Microsoft acquires Internet of Things platform Solair

Software giant Microsoft has announced the acquisition of Solair, an Italy-based

Internet of Things

company.

Solair

offers

IoT

services across industries, including manufacturing, retail, food & beverage and transportation.

In a blog post Microsoft's Sam George, partner director,

Azure

IoT, said, "Solair shares our ambition for helping customers harness their untapped data and create new intelligence with IoT, and this acquisition supports our strategy to deliver the most complete IoT offering for enterprises. We’re excited about their technology and talent – and delighted to welcome them to the Microsoft team."



Microsoft did not disclose financial details of the deal.

The five-year-old company already uses Microsoft's Azure

cloud computing

platform for its services. In Japan, Solair is said to be using its IoT platform to change the way factories monitor production lines. The company's Smart Factory Advisor application has helped manufacturers increase production capacity and optimize energy efficiency.


Solair is also said to have helped Rancilio Group to remotely monitor its espresso machines resulting in greater efficiency across the supply chain. The IoT company is said to have helped Italian manufacturer reduce costs and increase revenue.



The Internet of Things market is said to have a a total potential economic impact of $3.9 trillion to $11.1 trillion a year by 2025, with business-to-business applications capturing nearly 70 percent of the value.