Jobvana, which positions itself as an online marketplace where you can find trusted service providers, has received an undisclosed amount of financing from Rally Capital to help marketing efforts. But what exactly is Jobvana, and can online marketplaces really help managed service providers (MSPs) score new business? Here are some thoughts.
To be clear, Jobvana isn’t just for IT service providers. Businesses and consumers can use Jobvana to track down Web developers, electricians, general contractors and other trade expertise. The system also lets users send and receive online payments.
Jobvana isn’t the first system of its kind. More than 13,000 service professionals already use OnForce to bid on IT projects across the U.S. and Canada, and OnForce is eying potential expansion in Europe. Plus, big companies — major telecom providers and PC makers — quietly use OnForce to outsource regional and national IT projects to multiple VARs and managed service providers.
Similar Concepts, Different Approaches
Are Jobvana and OnForce on a collision course? It’s too soon to say. OnForce processed its first work order back in April 2004. Jobvana, in contrast, appears to have launched around 2008 and has a far broader mission — serving all types of service providers (from IT experts to real estate agents).
I must concede: I’m always a bit skeptical when new, targeted social networks launch. Most small business owners already have their hands full managing their FaceBook and LinkedIn accounts. Social networks like PartnerPedia have popped up to help network VARs and and MSPs.
But what really motivates an entrepreneur or service provider to join yet another social network?
The simple answer: New sales and revenue opportunities. OnForce fills that need by going narrow and deep in the IT service provider market. The next few months should reveal if Jobvana’s decision to cast a wider net across more industries was a wise one.
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Tags: Channel Marketplace | Jobvana marketplace | MSP marketplace | OnForce | OnForce Service Professional | PartnerPedia
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Thanks Joe for mentioning PartnerPedia. I think our open community can help VARs and MSPs find new sales and revenue opportunities along with helping them network with each other.
We also recently launched Partnerpedia Private Networks that is designed to help companies maximize business through partners while reinforcing their company brand.
With sales through indirect channels increasing at an exponential rate, it is more critical than ever to fully enable ones entire network of channel and solution partners, and not only the top producers.
Michael Fauscette, group vice president of software business solutions for IDC noted that “Partner-to-partner collaboration and social networking are already happening, although often driven at a grass roots level. The difference is whether you as an enterprise are proactively engaging your partners in a collaborative fashion, if not, you run the risk of being left behind. Partnerpedia Private Networks is a great way for companies to maintain strong brand affiliation while gaining visibility to and maximizing the effectiveness of their partner community.”
Vanessa: Good to hear from you but I have a pet peeve: We try to avoid canned analyst endorsement quotes in our comments section.
If Michael/IDC want to sing PartnerPedia’s praises directly, the MSPmentor comment section is wide open to him and the research firm.
I couldn’t agree more that the primary motivation for companies to join social networks is to increase business (i.e. sales).
Hence, B2B social networking platforms such as Partnerpedia must put the emphasis on how it can help companies increase sales – either by helping them and their partners become more effective through channel enablement and collaboration, or by helping the company increase its exposure and expand into new markets.
Sam Liu:
We’re on the same page. The biggest problem with social networks: Many have quick success because they trigger virtual “reunions” — where old classmates or former co-workers can reconnect. But the magic quickly fades after people share their memories and move on.
There needs to be glue — a common bond, goal or ongoing interest — that drives a social network forward…