The first platform for the Internet of Things, developed in Russia using domestic technologies, appeared in May this year. As the site was told by Igor Kheresh, Deputy General Director for Business Development of JSC "Group-T1" (part of Renova Group of Companies), today its capabilities are being tested by companies working in the field of energy, insurance, vehicle monitoring, smart home, etc. Due to its versatility, the IoT platform is able to work with heterogeneous sensors, applications and has the ability to connect predictive analytics modules, which allows it to be used in a variety of industries.
Igor, tell us, please, about the prerequisites for creating a universal platform for the Internet of Things?
A year and a half ago, the team of JSC "Group-T1" was formed from professionals who had previously worked in various areas of telematics and telecom: in the production of telematics equipment, in the cartographic business, in various telematic service providers, in telecom operators of fixed and mobile communications and etc.
We asked ourselves: "What were our difficulties in working with telematics platforms in past jobs and projects?"
As a result, we came to the conclusion that earlier all telematics platforms were created for narrow-profile tasks: vehicle monitoring, monitoring of anti-theft systems, etc. More than ten years have passed since the creation of such solutions. Over the years, technology has undergone major changes and transformations.
When we decided to analyze the market of existing solutions in the field of the Internet of Things a year and a half ago, we found that many large international software vendors have many so-called Internet of Things platforms based on existing ERP systems, which greatly limits their application. By and large, it is difficult to call it a platform for the Internet of Things; rather, it is an extension of the functionality of ERP and CRM systems.
Our team has set itself the task of creating a global system that will have functionality for various types of human and business activities. It should be able to monitor the health status, the state of the cultivated areas of agricultural crops, the state of energy facilities, etc., that is, it should be a universal basis for any solution to the Internet of Things.
In May this year, using the example of the Smart Home system, we presented our ready-made platform in action.
What makes your solution unique?
Any platform for the Internet of Things, in my understanding, is a giant horizontal scalable database that allows you to consume data from any type of special device and applications, as well as process the information received: from sensors in a wristband, from mHealth devices, from humidity sensors soil, vegetables and fruits, temperature sensors in a smart home, car sensors, etc.
The task of any platform for the Internet of Things is to quickly and efficiently consume and store data, and with the help of analytics and visualization modules, provide various services.
I believe that our platform can be called unique for the domestic market, since it does not use a single module that would need to be licensed. The solution is built on the basis of open technologies, which means that it does not require deductions of funds to licensors, which leads to a decrease in the cost of using the service. In addition, our platform is "omnivorous", which contributes to its development and the subsequent introduction of similar products in various areas.
For example, today you can use it for a smart home, and tomorrow - to collect thousands of different parameters from gas turbine plants.
The analytics modules in the platform will tell you the approximate date of failure of the elements of gas turbine plants, when it is necessary to change the bearings in order to avoid accidents. The smart home analyzes the readings of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, motion sensors, etc. to turn on the air conditioner and air humidifiers when you return from work. At the same time, a single database, a single parsing module is used. It would seem that the analytics is different, but everything is based on a single software.
One of the most important advantages of such a platform is the simplicity of its customization. For mobile telecom operators who plan to use our product to provide the Smart Home service to their end customers, this is one customization, for an energy complex company that plans to use the platform to receive information from turbines, this is another customization.
Which companies are already interested in your Smart Home solution? Do you have pilot projects with them?
We are focused on providing our solutions to customers from Russia and the CIS. We have interested parties from Kazakhstan - telecom companies that plan to use our platform to provide smart home services to end consumers. We are currently negotiating with two telecom operators in Russia on a similar request.
In addition, we receive applications from energy companies to organize pilot projects. We visualize predictive models for them to predict equipment breakdowns. This will help reduce repair costs, prevent forced downtime of equipment, and, possibly, accidents. Recently we have received inquiries from insurance companies and fleets that want to use our solutions for driving style analysis, accident prevention, etc.
As you can see, these are different expectations that an IoT platform can meet.
We are implementing pilot projects in the field of energy, passenger transport and smart home. Testing is ongoing now, so I cannot disclose the details of pilot projects.
Should we expect the emergence of new domestic platforms for the Internet of Things? What are the prerequisites for this?
As I already noted, technology has undergone major changes and transformations lately.
One of the key prerequisites that will lead to the emergence of new domestic platforms for the Internet of Things is the specificity of the market. For example, in Russia the cost of cellular services is one of the lowest in the world, including GPRS traffic. For example, in the UK, a gas company will try to replace the GSM communication in sensors with PLC or LPWAN, because cellular traffic is expensive there. And in Russia at the moment it is easier to create a solution based on GSM communication, since communication is cheap and of high quality.
Now it is difficult to imagine, but it is possible that in the near future there will be much more metering devices with SIM cards in our country than in Europe, where communication is much more expensive.
I told Rusbase about the main mistakes of a sales manager or any person who decided to sell something to someone.
Do you want the buyer to believe you? Then never do that.
Want to sell something to someone? Then don't ever do this
Igor KhereshSurvival is the one who has "stronger elbows" and the Internet is faster
With the development of the number of not so much professionals, but more "insolent" in the sales market, competition has increased, and this is like natural selection according to Darwin - the one who has "stronger elbows" and the Internet faster survives.
In Russia, a classic "salesman", as a rule, is a graduate of a polytechnic university, no matter what city. The young man, who has not worked a day by profession, buys a suit, a briefcase and goes on sale. In this case, almost everything is bad, except, perhaps, enthusiasm, but this is not at all a guarantee of success.
Everyone is wrong... This must be remembered and prepared.
But making mistakes in such a way as to remain “on horseback” is a special talent, for such sellers they hold on to the last.
In my personal practice, there have been different cases from a banal delay to a client for a meeting to an error in calculations.
The main thing to remember is that the seller is a public being
He, that is, I, is a kind of quintessence of universal human skills and vices at the same time. The "salesperson" must always be clean and honest, so any mistake I make becomes a common human problem.
21 years ago, when I was just starting to wear my “salesperson's suit,” the hardest part was getting rid of the syndrome of “restless hands” and unnecessary words in conversations. Unfortunately, there are no special life hacks on this topic and cannot exist.
Total self-control and good sleep are your faithful friends in any weather. Six months later, it will be recorded on the subcortex, the main thing is not to overdo it.
Once, on a date with a girl, I caught myself thinking that I was speaking automatically, like a salesman. She noticed this and said that she would call back.
Speaking of friends, my first boss taught that colleagues should be friends who you can always come to for advice, no matter how trivial it may sound. Much, definitely, depends on how the leader builds relationships in the team. The rest is up to the team itself. Now warm, sincere relationships in companies are very rare, but as a rule, I am lucky.
Not sure of yourself - write a sample dialogue in advance, close in the meeting room, speak out loud several times and forward.
2. Inability to hear a client and a superficial attitude to his requests is the main scourge not only of sellers, but also of most people in general.
Your task is not to "defeat" the client, but to help. Telling about your product is the second thing, first - to understand the client and offer what you yourself would be ready to buy in his position.
3. Very often a “salesperson” who is not confident in himself is ready to agree with the client.
In a conversation with a client, you cannot use something like: "Yes, I agree, it's expensive." This is both check and checkmate in favor of the client. He is gone and will definitely not buy anything from you. But if I said: "Yes, I agree, it's expensive, but you will save here, here and here"- sounds completely different.
4. Who told you that you are better? Very often, you can hear the "smell" of arrogance in relation to the client from sellers.
Like: "Don't you know?"... Yes, he does not know, your task is to rejoice at the opportunity to give the client new information useful to him, and not to take revenge on him for his "obsession". Become a client's friend, best of all, sincerely. Who told you that you are smarter?
The most valuable thing that I have learned in so many years is that even the most thorough knowledge of your product and good manners will not make you a sales star if for you empathy and belief in what you are selling are empty sounds.
Igor Kheresh is a manager by profession, and until a certain moment he did not even think about taking up photography. But once I saw an album by Henri Cartier-Bresson - and since then photography, especially street photography, has become an integral part of his life. Today Igor tells about himself to our magazine.
About myself
I am a manager by profession, the world of photography was opened for me by my friend, who showed me an album by Henri Cartier-Bresson. I started shooting ten years ago. I studied photography on my own, bought albums, tried to repeat. The book by Alexander Iosifovich Lapin greatly influenced me. He graduated from one course at the Academy of Classical Photography (taught by Anton Gorbachev).
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About street photography
I am attracted to people. Their thoughts, their joys and sorrows. They stand, walk, think. Urban geometry is also interesting. Its rhythm, its complexity. I really like to show people - their feelings, emotions, experiences. I have tried many times to photograph architecture or a portrait - this is absolutely not mine. I would like to record those moments in people's lives that we may see every day, but do not pay attention to them.
Street photography is a drive. Someone is trying to get adrenaline while driving a car or jumping from a parachute. And I - photographing people in the market or in the subway.
About black and white photography
I have read many interviews with photographers who shoot in b / w. Everyone explains their attachment to black and white photography in different ways. I honestly say that, in my opinion, it is easier. It is easier to convey what you want in b / w. For me, color photography is difficult. I think I will spend the next 10 years studying color.
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About weather
Any weather inspires me, because in any weather you can find a subject to shoot.
About travel
I am lucky that for work I often have to travel on business. I just get up early in the morning before meetings or take an extra day and go around the whole city, if it's small, all the flea markets, sleeping areas. I can recall many trips in which, in my opinion, decent pictures were obtained. These are Beijing, New York, Smolensk and London.
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About the shooting process
If the frame did not work out and there is an opportunity, I return, but not always it is. There are situations when you have enough time, excellent shooting conditions, but nothing comes of it. It all depends only on you. No mood - nothing will work.
On the criteria for good photography
There is only one criterion for a good photo - the time that the viewer spent looking at the photo.
About technique
I originally had a Canon 30D. Accordingly, I have a lot of Canon lenses. There was a moment when there was a strong desire to switch to Nikon, but reason convinced me not to switch, so as not to spend a lot of money on glasses for Nikon again.
About the qualities a photographer needs
It all depends on what the photographer is shooting. If it is a wedding photography, then you need some character traits, if shooting objects - completely different. I am a very emotional person. I think it rather helps me in photography.
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About creative guides
Among Russian photographers I am inspired by Slyusarev, Mukhin, Maksimishin. Of the non-Russian ones, these are Cartier-Bresson, Koudelka, Kartesh.
About the club
I learned about the club on the Internet. I entered because I was interested in the opportunity to get a photographer's certificate.
My daughter is fond of rhythmic gymnastics, and one day she asked me to shoot the Grand Prix in rhythmic gymnastics. Thanks to the club, I received accreditation and took pictures of gymnasts all day next to photojournalists from the most famous sports newspapers and magazines right at the gymnastic mat. The experience of shooting sports competitions has appeared. And members of the fan club printed one of my photos of a gymnast on T-shirts. I think this is the most honest and pleasant assessment for a photographer.
I had two dreams related to photography: to publish a book and to do an exhibition. I have solved the first problem, but the second has not yet been solved. If the club will help photographers first bring their work to the level of the exhibition (albeit not for free), and then help in organizing the exhibition itself, it will be great!
Application form. about the author
Name, surname, age:Igor Kheresh
Website: www.garry.ru
Technics:Canon 5D Mark III
Inspiration: people