Comments on: Tech Data vs. Ingram Micro on Managed Services

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:49:39 +0000

Stu: MSPmentor is designed to ensure all readers can have a voice. And I think it’s good when comments (such as yours) include contact info that helps readers find the answers they need.

By: StuFinancesTech

StuFinancesTech — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:42:36 +0000

Anyone who wants flexible options and a solution for wide varieties of credits can develop a HAAS program, whether its a true program or just shares some features. Since financing is my gig, I’d love a chance to talk with a couple of you that are interested in it as we have a couple tech specific programs that I think are a good fit for what you guys are trying to do, which is have affordable hardware but lock in your position to sell and make $$ off the services. Please email me about any of this or to see how we can collaborate on a program at Stu@southernlendingsolutions.com. Thanks.

Joe, I hope I’m not violating anything by offering that.

Stu

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:43:58 +0000

cflint: Congrats on your efforts. Can you get in touch with me directly? I’d love to hear more about your Exchange strategy as it develops.
-jp, MSPmentor
joe [at] ninelivesmediainc.com

By: cflint

cflint — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:20:13 +0000

We’re also using Ingram’s Seismic offerings. We’ve been one of the first to jump on some of the services. IM had some growing pains, but those seem to be worked out and we’re starting to see the benefits of using IM as our partner.

We use the NOC, MX Logic, Vault Logix, Autotask and we’re offering our customers the Help Desk services and testing the Hosted Exchange with others.

The decision to go with IM instead of our own in-house stuff was based upon us trying to do in-house in the beginning. The extra cost of the infrastructure, having to support our own hardware and software upgrades and more. We would have been much further along if IM had these offerings 3.5 years ago when we first started moving towards being a full MSP.

It’s not perfect, but our own in-house service was way worse.

By: Justin Crotty

Justin Crotty — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:22:09 +0000

Joe: I meant tough questions as it relates to the strategies of the distributors, how those strategies differ, and how those strategies benefit vars.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:00:01 +0000

Justin: Not asking the tough questions? I’ve written 345 blog posts on managed services since September and I’m not asking the tough questions? I beg to differ.

But on the other hand, that’s the wonderful thing about true Web 2.0 blogs: Readers are allowed to strongly voice their opinions.

So while I disagree with your assessment that I don’t ask the tough questions, I welcome your thoughts — and all reader thoughts.

By: Justin Crotty

Justin Crotty — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:50:52 +0000

Other than dismissing Ingram’s strategy, Tech Data’s comments do nothing to shed any light on what Tech Data’s strategy is in this space or how it helps vars be successful in this space. It is always very disappointing to us when a competitor doesn’t do their homework to understand our strategy and then makes public comments that clearly illustrate that lack of understanding.

Joe P, you are still not asking the tough questions. See my post on May 16th. http://www.mspmentor.net/2008/05/16/tech-data-expands-its-managed-services-offerings/#more-608

If we are going to analyze, compare and contrast distribution strategies as it relates to managed services then let’s get specific, go deep, and do it right.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:17:40 +0000

Amy: I believe Ingram was claiming first “distributor” to offer HaaS financing. Sorry for the confusion.

By: Amy Luby

Amy Luby — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:54:11 +0000

I’d correct Ingram that MSP OnDemand was the first to bring a true HaaS financing option to market. To date, MSP OnDemand is the only HaaS financing offering that delivers funding that does not involve the VAR’s credit worthiness and does not require the VAR to use their Master SLA. Check, CRN article by Dan Neel from September 29, 2006 – http://www.crn.com/software/193100554?queryText=dellinger. Seismic didn’t really launch until January 2007. If I recall correctly, Ingram’s HaaS financing offering wasn’t announced until late Summer 2007 (August I beleive).

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:09:17 +0000

Chris: Thanks for the perspective. Do you mind me asking which Seismic services you’re using? And do you brand them as your own to customers? I’m sure our readers would love some more real-world thoughts. Thanks.