Channel can benefit from wearables trend
James Kershaw looks beyond the hype around Google Glass and Apple Watch to assess the real opportunity
From Google Glass to Apple Watch and now the Microsoft Band fitness smartwatch, wearable technologies are disrupting the tech space. Industry watchers suggest that wearables could soon move from being novelty gadgets to serious business enablers.
While the market is still in its infancy, forward-thinking channel organisations will play a central role in helping wearable technologies become mainstream. Not many of us even have a smartwatch yet, but I believe it is only a matter of time before wearables will be as integral to our everyday lives as the smartphone.
No one yet knows how much these devices will affect the enterprise, but the opportunities to harness wearable technologies for productivity gains and operational efficiencies are clear. So what are the business opportunities for the channel from the rise of wearables?
Industry giants including Microsoft, LG, Sony, Apple, Google and Samsung have all either released or are set to release some form of wearable technology.
While a lot of attention has focused on consumers, wearable applications also have a lot to offer businesses. They can help employees work from locations outside the office or manage equipment remotely. Data and documents could potentially be accessed via smartwatches or other wearable devices.
Industries most likely to benefit include insurance, property development and construction, retail, health, manufacturing and logistics. It will be particularly useful for those who need both hands to carry out complicated procedures, such as equipment assemblers or even surgeons.
Wearables have been predicted to revolutionise and speed up how companies interact with customers and employees.
When supported via cloud, businesses may tap into enterprise-class wearable applications without further capex on equipment - except of course for the wearable devices themselves.
As with cloud, it is expected that businesses' initial resistance to wearables will give way to acceptance and widespread adoption, as companies realise that anyone who needs instant access to data and collaborative communication can benefit from business-enabled wearables.
Similarly, some channel companies may not be quick enough to respond to the new business opportunity.
Some channel players have been cautious in the introduction of new cloud services, and as a result are seeing customers flock to their cloud-ready competitors instead. Wearable technology is their chance to get back in the game.
The best prepared channel partners will respond to the advent of wearables quickly and efficiently, adding to their own resources and thinking about suitable partnerships.
Wearables also offer the channel a chance to deepen existing client relationships. Issues such as data security, device and application compatibility can be daunting for businesses. Trusted advisers will be required, and appreciated.
Channel companies can answer this demand in part by prioritising automation and offering services that are easy to manage, meet daily operational requirements and create a platform for continuous IT.
James Kershaw is sales director at Colt