Managing remote assets and infrastructure has become increasingly complex in our interconnected world. Whether you’re dealing with gateways, routers, or in-vehicle deployments, the need for effective network management is paramount. Sierra Wireless offers a range of solutions to address these challenges: AirLink Management Service (ALMS), AirLink Manager (AM), and AirLink Mobility Manager (AMM). In this article, we’ll compare these services to help you make an informed decision about which one suits your needs best.
AirLink Management Service (ALMS)
ALMS is Sierra Wireless’ flagship network management solution for AirLink gateways and routers. It offers an array of advanced features to streamline device management and ensure optimal performance:
- Over-the-Air (OTA) Device Management: ALMS supports OTA device registration, configuration, and software updates, reducing the need for manual intervention and on-site visits.
- Customizable Dashboards: Configurable dashboards provide real-time insights into your entire fleet, allowing you to monitor device status, signal information, and locations effortlessly.
- Advanced Troubleshooting: An interactive monitoring dashboard and map enable quick troubleshooting, while one-click firmware updates help maintain device software efficiently.
- Alerts and Heartbeat Reporting: Custom alerts and heartbeat reporting help you identify and address device issues promptly, minimizing downtime and field trips.
- Subscription Model: ALMS is available through an active AirLink Services subscription, making it accessible to businesses of varying sizes.
- AirLink Complete: Sierra Wireless offers AirLink Complete, which combines ALMS with 24/7 technical support and an extended warranty. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure mission-critical infrastructure operates at peak efficiency.
- AirLink Premium: This service enhances ALMS further, providing robust reporting capabilities, reducing downtime, and extending your warranty coverage for up to 5 years with an active subscription.
AirLink Manager (AM)
AM is designed for situations where cloud-based management is not an option, catering to fixed deployments. Key features of AM include:
- On-Premises Solution: AM offers an on-premises network management solution for AirLink routers and gateways, ideal for environments where cloud-based management is not feasible.
- Real-Time Data: AM provides a continuous stream of real-time network data, allowing users to monitor and analyze the behavior of connected devices.
- Custom Alerts and Reports: Users can create custom alerts and generate on-demand or pre-scheduled historical reports for in-depth analysis and diagnostics.
AirLink Mobility Manager (AMM)
AMM is a comprehensive network management solution designed specifically for in-vehicle deployments. It comes in two variations: hosted service for MG routers and gateways and “in the enterprise” for all AirLink routers and gateways:
- Real-Time Fleet Management: AMM enables real-time configuration, control, and troubleshooting of in-vehicle AirLink routers and gateways, making it suitable for mobile assets and mission-critical applications.
- Rich Real-Time Data: Like AM, AMM provides a continuous stream of rich, real-time network data for monitoring and analysis.
- Advanced Vehicle Tracking: AMM includes advanced vehicle tracking capabilities, thanks to the AirLink Tracker®. This allows organizations to monitor fleet positions, direction, and speed in real-time, as well as access detailed information about access routes and incident scenes.
- Custom Alerts and Reports: Similar to AM, AMM allows the creation of custom alerts and offers on-demand or pre-scheduled historical reports for in-depth analysis and diagnostics.
How to Select the Right Solution for Your Needs
When it comes to choosing the ideal device management solution, several factors come into play. Your choice hinges on the nature of the assets you’re overseeing, your data requirements (including when and where you want it stored), and, naturally, your budget. As you contemplate different device management platforms, here are some key questions to consider:
- Where Should Your Data Reside? Sierra Wireless offers two hosting options for your data:
- Cloud-based: This option entails hosting your device management software and associated data on Amazon Web Services (AWS), taking advantage of AWS’s robust security, scalability, and performance. Cloud-based deployments can save organizations both time and money. They offer a lower entry cost and eliminate the need to build or maintain physical data centers.
- On-premise: With this choice, the solution is locally installed on your computers and servers. For businesses operating in highly regulated industries, the decision may already be clear, as regulations might dictate on-premise hosting. Others may prefer on-premise hosting for the control and peace of mind it offers by keeping data in-house.
- Are Both On-Premise and Cloud Equally Secure? Yes, both on-premise and cloud solutions can be secure, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The security of a system largely depends on how organizations secure, manage, and operate it, regardless of its hosting location. Common vulnerabilities include outdated patches, weak security infrastructure, and insufficient monitoring of user access.
The trend has been moving toward cloud management systems due to their scalability and access to specialized teams with expertise in cloud services. Cloud management also reduces the labor-intensive tasks required to maintain on-premise servers. In our recommendation, cloud management is the choice for its ease of use and security that matches or surpasses on-premise alternatives.
- Are You Monitoring Fixed or Mobile Assets? Asset monitoring serves various purposes, such as data collection, process monitoring, secure operations, asset lifespan extension, and worker safety and productivity improvements. The level of information needed depends on the type of assets under observation.
- For fixed assets, tracking can enhance security, prolong asset life, and facilitate telemetry and operational data collection and distribution.
- Mobile assets offer richer data, including telematics and vehicular information. Ensure your asset management platform can seamlessly integrate and present advanced location and diagnostic data from remote telematics.
- Do You Require Real-Time Data Updates? Traditional data analytics involve data gathering followed by analysis. Real-time analytics, tailored to your business needs, continually ingest fresh data, enabling analysts to observe changes as they happen and gain insights in real time, rather than relying solely on retrospective analyses.
The need for real-time data depends on your specific analysis and application requirements. For instance, dispatch and logistics agencies benefit from real-time asset tracking to manage routes effectively. If your use case permits, opting for scheduled data updates can help keep data costs in check.
Need Further Assistance?
Don’t stress over all your choices! Contact our team to discuss your requirements. We’ll help to determine the best solution for your application.
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