As the demand for machine-to-machine (M2M) technology accelerates rapidly, Digi International (News - Alert) is keeping its finger on the pulse when it comes to what’s hot in the M2M space.

“We make wireless M2M communications easy,” Jan McBride, senior director of services marketing for Digi, told TMCnet in an interview. “We develop reliable products and technologies that enable our customers to connect and securely manage local or remote electronic devices over the network or via the web. From cellular to ZigBee, we offer the industry’s most comprehensive solutions for wirelessly connecting/enabling devices.”

Founded in 1985 as a Minnesota corporation, Digi has worked for over two decades at honing M2M device networking products. Its non-embedded and embedded M2M solutions fall under two brands, the Digi and the Rabbit.

Its embedded M2M solutions include modules, microprocessors, single-board computers, satellite communications products, development kits, software, and design services through its subsidiary Spectrum (News - Alert) Design Solutions. Non-embedded products include cellular routers, gateways, wireless communication adapters (ZigBee, Wi-Fi, proprietary RF), serial servers, intelligent console servers, USB connected products, remote display products, cameras, sensors and the No. 1 selling serial card line in the world, according to company officials.

“The evolution of our cloud computing service called the iDigi Device Cloud and Smart Energy solutions are areas we are seeing tremendous growth and opportunity,” McBride noted. “Our iDigi Device Cloud will enable a whole new world of wireless M2M deployments because it makes it easier and more efficient to provision and manage large-scale M2M networks – a major roadblock of M2M deployments. Our Smart Energy offering is also enabling users to see real-time energy usage data with or without Smart Meter networks in place to reduce energy consumption and speed adoption of Smart Grid technologies.”

“Digi has continued to invest in new technology; you can see this in the many different types of wireless products and solutions that we now offer as an organization,” she added. “With this investment both organically and via acquisition, we are now positioned as a leader in the wireless M2M space globally.”

Helping Digi remain a leader in the M2M space globally is Sprint (News - Alert), a leading provider of embedded M2M solutions.

Since Digi already had a long standing relationship with Sprint as a carrier partner focused around cellular gateways, when Sprint created its Emerging Solutions Group including a focus on M2M solutions, “it made for a perfect match to our continued investment in M2M technology,” according to McBride.

“Together with Sprint, we are looking for ways to bring cellular technology into the M2M space with solution bundles like the recently launched tank monitoring bundles that include Sprint, Digi and key sensor and application partners,” she added.

With Digi technology, consumers can enjoy possibilities across a number of industries including some of the “most exciting opportunities” currently in the smart energy space.

Digi’s wireless products, including the iDigi Device Cloud, were built upon the capabilities of today’s smart grid initiatives, providing a platform where the end users of utility resources can be actively engaged with the utility producers to conserve energy, save money and maximize the ROI of a Smart Grid investment, according to McBride.

“Our Digi X-Grid Solutions utilize the ‘Extended Grid’ to enable real-time, IP-based monitoring and control of home energy devices beyond the electric meter,” she said. “These solutions provide easy access to energy usage information, control of energy consuming devices and management of energy producing capabilities – all in real time.”

So what can we expect from Digi in the coming years?

“We will continue to develop our iDigi Device Cloud and wireless solutions to make wireless M2M communications easier,” McBride said. “With further adoption of our iDigi Device Cloud, we expect to see customers take on larger wireless M2M device deployments to increase efficiency and improve their bottom lines.”