Channel technologies, Enterprise

AT&T, Microsoft Azure Cloud Scale IoT Device Management

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AT&T and Microsoft are teaming up on a new ‘guardian device’ that will help customers deploy and manage IoT devices at scale. The new IoT solution will allow customers to connect devices and machines to their own cloud environment without the need to connect through third-party Wi-Fi network connections, the two companies say.

AT&T and Microsoft launched an extensive multi-year alliance in 2019, aimed at enabling new 5G, cloud and edge computing solutions to drive enterprise capabilities for companies around the world, the companies said.

AT&T, Microsoft Collaborate on Solution to Deploy and Manage IoT Devices

The new IoT security solution includes hardware, OS and cloud services and integrates with Azure Sphere. The system connects machines and equipment to the cloud via secure networking over AT&T’s global network, according to the statement.

The guardian device will ease the process of connecting machines and equipment to the cloud, bypassing the need for public Internet, and allowing customers to easily connect existing equipment to the cloud, according to the companies.

The solution has wide application for partners and customers in industries like fast food, healthcare, manufacturing and retail, the companies said, providing customers with the ability to retrofit existing equipment into digitally enabled "smart" devices through secure cellular connections.

AT&T, Microsoft Collaboration: Executive Insight

Corey Sanders, executive vice president, Microsoft solutions
Corey Sanders, executive vice president, Microsoft solutions

Mo Katibeh, chief product and platform officer, AT&T

"Our work with AT&T is a prime example of how the convergence of secure cloud computing and network technology helps businesses unlock new customer value and continuously simplify every aspect of our personal and professional lives," said Corey Sanders, corporate vice president, Microsoft Solutions.

"AT&T and Microsoft share the belief that technology should serve people," added Mo Katibeh, executive vice president and chief product and platform officer, AT&T Business.  "Working with Microsoft we can offer a truly global solution with strong security and data insights that can help a broad array of industries simplify operations, manage costs, and become more agile in any market."

Sharon Florentine

Sharon is a master technology storyteller and editor with omnichannel experience: books and print magazines, digital, webcast, blogging, podcast, live events and video and associated brand-specific social media content. From 1999 to 2003, she acquired and edited technology books and certification exam prep guides.

After a year spent in publicity and editorial at mass-market book publishers, she returned to tech publishing and, since 2004, explored B2C and B2B news, issues and trends in consumer, lifestyle, software, software development, AI, ML, networks, big data, hardware, security, storage, cloud, equity, inclusion, diversity, women in tech, career development, IT management, H-1B visa issues and immigration, education, training and learning.

Her previous role was as the managing editor at Techstrong Group in charge of Cloud Native Now, DevOps.com, Security Boulevard and Techstrong ITSM and their brand-specific social media. She currently serves as editorial director for CyberRisk Alliance’s channel brands, ChannelE2E and MSSP Alert and acting editorial director for SC Media UK. Drop me a note and let’s talk!

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