K
Kathleen Martin
Guest
The market for drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is growing—including commercial opportunities for MSPs and solution providers to integrate the technology into their current offerings. Drones are a great topic to start a conversation with customers, many of whom may not even be aware how they can be used to solve their current business problems.
But many MSPs are in the same boat—they don’t realize how drones can be used in the field. Now’s the time to learn how UAV can make businesses more productive, efficient, and profitable, according to Adam Gittins, general manager of HTS Ag and a member of CompTIA’s Drone Advisory Council.
“Most of the time, customers are aware of one or two things they can do with the drone and are really excited about it, but after discussing with them, we usually uncover much more than they even knew was possible,” Gittins said. “I think this is much like any other technology sale. A customer might want a computer for email, but then they learn that it can also be used for spreadsheets, PowerPoint, surfing the internet, etc.”
The potential opportunity for MSPs entering the UAV market is significant. The UAV market is expected to reach $58.4 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 16.4%, according to a Markets and Markets report. If they can deliver UAV services successfully, MSPs will generate more revenue and increase their perceived value with customers.
Here are five reasons why MSPs should consider offering UAV services to customers, explained by members of the Drone Advisory Council.
1. Integration with IT Networks, Systems, Security
In some ways, UAVs are similar to other nodes on the network.
“Solution providers such as IT solution providers and MSPs are often experts at handling data and creating and managing systems for the data and information,” said Robert Dahlstrom, CEO of Appelix and member of the Drone Advisory Council. “They should look to drones as just another component on the network. As a node on the network, a drone needs MSP support and an MSP’s expertise to set up systems and the security of those systems for the drone node.”
That said, a drone is not a typical network node, Dahlstrom said. UAVs should be treated slightly differently than other pieces of hardware on a client’s network, for it has some unique needs.
“First, it is mobile and travels in the real world, often gathering vast quantities of data in the form of video and images,” he said. “Second, the data from the drone may be transmitted while it is flying via mobile phone or other networks or services or it may upload data post-flight. MSPs need to support these needs from these somewhat unique mobile network nodes.”
Continue reading: https://connect.comptia.org/blog/5-reasons-why-msps-should-get-excited-about-drones
But many MSPs are in the same boat—they don’t realize how drones can be used in the field. Now’s the time to learn how UAV can make businesses more productive, efficient, and profitable, according to Adam Gittins, general manager of HTS Ag and a member of CompTIA’s Drone Advisory Council.
“Most of the time, customers are aware of one or two things they can do with the drone and are really excited about it, but after discussing with them, we usually uncover much more than they even knew was possible,” Gittins said. “I think this is much like any other technology sale. A customer might want a computer for email, but then they learn that it can also be used for spreadsheets, PowerPoint, surfing the internet, etc.”
The potential opportunity for MSPs entering the UAV market is significant. The UAV market is expected to reach $58.4 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 16.4%, according to a Markets and Markets report. If they can deliver UAV services successfully, MSPs will generate more revenue and increase their perceived value with customers.
Here are five reasons why MSPs should consider offering UAV services to customers, explained by members of the Drone Advisory Council.
1. Integration with IT Networks, Systems, Security
In some ways, UAVs are similar to other nodes on the network.
“Solution providers such as IT solution providers and MSPs are often experts at handling data and creating and managing systems for the data and information,” said Robert Dahlstrom, CEO of Appelix and member of the Drone Advisory Council. “They should look to drones as just another component on the network. As a node on the network, a drone needs MSP support and an MSP’s expertise to set up systems and the security of those systems for the drone node.”
That said, a drone is not a typical network node, Dahlstrom said. UAVs should be treated slightly differently than other pieces of hardware on a client’s network, for it has some unique needs.
“First, it is mobile and travels in the real world, often gathering vast quantities of data in the form of video and images,” he said. “Second, the data from the drone may be transmitted while it is flying via mobile phone or other networks or services or it may upload data post-flight. MSPs need to support these needs from these somewhat unique mobile network nodes.”
Continue reading: https://connect.comptia.org/blog/5-reasons-why-msps-should-get-excited-about-drones
