Machine-to-Machine (M2M) technology has already become a much larger presence than it was a few years ago, and analysts are predicting that this space is only beginning to take off.

“We are at an interesting tipping point in machine-to-machine techonlogy,” Tom Nelson, group manager of Partner Programs for Sprint (News - Alert), told TMCnet in a recent interview. “Some of the different key components of machine-to-machine are starting to come together and I think that’s why we are starting to see explosive traction in this space.”

“There are some analysts that said at CTIA (News - Alert) this year that machine-to-machine will be the biggest driver and the biggest growth opportunity for wireless over the next decade,” he added.

Sprint, a leader in embedded M2M solutions and technologies, is leading the charge in launching breakthrough M2M products and solutions and, accordingly, some of the world’s leading innovators have turned to Sprint for embedded M2M solutions. Sprint recently sat down with TMCnet to discuss where M2M is headed and which industries can benefit most from these new solutions.

M2M technology, which allows one device to communicate directly with another device without the help of an intermediary server or other network equipment, is starting to be seen as the key ingredient in all facets of life, according to Nelson.

So why has M2M exploded so rapidly?

For three main reasons: modules are becoming more compact so it is easier to put M2M devices in consumer electronics; networks are becoming more robust so they can handle different types of wireless transmissions; and the ecosystem is becoming more creative than ever.

“The technology itself literally changes the way that we live, work and play,” Nelson said. “So what does that mean? It means that there are a lot of consumer and business needs that M2M can certainly help address.”

One area that may find embedded M2M solutions particularly valuable is the green space. As different industries work to become greener companies and increase their energy efficiencies, M2M may be found as a viable tool.

Sprint, a company that was ranked No. 6 on Newsweek’s “Green Rankings: The U.S. 500,” is particularly interested to see how M2M can be incorporated into this space.

“A big thing for Sprint is the drive for green and how Sprint can help other companies with wireless technology become greener,” Nelson said.

In addition to the green space, the healthcare industry is another area that may see a rise in embedded M2M solutions. As healthcare costs keep rising exponentially, companies and healthcare professionals are going to have to find newer and more efficient ways to manage healthcare. A variety of M2M devices can help with this, as they can allow for remote monitoring, remote diagnostic equipment and more efficient healthcare products, according to Sprint.

Nowadays, companies are looking for ways to “drive more revenue to the bottom line with new business models as well as how they can reduce the cost to simply become more efficient in the ways that they manage their businesses,” Nelson said.

And the answer is embedded M2M solutions.

“Having the machine talk back and forth to another server makes the whole process more efficient and will provide companies new ways to drive ROI,” Nelson said.

“We are going to see machine-to-machine in many different, interesting ways,” he added. “Other folks have very creative ideas. What Sprint’s role is how can we help them take those creative ideas and have those ideas turned into real products and real services for either businesses or consumers.”