IDC: Cloud Managed Wi-Fi Market to Hit $2.5B by 2018

The International Data Corp. (IDC) report, "Cloud-Managed WiFi Set to Grow to $2.5 Billion by 2018," revealed that the wireless local area network (WLAN) market for cloud-managed WiFi presents major growth opportunities in both hardware and services. Here are some of the reasons why the cloud-managed WiFi market could grow over the next few years.

Dan Kobialka, Contributing writer

April 11, 2014

1 Min Read
Rohit Mehra IDC39s Vice President of Network Infrastructure
Rohit Mehra, IDC's Vice President of Network Infrastructure

Global market intelligence firm International Data Corp. (IDC) reported that worldwide cloud-managed infrastructure and managed services revenue will reach $653 million in 2014 and $2.5 billion by 2018. In IDC’s report, “Cloud-Managed WiFi Set to Grow to $2.5 Billion by 2018,” researchers noted that the wireless local area network (WLAN) market for cloud-managed WiFi presents numerous growth opportunities in both hardware and services.

“Enterprises are seeing the big picture and definitely considering cloud-managed WiFi for their remote sites when upgrading their networks,” Rohit Mehra, IDC’s Vice President of Network Infrastructure, said in a prepared statement. “These upgraded network architectures can accommodate unique needs around bring your own device (BYOD), scalability, application visibility and management.”

Additional IDC findings included:

  • Leaner IT staffs are challenged with provisioning, troubleshooting and maintaining more sophisticated networks.

  • Cloud-managed WiFi contradicts the prevailing trend in enterprise IT of “everything as a service.”

  • Vendors and channel partners are enabling simplified deployments through extensive managed services.

  • One of the most appealing benefits of cloud-managed Wi-Fi is the ability to provide automated provisioning and configuration.

  • Delivering the network over the cloud helps shift spending from capital expenditures to operational expenditures.

So how can managed service providers (MSPs) use the cloud to expand their businesses? Chris Schin, Vice President of Products for online backup and disaster recovery solutions provider Zetta.net, recently provided tips for MSPs to turn cloud-based backup into a profit center.

In addition, Ted Hulsy, Vice President of Marketing at cloud-based file sharing company eFolder, told MSPmentor last month that there are four ways that MSPs can boost their cash flow with cloud file sync:

  1. Annual subscriptions

  2. Migration projects

  3. Premium managed services

  4. File sync and file backup services

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About the Author

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka

Contributing writer, Penton Technology

Dan Kobialka is a contributing writer for MSPmentor and Talkin' Cloud. In the past, he has produced content for numerous print and online publications, including the Boston Business Journal, Boston Herald and Patch.com. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State College (now Bridgewater State University). In his free time, Kobialka enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football (Go Patriots!).  

See more from Dan Kobialka
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