What if real-time insights help manufacturers connect with customers and products? DATOMS, a deeptech IoT startup, precisely delivers that. Sharing vehicle integration and EV expansion plans, CEO Amiya Samantaray speaks to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey.
Q. What does the name ‘DATOMS’ signify?
A. DATOMS’ name is derived from two words: ‘D’ for data and ‘atoms.’ An atom is the fundamental building block of the universe, and data is poised to become a foundational element as our civilisation advances. Data is the glue that links various data points or footprints generated by different machines. This is why the name DATOMS was chosen.
Q. What does DATOMS do?
A. DATOMS focuses on helping various manufacturers transition in their digital transformation journey as a one-stop solution. For example, suppose you manufacture refrigerators and want a smart app for consumers to access cooling information. In that case, DATOMS provides a platform to launch such products without needing an in-house IoT (Internet of Things) team.
Started in 2021, DATOMS was conceived to support manufacturers during COVID-19 by improving services and warranty verification processes through data accessibility. Initially, we focused on the power sector, targeting generators and compressors, and later expanded to solar, UPS (uninterruptible power supply), inverters, electric vehicles (EVs), and automotive. With deployments across different sites, DATOMS provides real-time information for manufacturers to better understand their customers and products. Likwe, an e-bike purchased from Ola comes with a connected app, benefiting consumers. We also offer software components for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to build connected products.
Q. How does DATOMS’ product suite drive digital transformation in manufacturing?
A. Our product consists of three key components. First, the hardware device offers various connectivity options like 4G LTE, NB IoT, or Wi-Fi. This device is installed inside machines and sends data to the cloud via a SIM card, facilitating data capture. Second, we have the cloud platform, an IoT software that analyses the data received from the devices. It gives end customers a dashboard view or UC Analytics for the captured data. The third component is the business access layer dedicated to OEMs and leasing companies, which helps them to manage customers, service results, and leasing.
Q. What factors determine the subscription cost for DATOMS’ services?
A. We charge a one-time fee for the hardware and a yearly subscription fee per machine for the software. The subscription cost varies from ₹100 to ₹2000, depending on the machine type and volume. For customers with over 10,000 or 1000 machines, monthly plans are available. Otherwise, annual plans are offered.
Q. How does DATOMS support EV OEMs and leasing companies?
A. DATOMS provides hardware for EVs to connect seamlessly to its platform, enabling OEMs to offer smart, connected products. Through a unified interface, they can monitor battery health, manage services across their fleet, and customise software features to address range anxiety by offering real-time visibility into travel distance per charge.
The platform supports bulk firmware updates based on customer usage data, allowing for continuous optimisation and the rollout of new features. DATOMS also offers a white-label connected leasing platform, tapping into the growing trend of leasing EVs before purchase. This solution provides backend support for data access, remote vehicle control (lock/unlock), and dynamic billing based on usage.
We aim to accelerate EV adoption by supporting OEMs and leasing companies, with plans to onboard charging stations and battery/power backup system OEMs. Within the next six months, the platform will integrate services for all key stakeholders, including charging station owners, and more, creating a fully connected EV ecosystem.
Q. How does DATOMS integrate vehicle and charging station solutions?
A. We focus on vehicle integration and will gradually add charging stations to our platform. The integration depends on OEMs as they decide what to offer customers. We do not sell solutions directly to end customers, so they will not log into a DATOMS portal for charging information. We work with manufacturers who may choose to integrate charging infrastructure into their mobile apps for customers.
Q. How does DATOMS empower leasing for smaller businesses?
A. DATOMS supports micro-entrepreneurs and midsize companies lacking leasing technology. By democratising this tech, we empower more players to offer services in various cities, preventing monopolies.
Q. How does DATOMS enable companies to offer leasing solutions?
A. Initial discussions involve monitoring of parameters like the battery management system (BMS) and vehicle parameters. If the company already has hardware or a BMS, DATOMS provides software solutions, as its platform is hardware-agnostic. This flexibility allows companies to broadcast data to DATOMS’ platform and offer leasing solutions or sell bikes through the platform. For startups developing EVs without telematics hardware, DATOMS can provide the necessary hardware. This approach eliminates the need for companies to invest in both hardware and software development, enabling them to bring products to market faster and with more control over features.
Q. How do DATOMS help OEMs increase revenue and reduce costs?
A. Launching a product in the market without proper software or hardware becomes challenging due to compliance guidelines and consumer demands. Onboarding DATOMS provides more choices for better consumer features, operational control, and product feedback for improvements. This helps increase revenue by offering premium products. We also assist OEMs in reducing costs by minimising physical and human dependencies for maintenance services. Additionally, we provide options for dynamically improving features, such as leasing and various subscription models, to cater to different consumer needs.
Q. Do you source components domestically or internationally for manufacturing?
A. We are heavily reliant on India. The product is designed, its printed circuit board (PCB) and core board are manufactured, and the final assembly is conducted in India. However, we rely on China for some components, along with Taiwan. Certain manufacturers require sourcing from original providers. Despite this dependency, precautions were taken in vendor selection for global presence and future Indian manufacturing. It is unequivocally a 100 per cent made-in-India product, although some of the supply chain relies on China.
Q. What major challenges have you encountered so far?
A. Understanding brand or OEM objectives is crucial. Customising solutions or creating generic products is necessary to align with their aspirations. The platform must support different OEMs and scale effectively. Dealing with billions of daily data points requires careful consideration, posing scalability challenges for software and hardware. Hardware stability before market launch is critical, as there is no control once it is dispatched. Addressing issues early and learning from customers is vital for improvement.
Q. How do you manage data and architecture apart?
A. Our data management relies on dedicated databases, particularly time series databases, for efficiency. Our core architecture differs significantly from standard IoT platforms. Recent closures of Google’s IoT Core and Azure’s IoT Core highlight the importance of selecting open-source architecture and databases for scalability. We have adopted this approach while prioritising security, ensuring SOC 2 compliance for our software. Additionally, we are pursuing various IoT security certifications for the device layer.
Q. How is data security ensured in transit?
A. Data security involves different layers. Data in motion refers to transmitting data from vehicles or machines to the cloud, while data at rest means storing data, either in the machine or the cloud, as static data. We take precautions to secure data in both cases, using end-to-end encryption throughout its journey.
