand the dynamics of the country and the world, taking into account changing technologies to best enable companies to achieve their goals.”

Do you know what errant driver behaviour is costing you? Can you compare different driver patterns to find an optimum resolution? What is your total, accurate daily fleet running cost covering everything from maintenance and depreciation to fuel consumption? Moodley’s key message is that, with MFA, all of these vital questions can be answered.

The successful establishment of this specialised division will only serve to futureproof both clients across South Africa, as well as Macrocromm itself. MACROCOMM Tel: +27 10 493 6871 innovation@macrocomm.co.za www.macrocomm.co.za