If you’re a fan of the “Back to the Future” trilogy trivia, you surely awaiting a 2015 introduction of self-adjusting clothes and fully automated gas stations. While the New Year is officially underway, chances are good that most of us won’t be driving flying cars or buying self-lacing shoes in the next 12 months, and probably won’t see the other two options, either.
We do have Google Glass, which looks like a more subtle version of this Marty McFly’s headset, and we also get to communicate through video conferencing, but most technologies don’t look as cool as they do in the movies. Everything works like a marketer’s dream on screen and the network bandwidth issues we all encounter never seem to happen in a Hollywood production.
Whether looking at real space-age technologies or simple innovations on current designs, most everyone enjoys seeing what the future has in store. Perhaps that’s why CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, continues to garner more attention each and every year. From CNN to local newspapers, it’s hard to avoid coverage of the annual event in Las Vegas which seems to grow in attendance and coverage every year.
Why The IT Channel Should Care
Since CES features consumer electronics that will likely be sold primarily through brick-and-mortar retail establishments and online stores, the IT channel can be heard asking, “Why should I care?” Because ignoring consumer electronics today means you ignore the wants and needs of your business customers as well.
Many consumer innovations may end up in a commercial setting and quite a few are sure to become part of a solution set sold, delivered and supported by the channel. With the continued advances in machine-to-machine technologies, providers have to pay special attention to any web-enabled device that could be of interest to their current and prospective customers.
After all, the Internet of Things is driven by end users: They want to save energy — and money — by controlling their thermostats through smartphone apps. Others like their devices to respond automatically based on sensors or computer-generated inputs. Unless there’s an anomaly, many business owners can just sit back and monitor while the machines handle most routine procedures. From restaurant freezers and office lighting to biometric devices used by firefighters to monitor their safety, the potential uses for these applications are virtually limitless.
What’s Good for the Home…
The differences between personal and business-oriented devices are getting harder to distinguish. The application of the total solution is what really makes the difference today. CES 2015 showcased the usual host of smartphones, tablets, laptops and other devices for the computing crowd. Many were lighter and with stronger batteries, which benefit both the commercial and home-users by helping them link all their apps and controls in one manageable platform.
Here are some other CES showcases that turned heads last week:
- Robots As personnel costs rise and the price of these technologies drop, solution providers should investigate the prospects in this market. CES was awash in mechanical butlers and cleaning options for carpets and pools, but the next wave promises more robust business applications. That includes automated ordering and delivery systems in restaurants and other retail establishments, each requiring some level of local IT programming and support.
- Drones These aren’t your grandfather’s R/C units. Their business applications are expanding quickly, from aerial photography and inspection — think architects, engineers and municipalities — to small item delivery. Prospective customers may need assistance with a variety of support needs, including procurement, set up and training. The drones on display at CES show the field is expanding as rapidly as their respective capabilities.
- 3-D Printers While still a niche product in the channel, demand should heat up quickly as the costs come down and applications expand. Unlike most CES technologies, 3-D printer adoption will most likely come more from the business community and providers who get involved at the earl stages will surely gain an upper hand in the market.
- Power and Device Chargers Often considered an afterthought, savvy solution providers ensure that their customers can keep their many devices running throughout the day — and night. That includes industry-standard and proprietary plugs, and CES showcased some unique solutions for virtually any home or workplace. How about a unit that charges devices from 20 feet away?
- Biometric Glasses Consider what our customers could do with a Google Glass-type product designed for specifically for blue-collar workers? How about barcode scanning and sensors that can track employee activities and help improve their efficiency? These glasses allow companies to perform job and safety training remotely by watching and guiding employees in real-time, reducing their travel costs and giving them greater flexibility.
While some consumer products have little use in the business environment, CES continues to offer providers plenty of great, entrepreneurial IT solution ideas every year. While a trip to Las Vegas after the holidays seems like a great respite for many, the education and research is the reason the real innovators attend.
Brian Sherman is founder of Tech Success Communications, specializing in editorial content and consulting for the IT channel. His previous roles include chief editor at Business Solutions magazine and senior director of industry alliances with Autotask. Contact Brian at [email protected].
