Originally published July 2019. Source: menafn.com / APO Group on behalf of Eseye.
AWS Cape Town Summit Spotlights Cellular IoT Innovation
The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cape Town Summit, held on 11 July 2019 at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, brought together cloud and IoT practitioners to explore how modern connectivity and hyperscale cloud services are reshaping business. Among the featured speakers were global IoT cellular connectivity specialist Eseye, mobile network operator MTN, and pay-as-you-go solar energy company SolarNow.
The three organisations presented as part of the summit’s Modernizing Your Business stream, sharing a real-world case study on how cellular IoT devices can be deployed onto AWS more quickly and with less operational complexity than traditional models.
What Was Demonstrated on Stage
Eseye co-founder Paul Marshall and SolarNow Product Development Manager Herman Dijkslag took the stage together to show how advanced cellular connectivity is disrupting conventional IoT deployment approaches. The demonstration centred on Eseye’s AnyNet Secure SIM for AWS — a single global SIM designed to connect IoT devices directly to AWS IoT services without requiring per-country SIM management or complex carrier agreements.
Jeremy Potgieter, Eseye’s Regional Head for SADC, framed the business value clearly:
“If you are considering an IoT project this is your opportunity to see a real-life example of Eseye’s single global AnyNet Secure SIM for AWS in action. And how, with SolarNow, IoT is becoming easier and driving better insights into customer device usage, prolonging device lifecycle and improving business performance.”
Jeremy Potgieter, Regional Head: SADC, Eseye
AnyNet IRIS: A New Gateway App for AWS IoT
During the SolarNow session, Paul Marshall launched AnyNet IRIS, Eseye’s new gateway application for AWS services, scheduled to go live on 1 August 2019. AnyNet IRIS is an administration tool built to improve the user experience of the AnyNet Secure for AWS IoT global cellular solution.
Eseye Marketing Director David Thompson described what the app changes in practice:
“AnyNet IRIS transforms the way our AWS Marketplace integration installs, from a run-once script to a clear graphical interface that enables customers to select the features they want and to add services as they are needed or become available. AnyNet IRIS also provides a new level of user experience with a view of connectivity performance without having to write a line of code.”
David Thompson, Marketing Director, Eseye
Key Features of AnyNet IRIS (Version 1)
- Simplified launch process — replaces a manual run-once installation script with a graphical setup wizard available directly in AWS Marketplace.
- Action audit log — provides enhanced visibility across the entire IoT device estate.
- Customer app update notifications — alerts users when new features or services become available.
- No-code connectivity monitoring — surfaces connectivity performance data without requiring custom code.
Version 1 of AnyNet IRIS was the initial release, with a version 2 containing additional features planned for later in 2019.
MTN and Eseye: The AnyNet Federation Partnership
The AWS Cape Town Summit appearance built on a joint IoT announcement made by MTN and Eseye at Mobile World Congress earlier in 2019. Both organisations aligned under the AnyNet Federation framework to support the growth of cellular services connected to AWS Cloud — with a particular focus on African regional deployments.
Potgieter noted the significance of the regional partnership:
“We are partnering with MTN and look forward to collaborating at the Summit and offering advice to customers who want to learn how to deliver African regional and global IoT deployments onto AWS cloud services.”
Jeremy Potgieter, Regional Head: SADC, Eseye
IoT Developer Kits and Summit Logistics
To coincide with the event, Eseye made a limited number of cellular IoT developer kits (valued at $130 USD each) available for application by attendees. These kits were intended to help developers experiment with cellular IoT technology ahead of planned projects.
- Eseye presented as part of the Modernizing Your Business stream at 16:45 in Room 2.4 – 2.
- Eseye’s exhibition stand was located at #G7.
- Attendees were encouraged to read the SolarNow case study in advance of the session.
- Pre-registration for AnyNet IRIS was available ahead of the 1 August launch.
About the Companies
Eseye
Eseye is a global provider of managed IoT cellular services, working exclusively with organisations deploying IoT devices at scale. At the time of publication, Eseye held AWS Advanced Technology Partner status for IoT, had won the 2017 Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership Award, was a joint winner of the 2018 GSMA GLOMO Award for Outstanding Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals, appeared in Gartner Magic Quadrants for M2M (2016, 2017, 2018), and held ISO 27001 accreditation.
MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging-market mobile operator. At the time of the summit, MTN connected more than 200 million subscribers across 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East, and was listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa (share code: MTN). MTN’s strategy at the time emphasised growth in data, financial services and digital businesses.
SolarNow
SolarNow is a pay-as-you-go solar energy provider operating in sub-Saharan Africa. The company used Eseye’s AnyNet Secure SIM to gain IoT connectivity insights into customer device usage — helping prolong device lifecycle and improve service delivery.
This article is based on a press release distributed by APO Group on behalf of Eseye, originally published July 2019.