The Internet of Things cuts across so many technology areas that no single vendor can provide every piece of the puzzle. Therefore, IoT partnerships will rule the day for the foreseeable future as companies put together initiatives.
A sterling example of this fact is the partnership Ford Motor Company has formed with Pivotal to create a software platform that supports FordPass, the automaker's smart car application. Here are the key details from the announcement:
By collaborating with Pivotal, Ford gains a wealth of rapid Internet software development methodologies, next-generation cloud platform, and analytics capabilities, as teams of IT engineers working at startup speeds continuously innovate new consumer experiences for FordPass
In the near future, consumers could have the capability to access car-sharing and ride-sharing experiences via FordPass by incorporating mobility pilot programs currently under way as part of the Ford Smart Mobility plan
FordPass – a free digital, physical and personal platform – features four benefits for members: Marketplace includes mobility services such as parking and sharing; FordGuides help consumers move more efficiently; Appreciation, where members are recognized for their loyalty; and FordHubs, where consumers can experience Ford’s latest innovations.
FordPass also will allow Ford owners with SYNC® Connect technology to remotely start, lock and unlock, and locate their vehicle – capabilities that will play a key role in future mobility services.
In the future, customers will be able to access both car-sharing and ride-sharing services via FordPass. Experimental work with Pivotal is now under way as teams are building the foundation for future applications and consumer experiences.
Analysis: A Pivotal Partnership for Ford
"We live in the era of next-generation applications, where traditional platforms are not yet in sync with the demands and best practices of the 21st century, and at the same time we know that software is eating the world," says Constellation Research VP and principal analyst Holger Mueller. "So it is good to see Ford taking more ownership in regard to software platforms and starting to build these in-house."
It's not surprising that Ford selected Pivotal's PaaS, given its popularity ranking among enterprises, Mueller adds.
Meanwhile, "the smart car is the third leg of the consumer battle" in IoT, along with smartphones and smart homes, says Constellation Research VP and principal analyst Andy Mulholland.
The automotive industry is facing a perfect storm of transformation during the IoT era, and must grapple with factors such as legislation over safety features aimed at making cars more "aware" of situations, Mulholland adds. "You can consider that the inevitable change factor of compliance in a crowded world, but it also forces the makers to become tech players. It increases the basic tech platform level of all cars."
Looking at Ford specifically, it will be interesting to see how the Pivotal partnership helps the automaker from a competitive standpoint.
"The auto industry has focused as you might expect on Android and Apple for the consumer side, with Ford alone in choosing Microsoft as its original partner," Mulholland notes. (Ford no longer uses Microsoft for the OS of Sync, its onboard infotainment system, but the companies continue to partner for remote software updates.)
"Ford seems determined to plow a unique path and not be a me-too player probably thinking that this is a key competitive feature of a future car manufacturer," and the Pivotal partnership is a further step in this direction, he adds.
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