Digi Enters Satellite M2M Market with Indian Acquisition

Digi International has announced the purchase of substantially all the assets of the US, Indian and Singapore affiliates of MobiApps Holdings, a developer of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications technology, focusing on satellite, cellular, and hybrid satellite/cellular solutions. MobiApps employs 63 people with the vast majority based in its India headquarters in Bangalore. The asset purchase positions Digi with satellite products and technologies that complement its wireless M2M strategy, said the company.

"Our wireless M2M customers are increasingly asking for satellite as a communications option to complete their coverage model," said Joe Dunsmore, chairman, president, and CEO of Digi. "We're looking forward to moving MobiApps products into Digi's strong global sales and distribution network. We believe satellite M2M will be a high growth opportunity for the foreseeable future."

MobiApps recently introduced a new generation of products based on its own custom designed and patented mixed signal application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which reduces the complexity and improves performance of satellite M2M system solutions. Satellite M2M applicationss nclude fleet management, marine vessel tracking, container tracking, agricultural monitoring, energy management, and remote field service applications.

Satellite is especially suited to applications that cross country and continental boundaries, providing connectivity in very remote locations, and providing mission critical wireless backup solutions when cellular coverage is insufficient. MobiApps also has cellular and hybrid cellular/satellite products packaged with various asset tracking management services, including employee tracking, focused on markets in India and Southeast Asia.

"MobiApps is known for its leading edge satellite technology products and solutions built around its patented mixed-signal ASIC. With the resources, scale and market presence of Digi now underpinning MobiApps' technology expertise, it will be in a position to take greater advantage of the growth opportunities that M2M markets offer around the world," said Taroon Kamdar, CEO, MobiApps.