Minol-Zenner Group invests in SmartMakers

February 2017 – The Minol-ZENNER Group has invested in SmartMakers GmbH. The young Karlsruhe-based company specializes in consulting, developing, and implementing network and application solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT). This expands the Minol-ZENNER Group's strategic partnerships in the IoT sector. Just in January, the measuring device manufacturer and energy service provider invested in the Swiss start-up TrackNet, which also develops IoT-based solutions. "We have a clear goal to become one of the leading providers of IoT-based products and services. With the second investment in a short period, we are forging important alliances to best utilize future technology and 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 led to a mutual desire for long-term intensive collaboration. 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 customized IoT networks for municipal utilities, cities, and energy suppliers and offers the software platform for professional data management and 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 particular advantage of this technology lies in the fast and energy-efficient remote reading of sensors and measuring devices over long distances. The transmission standard is thus optimally tailored to the requirements of cities, municipal utilities, energy suppliers, and metering 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 and expand them with digital products and services. This way, customers benefit from comprehensive IoT consulting expertise. The measurement technology manufacturer ZENNER began about a year ago to expand its product portfolio with smart IoT consumption meters. This ensures the foundation for integration into the Internet of Things. Further components and solutions are planned, including for Smart Cities, which include all important components such as sensors, Gateways, and corresponding network control software up to specific applications. The sister company Minol will expand its range of suitable metering and billing services with additional IoT-based services. Together with partner companies, the corporate group aims to offer all devices, software, and services from a single source. Minol-ZENNER and SmartMakers will jointly present at the E-world energy & water 2017 trade fair in Essen: Stand 6-518 in Hall 6.