Managed services are different from outsourcing. When you outsource, you deploy work to a company that can provide that service in the most cost-efficient way possible. With managed services, managed service providers (MSPs) delegate the hardest, most-time consuming tasks to their specialists and choose what your in-house workers do. You also know exactly what you’re paying for upfront when you have managed services.
Who needs managed services? Companies that rely on the Internet of Things (IoT) are promising markets for MSPs. IoT refers to the network of smart devices connected to the internet. Everything from thermostats connected to an Internet-enabled phone app to airplanes can be linked to the IoT. Industries that are heavily invested in IoT technology are among those that can benefit the most from specialists offering managed services in Kansas.
Below are four examples of industries that are most likely to thrive with managed services:
IT and Telecom
The most obvious beneficiary of IoT managed services are the IT and telecom industry. Depending on your service-level agreement (SLA), your MSP can go beyond managing network infrastructure and into cloud infrastructure management, advanced application monitoring, and business analytics.
MSPs free up time for telecom companies by managing their remote equipment at cell tower sites and ensuring a reliable link to their devices. Their services will free up time for telcos to create new revenue streams.
Healthcare
Healthcare is a sector expected to grow exponentially from 2018 to 2026. That’s thanks to the increasing number of IoT health devices being recommended to patients yearly. Health applications, health monitoring through IoT devices, hospital information systems, and remote consulting are in the purview of healthcare-related IoT managed services.
Automotive
The automotive sector is no exception to IoT. Automotive companies have an increasing need for MSPs as they keep producing new vehicles that boast IoT features. Examples of these are:
- Preventive maintenance tech that sends messages to your mobile phone or alerts you in-vehicle about potential engine troubles
- Navigation apps that help drivers plan their routes to avoid congested or accident-prone roads
- Apps or tools that make it easier and faster to contact emergency hotlines
Automotive IoT (and by extension managed services) is also essential to commercial fleets. With this technology, MSPs can record and analyze data like performance analysis and fuel consumption per vehicle. They can also access traffic reports and relay the information to the drivers.
Manufacturing and Retail
Smart manufacturing enables companies to meet changing needs in real time, thanks to information provided by operating and information technologies. Smart retail, meanwhile, is about gathering data from customers to finding ways to attract paying customers into stores.
IoT MSPs can help with smart manufacturing and retail in several ways:
- Ensure the security and reliability of networks that handle transactions
- Ensure that an e-commerce company is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
- Future-proof the technology owned by manufacturers and retailers
Drafting the right kind of SLA for your company’s needs is consistent across all industries. Good MSPs will make good use of your investment in their services by tailoring SLA packages to boost your company’s growth. A good SLA will maximize your MSPs skills and bring your company to new heights.
