Famoco Connect¶
With its softSIM solution, Famoco Connect allows you to seamlessly connect your devices in the field to a network, without being burdened by the logistics of SIM cards.
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Managing SIM cards when deploying large fleets of devices is frustrating. Famoco helps you with that.
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Coverage spans 100+ countries and 300 mobile networks.
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Monitor data consumption usage within the MDM platform.
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Activate devices remotely through the MDM platform.
What are the benefits to using this service?¶
No more SIM Management¶
Famoco Connect is a cardless solution, which means that with it you don't require a SIM card to access 2G/3G/4G networks.
Physical SIM cards have a cost, both direct and indirect. In addition to the price of buying the actual cards in bulk, SIM cards:
- can be stolen, and thus need to be replaced, causing additional costs;
- require manual setup, which based on the size of your operational deployments might involve quite a few people to work on it;
- often carry extra roaming costs.
Famoco Connect addresses all these issues by taking SIM cards out of the picture.
By removing the reliance on SIM cards you can also boost the impact of your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Actions, as these generate a sizeable amount of plastic waste every year.
Multi-network capabilities¶
If more than one network is available in the country the device is on, under Famoco Connect's network coverage plan, you will seamlessly shift from one network to the other if the network you were using is out of reach, improving the connectivity of your devices.
Monitor Usage¶
Please check the following MDM documentation page for more information about how the MDM can be used to track Famoco Connect data consumption.
If you do not wish to subscribe to Famoco Connect, but are still interested in monitoring data consumption on your devices, our Insights Paid MDM Add-On feature contains graphs pertaining to that data.
Deploy Solution (Coming Soon)¶
With Famoco Connect, no need to wait for a SIM card shipment or to contact a network operator and wait for activation.
Everything happens through the MDM, allowing you to select which devices need connectivity, under which plan.
How can I subscribe to this service?¶
Please contact your Sales representative for more information about our various possible packages and a quote.
FAQ¶
Sales process¶
You provide several data bundles. Do I have to choose only one or can I choose several and use them according to my needs?
You can have as many data bundles (subscription plans) as you wish. You can order them through your sales representative, and then the plans become available in the MDM. Each plan contains the following information: per device quota or pooled quota, geographical zone of operation, number of devices and amount of data per device.
Which devices can use Famoco Connect?
Devices must be running Android 8 or above, and require a recent Famoco OS version (exact version varies per model of Famoco device, please contact the Support team if you have any questions).
Can I have devices with Famoco Connect and others without in the same MDM Organization?
Yes.
To how many networks do I have access to? Can I block to a specific network?
Famoco commits to have at least 1 mainstream network available in 100+ countries. Operators can change without notice to provide a better user experience. As a consequence, it is not possible to block to a specific network.
Is there a minimum subscription period?
Minimum subscription is 1 month. Each started month is due. You may can stop/reduce the amount of licenses, currently through the support team, soon trough the billing portal.
Activation¶
What is the process to activate licenses on my devices?
As of right now, the allocation of devices to the plan still goes through the Famoco Support team, you can provide them with the list of Famoco IDs and the plan you wish to associate them with, and they will do the allocation. In a future release, you will be able to allocate your devices to the plans inside the MDM through a dedicated UI.
How long does it take to take my activation request into account?
Once the sales order is accepted, it typically takes a few working days (<5) to be activated.
How am I warned that the activation process is completed?
You will receive a message from either the Famoco Support team or your sales representative.
How can I check whether the service has been correctly activated?
You can check it by deactivating wifi locally on the device and removing all SIM cards from it: you will still have mobile connectivity.
Will my existing SIM card work for voice calls and SMSes if I use Famoco Connect?
Famoco Connect plugs itself on the first SIM slot of the device, which means that a SIM card inserted in this slot will not be usable. However, if the SIM card is inserted on the second slot of the device, it will be able to start voice calls and send SMSes.
Deactivation/Suspension/Change¶
How can I deactivate licenses and how long does it take?
Any started billing period (by default, 1 month) is due, so you can only deactivate license for the next billing period. You will have to contact the Famoco Support team or your sales representative to list which devices you plan to deactivate the feature for. It usually takes less than 5 working days. You will receive a message from Famoco upon successful deactivation. By removing wifi and any SIM card you can check that the network is no longer available.
Is it possible to temporarily suspend a license without redoing the whole activation process?
No, it is currently not possible.
Can I change data bundles during the period ?
You can increase the volume of data by simply asking your sales representative for a quote. However, decrease is possible only after the end of the period.
What happens if I consume all data contained in my bundle?
The devices won't be able to connect to the Famoco Connect network until you top up or the next billing period starts.
Operations¶
Do I receive alerts linked to connectivity events?
With the Insights MDM add-on, you will be able to configure alerts related to network usage.
Can we block excessive data usage?
If you choose a pooled plan, in order to avoid one single device consuming the entire pool of data, a device will be blocked if it exceeds three times the theoretical quota per device (i.e. total pool divided per number of devices). If the totality of the data pool is consumed however, all devices are blocked. This 3x limit will configurable in the future.
If you choose a per device plan, the blocking is applied as soon as the device reaches its dedicated quota.
What happens if one of my devices is stolen or lost?
First, you can lock the device with the MDM. Then, you can contact support to remove the connectivity from the device. As of MDM version 3.5, this will be possible from the interface.
What happens if I loose connectivity?
If you have persistent loss of connectivity, please contact the Famoco Support team for investigation.
What happens if my device is reset to factory settings?
You should contact the Famoco Support team to re-provision the device.
What happens if one device is put in RMA and replaced?
The Famoco Support team will de-provision the device in RMA and provision the new one.
What if the device changes countries?
Famoco connect allows free roaming in all the countries listed in the offer by zone (1 zone for Africa, Europe etc). It will be totally seamless for the device within these zones.
Billing¶
If I make several activation requests, am I receiving bills once a month or as many bills as requests?
You will receive one consolidated bill for all your requests.
How can I check that there is no mistake? Can I get the detail per device?
You will not get the detail per device on the bill, however you can get it through the MDM.