Elly Yates-Roberts |
AT&T and Microsoft are building on their partnership by collaborating to improve connectivity between the cloud and internet of things (IoT) devices. AT&T is developing a new ‘guardian device’ on Azure Sphere which could help “businesses unlock new customer value” with IoT deployments at scale.
The new solution combines the IoT security of Azure Sphere – Microsoft’s IoT application platform – with AT&T’s network. Microsoft says that the guardian device is “easy to install and provides an end-to-end solution for connecting machines and equipment to the cloud, bypassing the need for public internet”.
“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 of Microsoft Solutions.
Microsoft says that the development enables enterprises to easily connect existing equipment to the cloud and Azure IoT Central. As such, organisations can deploy IoT applications and leverage the combined security benefits of AT&T’s cellular network and Azure Sphere.
“AT&T and Microsoft share the belief that technology should serve people,” added Mo Katibeh, chief product and platform officer at 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.”