Control rooms are the nucleus of many enterprises, storing all the critical information being transferred through these hubs globally. They are integral to both operational efficiency and connecting disparate business units that need purview across all operations. Yet many of today’s enterprises are still running operations through their original infrastructure, which has become outdated in today’s digital-first world.

To address these complex needs, businesses are striving to transition from traditional capital expenditures models to a more dynamic hub infrastructure with global reach. According to Credence Research Analysis, the global dispatch console market will be worth $2.6 billion by 2026, with the largest demand in North America driving $638 million of this revenue. Legacy systems are reaching the point of failure, and without a new system in place, communications, operations and security are all at risk of being compromised. Global demand for more seamless and effective operations is growing — blending on-premise, cloud, and managed services to create an integrated hub.

It’s more critical than ever to protect enterprise and customer data from global security threats, and to maintain the highest level of service, but with so many new technologies available, many businesses don’t know where to start.

From On-Premise to Managed Services

So how do enterprises operating on legacy systems adapt to these converging technologies? The first step is evaluating current needs and deciding which processes need to remain on-premise and which can begin migration to the cloud. Embracing the cloud structure allows for more operational efficiency, security and connectivity. This blended approach is the right fit for many businesses who need localized on-premise solutions, but who are also scaling their operations for a global network. Cloud capabilities will continue to improve and offer more benefits than traditional systems, which is why implementing a hub infrastructure that can support global operations and communications is key to this approach. Managed services can make this transition as seamless as possible for all the channels and technologies that an organization’s command operations use.

Over time, the control room can transfer to a full cloud model and incorporate the continuously evolving technologies that are necessary for today’s business needs. For example, voice, radio, security and LTE, the standard of wireless data transmission, are just a few of the tools driving advanced business operations today. When a full cloud model is enabled, providers are able to build customized service solutions for customers, addressing network and radio convergence by supporting direct radio integration with a digital mobile radio system.

Transportation, logistics, energy, and utilities companies can all benefit from integrated systems or customized applications to streamline monitoring, call management or real-time analytics. From on-premise support to blended cloud and managed services, there’s an end-to-end solution for every operating model and industry.

As-A-Service for Command and Control

Adopting a managed services model is the first step into the future for command and control. As these systems are customized for enterprises, the service offerings will continue to evolve and become an as-a-service solution, where businesses can fully customize the command and control operations they need to support their networks.

What is as-a-service, and how can it revolutionize command and control—along with almost every major industry? As-a-service, in its most basic form, is technology offered and provided as a singular service and hosted through a network server. Customers can pay to use a specific technology of their choice when they need it, increasing accessibility and mobility for customers. The service is ultimately made possible by advanced cloud computing and network connectivity, which is why the as-a-service model will merge with the cloud and network services control rooms are already utilizing.

The as-a-service trend is moving toward everything-as-a-service (XaaS), which Deloitte defines as business capabilities, products, and processes that are not siloed vertical offerings but, rather, a collection of horizontal services that can be accessed and leveraged across organizational boundaries. This horizontal application is key for enterprises looking to upgrade their command and control services, providing them with many as-a-service solutions that still connect to the global hub.

Taking ‘Control’ of the Connected Future

With command and control services at the core of everyday operations, as-a-service advancements demonstrate the potential for transformation within a vast range of industries. IT leaders are eager to embrace a more connected and secure future, but they must be equipped for the challenges that lie ahead. Identifying service gaps, launching digital transformation plans and reevaluating cloud capabilities are just a few ways enterprises can make significant strides forward. As the global dispatch control market continues to develop, those who pursue a blended on-premise, cloud, and managed service approach will lead the connected, global future.