February 2017 - The Minol-ZENNER Group has acquired a stake in SmartMakers GmbH. The young Karlsruhe-based company specializes in consulting, development and implementation of network and application solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT). With this acquisition, the Minol-ZENNER Group is further expanding its strategic partnerships in the IoT sector. As recently as January, the manufacturer of measuring instruments and energy service provider took part in the Swiss start-up TrackNet, which also develops IoT-based solutions. "We have the clear goal of becoming one of the leading providers of IoT-based products and services. With this second participation within a short time, we are forging important alliances in order to make the best possible use of this future technology for us and to develop smart solutions for our customers", emphasizes Alexander Lehmann, Managing Director of the Minol-ZENNER Group. "We got to know each other during a municipal IoT project. This resulted in a willingness on both sides to engage in long-term intensive cooperation. We are very pleased that we have now laid the foundation for this," says SmartMakers Managing Director Robert Koning.
SmartMakers was founded in 2016. The Karlsruhe-based company builds individual IoT networks for public utilities, cities and energy suppliers and offers the software platform for professional data management as well as suitable applications. SmartMakers, like Minol-ZENNER and TrackNet, relies on the wireless LPWAN network ("Low Power Wide Area Network") and the open transmission standard LoRa ("Long Range"). The special advantage of this technology is the fast and energy-saving remote reading of sensors and measuring devices over long distances. The transmission standard is thus optimally tailored to the requirements of cities, public utilities, energy suppliers and measurement service providers. The existing product and solution portfolios of the partner companies complement each other ideally. Together, Minol-ZENNER and SmartMakers will develop new IoT solutions in the future and expand them with digital products and services. In this way, customers will benefit from the holistic IoT consulting expertise.
The measurement technology manufacturer ZENNER already began adding smart IoT consumption meters to its product portfolio about a year ago. This provides the basis for integration into the Internet of Things. Further modules and solutions are planned, including for smart cities, which will include all the important components such as sensors, gateways and corresponding network control software, right through to specific applications. In future, the sister company Minol will add further IoT-based services to its range of suitable metering and billing services. Together with its partner companies, the group of companies intends to offer all equipment, software and services from a single source.
Minol-ZENNER and SmartMakers will present themselves together at the E-world energy & water 2017 trade fair in Essen: Stand 6-518 in Hall 6.
