Tech Data Corp., of Clearwater, Fla., has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Propel GPS LLC to offer asset tracking solutions through its Smart IoT Solutions practice.
Based in Reston, Va., with an office in Henderson, N.C., Propel makes a cloud-based solution that lets transportation companies and other truck fleet operators collect location and performance data on vehicles and the people driving them. Embedded sensors allow users to monitor tank levels and load temperatures as well, and receive real-time alerts if readings fall outside preset parameters. Reporting functionality then enables managers to study a variety of truck maintenance, driver safety, and other metrics.
“The partnership between Tech Data and Propel creates a compelling IoT solution customized for our partners and their end customers,” said Angie McCourt, vice president of the Americas IoT Solutions Group at Tech Data, in a press statement. “We’re leveraging the power of the Propel team’s 20+ years of experience in this space, in conjunction with our strategic partner relationships and market know-how, to offer a better customer experience and value, as well as a high level of service.”
Tech Data launched its Smart IoT Solutions unit last July in an effort to help channel partners build, sell, and support end-to-end Internet of Things deployments. The distributor announced a partnership with Panduit Corp., of Tinley Park, Ill., just days later to offer Internet of Things solutions for manufacturers.
Transportation and manufacturing are two of five vertical markets the Smart IoT Solutions group targets. Retail, logistics, and a field Tech Data calls “smart spaces” encompassing building security, energy optimization, and related solutions, are the others.
The global population of sensors, beacons, and other web-enabled things will climb 31 percent in 2017 to 8.4 billion, according to Gartner, which also expects worldwide spending on IoT end points and services to reach nearly $2 trillion this year.
