Channel technologies, IT management, MSP, Networking

IoT Remote Monitoring, Management (RMM): TeamViewer, HARMAN Partner Up

In the classic MSP software market, most RMM (remote monitoring and management) tools focus on PC, server and mobile management. But TeamViewer and HARMAN are looking at the RMM sector from a slightly different angle. Indeed, the duo has partnered to offer IoT  management solutions for smart buildings and devices worldwide.

The joint offering combines HARMAN’s IoT Smart Building solution with TeamViewer’s remote monitoring and control solutions. The solution displays information collected from a variety of sensors, and monitors the individual sensors and gateways, the duo says.

In a typical scenario:

  • HARMAN customers with smart buildings use the HARMAN IoT gateway to gather the status of building devices through more than 500 different sensor types.
  • Leveraging TeamViewer’s remote control offering, operations managers and service technicians can continuously monitor the HARMAN IoT Gateway. The operational status of the gateway will be displayed in HARMAN’s Smart Building dashboard, with additional detail available on TeamViewer’s own extensive monitoring dashboard, the two companies say.

HARMAN will demonstrate the joint offering during Mobile World Congress 2017 next week in Barcelona, Spain.

HARMAN is a familiar name to audio fans. More than 25 million automobiles are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. But the $7.2 billion company's move into IoT device monitoring software will surely catch some IT service providers by surprise. TeamViewer, meanwhile, is a well-known provider of online communication, collaboration and remote monitoring software. The company supports more than 200 million users worldwide.

RMM Meets IoT: Again and Again

Admittedly, plenty of RMM-focused software companies and startups are pivoting toward IoT monitoring opportunities. Also, platforms like GE Digital's Asset Performance Management Suite and Amazon's AWS IoT Platform have potential RMM implications over the long haul.

We're particularly intrigued by Swift Sensors, which is backed by Barracuda Networks‘ founder and former CEO Dean Drako. Swift in December 2016 launched a cloud-based sensor system that can monitor industrial devices for temperature, humidity, vibration, motion, activity, location, electric voltage, current and more. And yes, the company is mulling potential MSP partner opportunities...

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.