Edge computing is growing fast as an ideal solution to many business challenges and opportunities in the digital age. Long a buzzword, it has now become a real possibility, as this recent survey data from the Eclipse Foundation suggests. Around 30% of organizations plan to evaluate edge deployments over the next 12 to 24 months. More than half (54%) of respondents either utilize or plan to leverage edge computing technologies within 12 months.1
This should come as no surprise. Not only does the edge offer real-time data access and analysis across distributed environments, but it also minimizes latency and reduces data communication costs. But despite the growing popularity of edge deployments, a 2020 Ponemon Institute survey, Data Center Downtime at the Core and the Edge, found that edge data centers experienced an average of 5.39 shutdowns over 24 months — slightly higher than large data centers.2
Why? Because there’s no one-size-fits-all for purpose-built edge sites — an extension of existing IT operations. The local edge is now the mission-critical micro data center and requires the same resiliency, security and manageability as a traditional data center environment. But often, the critical IT hardware (servers, storage and networking gear) in local edge deployments is housed under extreme conditions and in locations that lack reliable power availability and network connectivity.
This equipment depends upon the physical infrastructure layer — the power, cooling and environmental monitoring solutions (e.g., UPSs, PDUs and environmental sensors), foundational to hybrid IT environments and protects the hardware from power surges, brownouts, or total loss of power. Your physical infrastructure needs to be as future-proofed as possible — without it, edge sites run the risk of potential downtime.
Plus, as organizations grow their edge footprint and move infrastructure from centralized locations to distributed sites, it becomes increasingly challenging for IT admins to monitor and manage these outposts. Another pain point is a lack of standards and guidelines that can impact business operations and quality of services (QoS) for early edge adopters. According to Rob McKernanOpens a new window , Senior Vice President, Americas Region, “To manage the physical infrastructure at these sites, organizations will need a standards-based approach to make them as reliable, available and future-proofed as large data centers.â€
With organizations set to deploy over 50% of their IT infrastructure on edge outposts rather than corporate data centers by 2023, it’s time IT leaders determined the right edge strategy and roadmap to drive optimal business outcomes from strategic edge investments.3 Research firm IDC predicts that more than half (54%) of organizations want to bank on technology service providers for edge solutions while 73% of respondents prefer flexible, managed services with SaaS solutions, underscoring the popularity of consumption-based model.4
So, What’s the Catch
To realize high performance at the edge and ensure 100% uptime, IT decision makers (ITDMs) need to prioritize the underlying infrastructure and figure out the right mix of technology to drive remote manageability, security, redundancy and operational efficiencies. Instead of a test-deploy-refine approach that can further swell operating costs outside the reasonable parameters, ITDMs can overcome blind spots, speed up the pilots and ensure smooth implementations by partnering with a managed service provider (MSP).
The right solution provider can also standardize the deployment and management of edge hubs, provide a single-pane view across multi-vendor IT assets and minimize the costly truck roll that comes with maintenance. This, in turn, lowers the total cost of ownership of edge computing sites substantially.
See More: How a Scalable, Integrated Remote Monitoring Solution Can Supercharge Your Hybrid IT Strategy
A Strong Business Case for MSPs to Bridge the Edge Services Gap
Big opportunities at the edge and a strong preference for managed services present a ready and compelling opportunity for MSPs to build and grow their portfolio with cloud-based remote monitoring and management software. According to Schneider ElectricOpens a new window , “Remote power management delivers serious incremental revenue potential. Managed power services can generate up to 40% of an asset’s initial cost per year.â€
Moreover, not many solution providers are taking advantage of edge-managed services right now. Only 27% of MSPs provide power monitoring, and most only monitor power for online/offline status.
Put simply, if you aren’t among the ranks of solution providers and value added resellers (VARs) making the shift to the edge, you’re missing greater revenue-generating opportunities. Edge and hybrid IT management can also translate into increased hardware sales, longer-term contract agreements, and shorter sales cycle across verticals such as retail, transportation, healthcare and education.
But without the right software and digital services that are scalable and reliable, it will be challenging to maintain self-healing edge networks for businesses. That’s why partnering with energy management and automation experts like Schneider Electric is an important part of the puzzle. Equally important, a vendor-neutral, pay-as-you-go solution such as Ecostruxure IT Expert Opens a new window by Schneider Electric allows MSPs to easily integrate the software with other applications through APIs, simplifying the complexity of heterogeneous infrastructure. The SaaS model also enables them to scale edge deployments and manage multiple hybrid IT sites centrally from any device, anywhere in the world.
Additionally, with Ecostruxure IT Expert by Schneider Electric, the potential for recurring monthly revenue and long-term profitability is real. Here’s how: By using this top-rated RMM software with built-in reporting of third-party devices, solution providers can gain near-constant 24×7 visibility into their clients’ edge networks and predict hardware failures before they occur. This not only helps them create value but also provides the opportunity for proactive hardware refresh recommendations. That, in turn, opens up two additional revenue streams for MSPs — a monthly recurring revenue from RMM and hardware refresh opportunities.
See More: The Secret to Uptime at the Edge: Why IT Pros are Prioritizing Critical Power Management
Seize the Managed Edge Opportunity With EcoStruxureâ„¢ IT Expert
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxureâ„¢ IT Software & Digital Services Opens a new window portfolio provides the tools, training and advanced product portfolio to make the service extension easier and faster. With access to the award-winning software Ecostruxure IT Expert, MSPs can monitor connected assets (e.g., server’s power usage) across multiple distributed IT networks and edge sites from a single interface for their customers.
High-growth MSPs can demonstrate additional value with Dispatch Services. These help customers avoid unpredictable service costs by delivering advanced remote and on-site support with parts and labor included. Besides platform-agnostic remote monitoring software, solution providers also need a solid business model to support it. This means aligning digital services with the specific needs of enterprise and SMB customers.
To that end, Schneider Electric provides a full suite of software and digital services, including Ecostruxure IT Expert, Dispatch Services and an upgrade — Monitoring and Dispatch solution that offers an entirely hands-off approach coupled with near-constant monitoring, remote/on-site support for power and cooling infrastructure. Based on customers’ needs, MSPs can determine the right mix of services and support and offer a suitable service model to help customers transition from a break-fix model to proactive maintenance.
Furthermore, to help MSPs deliver exceptional service and fuel profitability, Schneider Electric provides free certification courses on best practices and a playbook to establish a successful practice with potential revenue increases of 1.5x the initial technology costOpens a new window . Solution providers mulling their 2021 go-to-market strategy and aiming to boost profit can leverage Schneider Electric’s brand to advance their credibility in the marketplace, build deeper engagement with their customer base, and position themselves as trusted advisors.
Often, one of the biggest hurdles MSPs face is ensuring sales efficiency and business success in the face of growing competition. Reaching new customers is hard, and more so in remote work environments. Partnering with an industry-leading brand like Schneider Electric can help ensure you get the most out of your sales efforts and get direct access to product and integration experts to meet the most demanding service delivery expectations. Partners can also leverage a range of asset behavior reports to improve operational efficiencies and equipment performance.
Safe to say, it’s an unmissable opportunity to leverage the global standards, mature product portfolio and scale of an industry giant and position yourself as a trusted advisor in the edge value chain.
Edge Computing Is the Way Forward
With an ever-increasing number of industries finding ways to leverage edge computing to improve their processes, the pressure is on to meet near-continuous uptime. Progressive MSPs can take the lead in helping clients meet these deployment targets effectively and adapt to the industry’s evolving needs.
By adding Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxureâ„¢ IT Software & Digital ServicesOpens a new window to their portfolio, solution providers have everything they need under a single umbrella. They can effectively maintain the networked physical assets for any size environment, resulting in less downtime, standardized edge deployments, reduced maintenance issues, and improved cost controls.
There are other benefits MSPs stand to gain. With an edge product portfolio from Schneider Electric, MSPs can build credibility and uplevel their global reach. This also leads to new sources of recurring revenue, additional inflows from hardware upgrades and refreshes, as well as contributing to the long-term growth of clients. Above all, it allows them to strengthen relationships with clients and become a growth partner, helping them navigate the edge journey with trusted, proven solutions.
To know more about the business value of Edge Software & Digital Services Program, check out this guideOpens a new window . Want to get hands-on with the software? Sign up for a free trial of EcoStruxure IT Expert for Partners.Opens a new window
Sources:
1 2021 IoT and Edge Commercial Adoption Survey Results by The Eclipse FoundationOpens a new window
2 Data Center Downtime at the Core and the Edge: A Survey of Frequency, Duration and Attitudes by Ponemon Institute, 2020Opens a new window
3 IDC FutureScape Outlines the Impact “Digital Supremacy†Will Have on Enterprise Transformation and the IT Industry, 2019Opens a new window
4 Low Latency | Edge Computing | IDC & Lumen | 2021 Opens a new window