Sierra Wireless, Inc. (Sierra Wireless) provides leading solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) consisted of its recurring connectivity services, cloud platform, routers, and embedded cellular modules. Enterprises, industrial companies, public safety agencies, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide rely on the company’s expertise to digitize their assets by connecting their equipment and products from the edge of the cellular network to the cloud.
The company’s Device-to-Clou...
Sierra Wireless, Inc. (Sierra Wireless) provides leading solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) consisted of its recurring connectivity services, cloud platform, routers, and embedded cellular modules. Enterprises, industrial companies, public safety agencies, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide rely on the company’s expertise to digitize their assets by connecting their equipment and products from the edge of the cellular network to the cloud.
The company’s Device-to-Cloud solutions reduce the complexity of IoT and allow its customers to scale their deployments quickly and securely. The company continues to seek opportunities to partner, acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that will help the company drive its growth strategy forward, and expand the company’s leading position in the IoT market.
The company manufactures cellular wireless devices and provides services in the wireless communications and information technology industry, enabling connectivity for IoT solutions through cellular, and short range wireless technologies. These technologies include 2G cellular standards, such as GSM/GPRS/EDGE and CDMA/1xRTT; 3G standards, such as UMTS (including HSPDA and HSUPA) and EV-DO; 4G standards, such as HSPA+, LTE, and LTE-A; 5G standards, such as fifth generation new radio (5G NR) standards (both millimeter wave and sub-6 Gigahertz frequencies); Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) standards, such as LTE-M and NB-IoT; and wireless local area network technologies, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning. Key industry participants include:
Mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), who deploy, own, and operate wireless networks, and provide service to end users;
Infrastructure vendors, who provide the networking equipment and software to build such networks;
Device manufacturers, who provide voice and data communication devices that use the network, such as modems, embedded wireless modules and wireless routers;
Semiconductor companies who manufacture the technology platforms and chipsets that are often used by device manufacturers to develop their products; and
Application enablement and cloud vendors, who provide applications and data analytics to enterprises and consumers that utilize the wireless networks.
Products and Solutions
The company provides integrated Device-to-Cloud IoT solutions that are consisted of its recurring connectivity services, its IoT embedded cellular modules and routers, its cloud platform, and its high-speed embedded cellular modules and routers. Enterprises, industrial companies, and OEMs worldwide rely on its expertise to deliver fully integrated IoT solutions to reduce complexity, gather intelligent edge data, and enable connected IoT products and services.
With sales, engineering, and R&D teams located in offices around the world, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of embedded modules and routers, seamlessly integrated with its cloud platform and connectivity services. The company’s integrated solutions are developed to be simple, scalable, and secure, enabling customers to get their connected products and services to market faster. Its devices are operating on more than 650 networks globally and the company has shipped more than 200 million connected devices worldwide.
Segments
The company operates through two segments, IoT Solutions and Enterprise Solutions.
IoT Solutions
The company’s IoT Solutions segment includes its cellular wireless IoT module solutions, embedded broadband solutions, and IoT connectivity services.
The company’s world-class and market leading portfolio of cellular wireless IoT modules provide OEMs with 5G, 4G LTE, third generation/second generation (3G/2G), LPWA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GNSS connectivity with simple, scalable, and secure solutions that accelerate product development and deployment. This portfolio of secure IoT modules features built-in edge-to-cloud connectivity and both cloud and industrial APIs. These and other advanced features enable OEMs to simplify product development, integration, and deployment, helping them quickly prototype and deliver new connected products to market. All Sierra Wireless modules feature built-in security, minimizing risk for customers, and reducing the time and resources they need to invest in meeting certification requirements.
The company’s embedded broadband solutions are consisted of its industrial-grade modules that provide unprecedented speed, bandwidth, and network performance for connecting to the world’s 5G and 4G networks. These high-speed modules are typically used in non-industrial applications, namely mobile computing, and enterprise networking.
The company also offers IoT connectivity services that help customers simplify their IoT journey, whether their machines or other connected assets are regionally located or globally dispersed. The company’s Enhanced Carrier Connectivity service optimizes and simplifies North American deployments, with multi-carrier options for IoT deployments in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; and a single point of accountability for connectivity management. The company’s Smart Connectivity service accelerates global IoT deployments, while making it easy for customers to maintain a secure connection to assets anywhere in the world. Both services leverage Sierra Wireless’ 24/7/365 Global Network Operation Center based in Atlanta, Georgia, and the company’s partnerships with more than 650 networks in more than 190 countries.
In the second quarter of 2021, the company announced its new HL78 Series Long-Term Evolution for Machines (HL78 Series) and Narrowband Internet of Things modules. The HL78 Series includes the HL7845 module for smart energy solutions, and the HL7810 and HL7812 for battery powered and low power deployments that require deep area coverage, such as smart city applications, asset tracking, commercial buildings, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. These modules offer best-in-class power consumption and the highest level of security, while minimizing the risk of industrial IoT deployment.
With the company’s first-to-market 5G NR, Sub-6 Gigahertz, millimeter wave 5G IoT modules, it enables many new applications that require secure connectivity worldwide. In the second quarter of 2021, the company announced its next generation of 5G modules, the EM92 Series. These new 5G modules feature 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Release 16 standard capabilities, and provide secure connectivity worldwide at the highest possible speeds and with low latency for mobile computing, routers, industrial automation, commercial video surveillance, healthcare, public safety, and new IoT applications.
Sierra Wireless has a successful track record of pioneering wireless innovations and the company is committed to delivering new 5G solutions to support network rollouts. The company’s expertise, portfolio of integrated end-to-end solutions, and strong partnerships help customers move past the complexities of IoT to drive new revenue streams, new services, and new business models. The company has a strong customer base, and the company makes it simple for its customers to embed high-speed cellular technologies and manage these devices through its IoT cloud platform. The company’s 5G EM Series modules have been designed to connect to 5G networks around the world, and the company’s EM91 Series modules have already been certified to operate by 5G mobile network operators in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Enterprise Solutions
The company’s Enterprise Solutions segment includes its range of Sierra Wireless AirLink routers, IoT applications and advanced network management, managed network services, and mobility applications. These secure 4G, LTE, and 5G NR networking solutions support mission critical applications in key industries, such as retail, financial services, field service, smart grid/smart metering, oil and gas, transportation, and public safety. The company has a broad range of cellular routers complemented by its cloud-based services and software for secure management.
In the second quarter of 2021, the company launched its most advanced 5G router portfolio, the XR Series. The first two routers in the XR Series, the XR90 and the XR80, enable customers to leverage the higher data speeds and lower latency of 5G, required for real-time video streaming and voice communications in mission-critical environments and high performance business-critical 5G applications. The XR Series delivers the full performance of 5G across any network (5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Ethernet) whether used for mobile applications or primary, temporary, or backup fixed wireless connectivity. In November of 2021, the company announced that the 5G XR Series routers had been certified for use on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network in the United States.
The company’s router solutions address a broad range of market applications within the mobility, industrial, and enterprise market segments. The company’s products are known for their technical capability and high reliability in mission-critical applications. These routers leverage its expertise in wireless technologies and offer the latest capabilities in LTE networking, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, and FirstNet.
The company offers asset, fleet, and cargo tracking; offender and remote monitoring; and alarm communications. These solutions and services also benefit from the company’s IoT cloud platform services, which customers can use to help connect devices to mobile networks, manage their devices and build new IoT applications. These applications are market-ready and include all the components of an IoT solution, including edge-to-cloud devices, connectivity, and software applications, with a quick time to market and easy deployment in the field.
In the second quarter of 2021, the company launched Acculink Cargo, a new managed IoT solution for asset tracking, which offers advanced capabilities to track the location and condition of high-value and sensitive assets anywhere in the world. Acculink Cargo has also been integrated with Microsoft Azure IoT Central, providing a managed solution bundling both the hardware and platform bringing simplicity, extra functionality, and capabilities for customers.
The company’s managed network services provide customers with reliable and secure wireless broadband connectivity when and where they need it, by combining its industry-leading hardware portfolio with multi-network connectivity access. With the solution expertly installed by certified installers and managed 24/7/365 by the company’s team of wireless professionals, it provides customers with everything they need for connectivity, with a single monthly price and guaranteed service levels. In October of 2021, the company announced the availability of its 5G managed network service in the United States, offering customers the superior speed and low latency of 5G cellular wireless connectivity for their business-critical applications.
The company also provides a cloud platform that includes advanced reporting and analytics. The company’s AirLink cellular routers are integrated tightly with its AirLink management service. These and other industry-leading capabilities have enabled the company to achieve a leading position in the global cellular wireless IoT router market.
Customers
The company’s IoT devices and solutions are used by a variety of customers across numerous market segments and many use cases. Market segments that the company serves include industrial, utility, energy, manufacturing, transportation, public safety, security, sales and payment, mobile computing, enterprise networking, cleantech, field services, residential, and healthcare.
The company sells its products both directly and through indirect channels, including OEMs, distributors, value-added resellers (resellers), and mobile network operators. The company sells its products to customers worldwide and has built sales and distribution teams to support its international business.
Original Equipment Manufacturers
OEMs are customers that integrate the company’s devices into their machines and equipment, which they manufacture and sell to end-user markets through their own direct sales force and indirect distribution channels. In many cases, the company leverages the market-specific expertise and go-to-market capabilities of its OEM partners to address the connectivity solution needs of certain market segments. The company’s devices have been integrated into a range of OEM solutions, such as commercial vehicles, smart energy meters, point of sale terminals, enterprise routers, notebooks, assembly line machinery, mobile and fixed equipment, alarm panels, and medical equipment. The company sells to OEMs both directly and indirectly through distribution partners around the world.
Resellers and Distributors
Resellers purchase the company’s products either directly from it or from its distributor network and resell them to OEMs and enterprise customers. In order to support the company’s global resellers and OEMs, it has established a global network of distribution partners. Distributors make the company’s products available to a large number of resellers and OEM customers around the world. Resellers often combine the company’s products with other elements of an overall solution, such as additional hardware, application software, and communication services; and deliver a complete solution to the end-user customer. Resellers include IT resellers, system integrators, and application solution providers.
Mobile Network Operators
The company maintains strong relationships with key mobile network operators worldwide and these relationships allow it to stay aligned with wireless technology trends while the company works together to develop the market to drive IoT growth. The company has also entered into wholesale purchase agreements with several mobile network operators that enable it to provide global cellular connectivity services to the company’s customers. Additionally, mobile network operator sales teams often work with the company’s sales teams to jointly sell wireless solutions to OEMs, enterprise, and government customers. The mobile network operator channel provides it with extended customer reach, while at the same time allows the operators to leverage the company’s wireless solutions expertise to help sell their connectivity services.
Strategic Partnerships
In June 2019, the company established a partnership with Microsoft and its Octave solution. In July 2021, the company announced that Acculink, the company’s managed IoT solution for high value asset tracking, was also part of the Azure IoT Central marketplace. The company is actively engaged with the Azure IoT sales team and the Systems Integration partners, which are part of the Azure IoT ecosystem. The company is participating in numerous joint co-marketing activities, including webinars, conferences and events in North America and Europe. The company has secured a number of joint customer wins with Azure and has a growing funnel of joint prospects in development.
In June 2021, the company announced its partnership with Orange and LACROIX on the IoT Continuum, an initiative that aims to simplify and accelerate the mass deployment of cellular IoT in Europe and beyond. The partnership brings together leading players in the IoT ecosystem to open new growth opportunities with significant savings for customers. The company continues to participate in joint co-marketing activities with both Orange and LACROIX on the initiative.
In October 2021, the company announced its collaboration with STMicroelectronics to simplify and accelerate the deployment of connected IoT solutions. This partnership enables the STM32 microcontroller (MCU) community to leverage the company’s cellular IoT connectivity and edge-to-cloud solutions, simplifying the deployment of IoT devices, and enabling a quicker time to market. The collaboration with STMicroelectronics delivers a ready-to-use solution enabling customers developing a wide range of IoT solutions using STM32 MCUs, the ability to easily build solutions with the company’s cellular connectivity. The company continues to participate in joint marketing initiatives with STMicroelectronics, including webinars, blogs, and events.
Intellectual Property
The company holds 119 United States patents and 92 international patents. Additional patent applications are pending.
Governmental Regulation
The company has obtained all necessary Federal Communications Commission, ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada), CRTC (the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission), the European Union (EU), and other required regulatory approvals and licenses for the products and services it sells.
Foreign Operations
The company operates foreign research and development facilities in Toulouse, France; Atlanta, the United States; and Taipei, Taiwan.
The company’s major foreign sales, marketing and support functions are in Toulouse, France; Atlanta, the United States; and Taipei, Taiwan.
The company uses a number of large global EMS providers with factories located in Vietnam, China, and Mexico to manufacture its products and provide integral supply chain services. The company also uses additional partners to support regional manufacturing requirements and select products, including more complex, lower volume devices.
The company is a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), conducting its operations in line with the RBA Code of Conduct.
When selling into the U.S., the company complies with the regulations set out by The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (California Proposition 65), which restricts chemicals in drinking water and the Toxic Substance Control Act, which restricts substances and chemicals in products sold into the U.S.
Competition
IoT Services: The company’s competitors include MNOs and other companies who operate MVNOs or cloud platforms for the IoT market, such as 1NCE, Aeris Communications Inc., Hologram Inc., Kore Wireless Group Inc., and Wireless Logic.
Wireless Embedded Modules: The company’s primary competitors include Fibocom Wireless Inc., Gemalto NV (acquired by Thales Group), Quectel Wireless Solutions Co. Ltd., Telit Communications PLC, and u-blox.
Intelligent Routers: The company’s competitors in this line of business vary by market segment and include Cisco Systems Inc., Cradlepoint Incorporated (acquired by Ericsson), Digi International Inc., Multi-Tech Systems Inc., and Peplink.
History
Sierra Wireless, Inc. was founded in 1993. The company was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act in 1993.
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