OptConnect acquires DPL Wireless, expands AI-powered IoT connectivity

OptConnect has acquired Canadian-based DPL Wireless in a move to expand its managed Internet of Things connectivity platform and broaden its use of artificial intelligence for device intelligence. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Our decision to bring together OptConnect and DPL ultimately means we can do more for customers than either of us could do alone,” said Chris Baird, CEO of OptConnect, in a release. “By combining DPL’s sophisticated AI insights and autonomous actions with OptConnect’s global IoT managed connectivity, we aim to strengthen reliability, expand innovation, and deliver a more complete solution for our customers who depend on us for the highest uptime possible.”

OptConnect, a managed wireless services provider active in unattended retail, supplies turnkey cellular connectivity, hardware and monitoring for unattended devices such as vending machines, ATMs, kiosks and other internet-of-things equipment. DLP Wireless manufactures cellular connectivity hardware and device-intelligence software focused on securing, monitoring and managing ATMs and other remote IOT assets.

The integration will bring together OptConnect’s ConnectIQ and DPL’s Hercules artificial intelligence platforms, with the goal of increasing intelligence across connected devices while adding infrastructure to support the Hercules artificial intelligence roadmap. In a statement, the companies said the combined organization will benefit from greater product development capabilities, deeper inventory and scaled logistics.

“This partnership gives us the scale and resources to accelerate the work we’ve been doing for years,” said Marc Albert, managing director of DPL. “OptConnect’s culture and commitment to customers align closely with ours, and together we’re creating a stronger foundation for continued growth, smarter technology, and an even better experience for ATM deployers and IoT partners.”

The DPL acquisition follows OptConnect’s purchases of Premier Wireless Solutions, M2M DataGlobal and Capestone. DPL will continue to operate as “DPL Wireless, a division of OptConnect” from its headquarters in Moncton, N.B. Albert will remain with the business as managing director of the DPL business unit.