Everything You Need to Know About Managed IoT Services (FAQs)
What Are Managed IoT Services?
Managed IoT (Internet of Things) services provide organizations with end-to-end solutions for the design, implementation, and ongoing management of their Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure. These solutions help businesses to connect, manage, and secure their IoT devices and data effectively. Services can range from the provision of IoT connectivity and device management to data analytics and application development, enabling businesses to fully utilize the potential of IoT. These services are typically offered by third party providers that specialize in IoT technologies and infrastructure, which allows organizations to leverage the benefits of IoT, without the complexities of having to manage those ecosystems themselves.
Managed IoT services support organizations in accelerating their IoT initiatives, reducing overall complexity, and mitigating the risks associated with deploying and managing IoT infrastructure. Outsourcing IoT management to specialized providers means that organizations can place their focus on carrying out their core business activities, while still enjoying the benefits of IoT technology which drives efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness.
More specific benefits of utilizing Managed IoT services include:
- Reduced Complexity: Managed IoT services handle the complexity of managing and coordinating a multitude of connected devices, freeing up internal IT staff to focus on other tasks
- Increased Efficiency: They enable efficient use and analysis of the vast data generated by IoT devices, facilitating improved decision-making
- Enhanced Security: IoT MSPs deliver expertise in ensuring the security of IoT devices and data from potential cyber threat
- Cost-Savings: By leveraging a managed IoT service, organizations avoid the cost of setting up and maintaining an in-house IoT infrastructure
- Rapid Deployment: Managed IoT services enable faster deployment of IoT devices and networks, accelerating the return on IoT investments
- Scalability: They offer the ability to easily scale up or down the IoT network based on business needs
How Do Managed IoT Services Work?
Managed IoT services work to provide secure connectivity between the IoT devices and cloud platforms. This is achieved through a variety of features including data analytics, device management, and remote monitoring. These services are used by large enterprises and SMBs, helping them to streamline the process of procuring, connecting, configuring, and deploying devices across the globe. Managed IoT service providers give businesses a better way to manage their risks, reduce their costs, and improve time to market.
Managed IoT services operate over the lifecycle of an IoT project. It begins with consultation and conceptualization, where the service providers understand the specific business needs and propose an appropriate IoT solution. This is followed by IoT device deployment, connectivity provision, and platform registration. Post-deployment, the IoT Managed Service Provider (MSP) performs regular monitoring, management of the devices, updates, or patches, and ensures the security of the IoT ecosystem. Alongside this, they also provide analytics and insights to drive business outcomes.
For businesses, managed IoT services mean reduced complexity, better cost and resource efficiency, and the freedom to focus on innovation and strategy. A properly managed IoT service can offer real-time decision-making, improved operational efficiency, reduced operational costs, and better customer service.
What Features Should You Look For in Managed IoT Services?
When choosing a managed IoT service, you should consider the following features:
- Connectivity Options: This refers to the various technologies and protocols used to enable communication between IoT devices and backups systems. Managed IoT service providers will typically offer a range of connectivity options for different use cases, environments, and requirements.
- Security: Advanced security measures are vital for ensuring that IoT deployments are safeguarded against ever evolving cyber threats, thereby bolstering trustworthiness and reliability. This security may involve a variety of technologies, protocols, and best practices that work together to ensure the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the IoT infrastructure.
- Device Management: This refers to the process of overseeing and maintaining IoT devices that are deployed within the organization’s infrastructure, including tasks like provisioning, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting IoT devices throughout their lifecycle. Easy and efficient device management capabilities, including the ability to remotely control and monitor IoT devices, are useful for streamlining management and maintenance of IoT devices and allowing the organization to focus more on leveraging the technology to drive innovation.
- Data Analytics: The service should be able to analyze data from your IoT devices to provide actionable insights and drive business decisions.Data analytics in managed IoT services support organizations in making more informed decisions, optimizing their processes, boosting operational efficiency, and driving innovation. They do this by enabling organizations to leverage data insights to gains competitive edge and improve the customer experience.
- Remote Monitoring: This capability involves the monitoring and managing IoT devices, infrastructure, and networks from a centralized location, generally through a cloud-based platform. Managed IoT service providers use remote monitoring tools to track performance, health, and the status of IoT devices continually and in real-time. This includes monitoring device connectivity, sensor readings, transmission rates, and operational status.
- Integration: The capability to easily integrate with your existing IT infrastructure and systems is essential for seamless data exchange, automation, and orchestration of processes across various components of the IoT ecosystem.
