More than a quarter of MSPs expect the Internet of Things (IoT) including multiple devices, wearables and cloud-based services in general to generate more money for them than any of the other current big IT trends, according to a new survey from AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG).
The study, which interviewed 1,770 small businesses and MSPs in the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia, revealed more than half (55 percent) of MSP respondents say customers are demanding IoT-related services and more than three quarters (77 percent) are planning to expand their service/product portfolio.
However 68 percent of SMBs questioned feel that their provider could improve their service regarding IoT, while 70 percent of MSPs themselves admitted they needed to adapt their services to meet customer expectations.
“The study shows clearly that as businesses grow to rely more and more on the Internet of Things and cloud-based services to help generate revenue most MSPs are still some way short of being ready to help customers’ manage this,” comments Mike Foreman, AVG’s general manager, SMB.
“The research strongly indicates that MSPs need to significantly up their game and demonstrate enhanced levels of protection and control over their customers’ ever changing data and device needs.”
Around three fifths (62 percent) of SMB respondents report that their organisation has budget specifically assigned over the next 12 months for the development of IoT solutions.
