Wireless Applications Open Up Significant Opportunities for MSPs and VARs

With the launch of the CLEAR WiMAX network in select US cities we’re going to begin to understand what kinds of applications true mobile broadband can begin to power. And whether it ends up being WiMAX, Long Term Evolution (LTE a competitor to WiMAX), or new hybrids yet to emerge in the big spectrum chunk left open by the US transition to HDTV earlier this year, wireless applications are going to open up significant opportunities for MSPs and VARs. Here’s a few ways I think those opportunities will emerge.

Point of Presence – imagine pulling into the parking garage near your favorite store when up pops a video tour of the sale items available for that day on the display screen in your car or a handheld communication device. Better yet, at the end of a video you receive a 20% off coupon. Setting up and maintaining these customer interaction mechanisms requires the integration of a lot of IT and sets up the possibility of a whole new type of MSP not only managing the local networks and systems but also pushing content. The possibilities for retail, medical, legal, hospitality and other verticals is huge.

Wireless Security – with more bandwidth comes the opportunity for even more, higher quality remote interaction in the form or peer-to-peer and with customers. HD cameras built into mobile devices streaming real-time HD video point-to-point is great. But with the opportunity comes even more need for data and content security.

Smart Buildings – energy monitoring systems, smarter building security, enhanced information and content displays need not require significant retrofitting to an existing structure with the ability to have high bandwidth two-way communication between devices locally and miles apart. In situations where WiFi is impractical or where the need to segregate the information flow from your normal traffic is important, devices and systems will emerge to fill the bill. We’re starting to see the beginnings of the migration with transceiver equipped smart power meters being installed across the country.

These are just a few areas. Many more applications will emerge.

What do you think? What are you already doing to make these a reality.