Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

Whilst the tracking of assets remains crucial, smart transport networks are now delivering substantial benefits to passengers, operators, and local authorities. Urban services are becoming more efficient, effective, and safe.

End-to-end solutions within the industry leverage advanced technologies like 4G routers and cameras. Tracking systems for trams, buses, and trains are becoming more sophisticated, accurately estimating and advertising arrival times while factoring in potential delays. These solutions often rely on 4G data SIMs, some with a fixed IP or delivered via a secure Private APN.

Warehouses are increasingly adopting these solutions not only to stay competitive but also to realise significant benefits in terms of manpower savings and cost reductions. The advent of 5G is further empowering companies, even in rural locations, to adopt new technologies that streamline and enhance workflow tracking.

What do MSPs need from suppliers in this sector?

In serving the evolving needs of the transport and logistics sector, resellers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) need to offer choice and control. A wholesale supplier with a diverse range of connectivity options, from single to multi-network to Fixed IP, is essential. Many MSPs have established robust relationships within this sector, understanding the challenges faced and proposing customised solutions.

End-users require continuous connectivity and control over their data usage to prevent data overage charges. Jola’s partners play a crucial role in managing global SIM estates through Mobile Manager, providing real-time data usage insights, alerts bolt-ons, and data pools. These tools enable efficient monitoring of usage, preventing bill shock. Additionally, the use of mobile data networks expedites start-up processes, eliminating delays associated with lengthy fixed-line installations.

What are the key challenges for MSPs in this market?

Service providers, without the assistance of an intelligent aggregator, encounter several challenges in the 4G landscape. Firstly, varying network strengths in specific locations necessitate relationships with multiple network providers. Secondly, the absence of data usage tracking leaves devices susceptible to high overage charges when exceeding monthly allowances. Thirdly, there is a crucial need for a secure channel for transmitting financial data.

Cost-effective multi-network SIMs, coupled with an online ordering and management portal, address these challenges. Portals which facilitate data usage tracking, enable the setup of usage alerts, and allow for the retroactive application of bolt-ons ensure data costs are controlled. Data pools provide the flexibility of sharing data across multiple SIMs, while buffer pools eliminate high data overage charges. Furthermore, the utilisation of Private APN networks enhances security by facilitating the encrypted transmission of data across a private mobile network.

Education

The channel educates businesses to adopt new technologies and find smarter ways to solve problems. We highlight products being switched off, such as 3G and PSTN, to help companies prepare with improved, more cost-effective solutions.

New Technologies

With technologies being switched off and the current economic climate, demand for cost-effective, managed mobile data solutions from the channel has never been as high. We are seeing an exponential rise in demand for SIMs, not only for use in 5G/4G routers, pre-Ethernet connectivity and Ethernet back-up but also for digital signage, monitoring and smart devices.  Resellers, manufacturers and service companies are finding new uses for mobile data daily, and as we accelerate towards 5G, this is unlikely to slow down.

Marketing is key

Companies need to know their target audience, requirements, buying habits, competition and unique selling points. Businesses need a multi-touch marketing strategy to reflect common problems and highlight unique solutions. It is important to be visible on and offline. Your website needs to be visible in searches for your audience, your content should be clear, and your call to action should be easy. Be where your buyers are. By joining local trade associations, winning and promoting opportunities won in the local area and delivering a constantly reliable and excellent service.

The Channel

Our partners pride themselves on excellence and trusted relationships with their customers. They understand their unique requirements and deliver what they say they will when they say they will. Being local, they can spend time with customers face-to-face in their offices, offering personalised support that the competition cannot compete with.

MSPs and resellers partner with aggregators and experts in their fields to allow them to deliver the widest range of solutions at the best possible prices. They look for partners with automated portals so they can retain control of their customer experience.

Suppliers

Channel-only suppliers are only successful if their resellers are successful. As a result, the best channel-only suppliers will have a tried-and-tested go-to-market programme to help resellers be successful as quickly as possible. Jola partners benefit from our MRG™ programme, a proven process for targeting and closing opportunities, maximising customer satisfaction.

During lock-down businesses were forced to make remote working available for all employees very quickly. Jola helped partners supply mobile data solutions to suit every requirement. Since then, we have seen a rise in the use of cloud-based, collaborative software, such as Microsoft Teams for seamless hybrid working. A focus on communication and collaboration is required to support this. 

Hybrid working has many benefits. For employees, they don’t need to battle the traffic every day and can manage their workload effectively.

Many of our employees work in the office a couple of days a week to facilitate wellbeing, social lunches and informal meetings. This encourages cross-departmental team building and problem solving. We are conscious of employee burn out and encourage regular coffee breaks and lunchtime walks wherever they work.

Being in the same room for key meetings is also useful to ensure every participant is fully engaged and not distracted by someone at the door or urgent emails coming in.

New starters can feel a little isolated. It is useful when starting a new job to be in the office to build relationships with key departments to know who to go to with any issues and who can support them in their role. Corporate culture is hard to learn remotely when you are not living and breathing it in the same office as your colleagues.

At Jola, we work with with our partners to build differentiated propositions to facilitate hybrid working. We help partners to create a compelling proposition, highlighting how it uniquely solves the problem and the current and future benefits.

The IoT Market

The IoT market was once the domain of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). This is no longer the case; there is now a significant role for the channel. We are increasingly assisting resellers in identifying IoT opportunities or responding to inbound enquiries within their existing base. The MNOs can truly be compared to utility companies. They must manage large-scale infrastructure projects, such as expanding their 5G networks and continually enhancing coverage. However, the organisational mindset that successfully delivers these massive projects differs from that found in our most successful, rapidly growing entrepreneurial channel businesses. We win business by being innovative, flexible, and responsive to the ever-changing needs of customers.

The Opportunities

The IoT opportunities that were common a couple of years ago were generally focused on providing support for relatively low-usage mobile applications such as vehicle tracking, handheld card processing, and smart metering. Recent advancements, such as the ever-increasing 5G footprint and the constant reduction in cost per MB, mean that there are now almost no connectivity applications that cannot be supported by a mobile data solution rather than a fixed line.

AI

The rapid development of AI is driving whole new IoT use cases.  From vehicle tracking in the past, we now have resellers with AI powered cameras providing real-time collision avoidance on building sites.  We’re actively involved in self-driving vehicle pilot programmes around the world via UK based resellers.  IoT and AI is also being used more and more as part of net-zero projects to help optimise the use of renewable energy sources and battery storage.

Demand Drivers

The vast majority of demand from the channel is being driven by the same underlying themes, which are reliability, security and flexibility. 

Most IoT requirements we see are mission critical to the end customer and so as a result we sell 10 multi-network SIMs for every single network SIM.  We even have some sites where we’ve delivered satellite connectivity alongside 5G mobile data to provide belt and braces high speed connectivity.

We’ve all seen the threat posed by cyberattacks as a result of the disruption caused to both M&S and the Co-op in recently.  Cybersecurity is no longer a nice to have it needs to be part and parcel of any digital solution, IoT or otherwise.  Jola has protected all our public IP and Private APN traffic with always on realtime Cloudflare protection since 2022.  This has protected Jola’s resellers and their end-users from thousands of DDoS attacks that would have otherwise disrupted their businesses and inflated their bills.

Jola is a founding member of the Big Goal, an initiative dedicated to addressing youth homelessness through the transformative power of football. The Street Soccer Foundation, a nationally acclaimed charity, are tackling youth homelessness with the support of clubs across the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) by equipping individuals with the skills they need for a brighter future.

The Big Goal, known for its holistic approach to youth development, aligns with Jola's commitment to fostering positive change and community well-being. By supporting the Big Goal, Jola aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people. This month Jola’s football team took part in a charity football tournament in Derby.  They played well, showing great teamwork and spirit but missed out on qualifying for the national finals.

Rob Stevens, Jola’s COO, commented “Football is a big part of my family life, providing a fantastic way to engage with young people in the local community. The Channel has a responsibility to help overcome challenges faced by our young people, and the Big Goal was set up for that purpose. We focus on imparting valuable skills, aiding in education, upskilling, inspiring, and ultimately changing lives for the better.”