Who Is Guarding the Guards Who Guard Your Business?
Written By: Derek Stiles | April 15, 2021
Technology is ever evolving and as a result, so are our dependencies on technology. This constant evolution impacts everything we do as individuals and businesses.
In fact, one of the greatest business drivers today is directly related to the interconnectivity that is digital transformation—the Internet-of-Things (IoT).
Though many may categorize IoT differently, the scope of IoT is as vast as it is deep. From thermostats to smart-home speakers, alarm systems to cameras, and so on, all of these are the usual suspects most people think about. However, that is the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Today, IoT is beginning to represent the lifeblood of mission-critical enterprise infrastructure. Think about the sensors that monitor server health, the heating and cooling systems in server rooms, the supply chain management involved in ensuring items are in stock and shipments are on schedule. Every one of these scenarios can positively or negatively impact business.
With all this interconnectivity keeping businesses alive, it begs the question: who is guarding the guards who guard your business? If IoT is the guard at the gate, you need someone to keep a close eye on IoT devices to ensure nothing goes wrong with system assets.
Who can you trust with all that is resting on those connections, data, and functionality? More importantly, who is tasked with fixing a device when it needs it?
In today’s world technology continually changes, leading to an increase in the dedicated maintenance and support market. Options among IT hardware maintenance providers have become refined and highly specialized to tackle the vast web of interconnected IoT devices.
The two greatest benefits of this are expert, single-source support and the flexibility that comes with IoT-specific maintenance.
In terms of expertise, IT managers can now gain a single point of contact and simplified administration instead of juggling service contracts and warranties from many manufacturers that incorporated IoT into their devices and products.
For example, a vast number of IoT devices deployed, everything from sensors, to controllers, to geo-trackers, means a vast number of IoT manufacturers that would need to be juggled. From heat, to moisture, to battery life, to physical impacts, and so much more, IoT devices are far more susceptible to downtime than even regular IT infrastructure.
As for the flexible support benefit, a true IoT support solution should deliver a consistent experience with integrated offerings created to fit needs and schedule, the ability to choose coverage hours and response times ranging from the next business day to 24×7, and access to a network of experienced technical personnel.
IoT is not only a prominent piece of the entirety of infrastructure, but its ubiquity and influence is growing by the day. IoT is the guard at the gate and the need to support it is critical.