The channel and the IoT - what does the future hold?

As 2020 fast approaches, we will start to see whether predictions made by Gartner that the Internet of Things (IoT) will generate incremental revenue of $300 billion in IoT products and services by then are set to be realised.

Needless to say, if the IoT does go down the path it's expected to follow, the potential for the channel is huge. But how can that actually be translated into day-to-day opportunities? What should solution providers be doing to harness those opportunities? And what are some of the potential risks the IoT might bring channel players?

There is also the significant question of security when it comes to the IoT. We have yet to establish a set of standards where the IoT is concerned, which poses a tricky route for channel partners looking to embrace the technology. Meanwhile, the changing nature of consumption models means that data is being shared at such a greater level than ever before. The IoT magnifies this, meaning solution providers will have to think about the role they play in securing client data when engaging in IoT business offerings.

Aside from security, partners will need to understand how they can get customers on board when it comes to the IoT. Not only this, but once you have your customers on board, they may well expect you to guide them through how they can utilise the IoT in their own business - they will expect you to guide them through the risks, opportunities and ways in which the IoT will enhance their business.

And, of course, as a solution provider looking to incorporate the IoT into your business offerings, you may well need to make some investments. But once you do, you may just find opportunities to expand your business in ways you hadn't before thought of. For example, the IoT may bring the opportunity to extend beyond your current practice or vertical by adding IoT solutions and accessing new wallet share and line-of-business buyers.

To help you learn more about all of these crucial IoT points, CPI has produced this roundtable webinar, entitled What does the Iot really mean for the channel?, in association with Cisco. We have three IoT experts to talk you through everything you need to know about the IoT and what it means for the channel.

Join Andres Sintes, global senior director of IoT partner sales at Cisco, Ted Alben, practice manager for the IoT for the Americas at Dimension Data, and Matt Tyler, director of IoT at Wachter, as they discuss the opportunities to be found in the IoT.

And don't forget to also check out our special report detailing exactly what the IoT is and what it means for the channel as we head to 2020 and beyond.

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