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IoT Glossary

What is an eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM)?

At the heart of SGP.32 lies the eIM - the system that makes remote SIM provisioning possible for IoT. Acting as the central management function, it brings automation, scale and security to global device fleets. But what exactly does it do? 

How eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM) fits into SGP.32 eSIM

The eIM (eSIM IoT Remote Manager) implements the orchestration actions required by the GSMA’s SGP.32 eSIM specification for IoT. It manages the entire lifecycle of eSIM profiles - downloading, enabling, disabling or deleting them - across fleets of IoT devices, without the need for physical SIM swaps or user intervention.  

Inside remote SIM provisioning (RSP)

Introduced with SGP.32, the eIM is the function which manages the orchestration actions required by remote SIM provisioning (RSP) for IoT. It manages the two other standard components: 

  • IPA (IoT Profile Assistant): An optional device-side helper
  • SM-DP+: The secure backend system that stores and delivers eSIM profiles. 

Together, these components make global IoT deployments easier, more secure and far more scalable than older standards. 

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Importance of eSIM IoT Remote Managers

  • Purpose-built for IoT: Unlike earlier eSIM standards (SGP.02 and SGP.22), eIM addresses the needs of low-power, headless and large-scale IoT devices
  • Separation of roles: Orchestration (eIM) is separated from storage (SM-DP+) and device interaction (IPA), reducing lock-in and improving flexibility
  • Scalable control: Manages provisioning across millions of devices globally from a single point of control
  • Modern and efficient: Uses IP-based protocols (CoAP, DTLS) rather than SMS, making it more reliable and efficient for constrained IoT environments. 

How eSIM IoT Remote Manager (eIM) works

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The eIM manages the orchestration actions and communication between: 

  • The SM-DP+, which securely stores and delivers eSIM profiles
  • The IPA, which (if present on the device) simplifies the interaction between the device and its embedded SIM (eUICC). 

This architecture allows: 

  • Remote profile downloads and updates
  • Automated carrier switching at scale
  • Secure lifecycle management for IoT devices. 

Supporting components in SGP.32

IPA (IoT Profile Assistant) 

  • Device-side agent that helps the eIM communicate with the eUICC

  • Optional - useful for constrained or intermittently connected devices

  • Provides push/pull models for profile downloads and updates.

 SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager – Data Preparation +) 

  • Secure backend system that stores, encrypts, and delivers eSIM profiles

  • Works under the control of the eIM

  • Ensures safe, compliant profile management across networks and geographies. 

Do you need to invest in these components?

For the vast majority of OEMs and solution providers, the answer is no. 

  • Building and certifying an eIM, IPA, or SM-DP+ is highly complex and costly
  • Instead, IoT service providers deliver the entire SGP.32 infrastructure as a managed service
  • The best providers also supply access to a broad catalogue of carrier eSIM profiles, ensuring flexibility and global coverage without additional investment
  • If you have your own SGP.32 eSIM profiles and operator agreements you can explore an eIM-as-a-Service (eIM-aaS) model with IoT service providers. Leveraging the service provider RSP infrastructure will reduce your costs, risks and time-to-market.  
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Simplify eSIM management with eSO

The eIM is the management function which makes SGP.32 practical for IoT. By working with the IPA and SM-DP+, it enables secure, scalable and flexible remote SIM provisioning across global fleets of devices. The eIM itself will most commonly operate under the control of a higher layer management function, commonly referred to as eSO (eSIM Orchestrator).

But for most businesses, the important takeaway is this: you don’t need to build or manage these components yourself. An experienced IoT service provider will handle the full infrastructure and provide access to a wide range of carrier eSIM profiles - so you can focus on deploying and scaling your IoT solutions. 

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