New Zealand telco Spark is helping its IoT users improve service reliability and reduce operational costs by advancing its IoT control centre platform with AI and ML features from Cisco.

Cisco has added two new modules to the Cisco IoT control centre connectivity platform that can process massive amounts of data in near real time for IoT users. With these capabilities, Spark customers can detect and address potential issues with their IoT deployments as early as possible, helping simplify cost management and reduce unexpected charges.

IoT deployments generate vast amounts of data per day, making it impossible for enterprise customers to monitor their IoT deployment personally and catch issues when they arise. This can lead to larger problems impacting service reliability, increasing cost and compromising security.

Cisco is solving this problem for Spark with two modules added to the control centre connectivity platform that use proprietary machine-learning algorithms to process massive amounts of data in near real time for its enterprise users.

The first module deals with anomaly detection. It monitors each enterprise customer independently and trains itself on the device’s behaviour to determine what is normal and what is abnormal, flagging any anomalies, allowing the user to review and address potential issues quickly.

The second module deals with cost optimisation. It analyses the entire device deployment and determines the optimal rate plan for each device based on actual data usage for the current billing cycle, saving enterprises up to 15% off their typical connectivity costs.

“By adding these enhancements to the Cisco IoT control centre, we continue to strengthen our IoT capabilities to reduce customer operational and billing issues and enhance our value to enterprise customers,” said Tony Agar, Spark IoT lead. “Through our partnership with Cisco, we are able to help businesses become more productive, resilient and sustainable through innovative technology.”

Masum Mir, vice president at Cisco, added: “Spark continues to differentiate itself by driving innovation to help its customers realise the full potential of IoT to help lower costs and automate services. With these advancements to the Cisco IoT control centre, Spark enterprise customers can detect and address potential issues with their IoT deployments as early as possible, simplify cost management and minimise unexpected charges.”

Spark provides mobile, broadband and digital services to millions of New Zealanders and thousands of New Zealand businesses.