In This issue:
What’s New: A selection of the month’s best new products and services
Tech Trends: Top trends shaping the UK tech sector
Distributor News: Exclusive Networks sharpens focus on start-ups
Working Together: This month’s round-up of new distribution agreements
Reseller News: AzteQ develops framework for digital transformation success
Interview: Tech Data’s David Watts gives a distributor’s view of opportunities in the channel
MSPs: Datto’s fifth State of the MSP report reveals high levels of optimism amongst MSPs
Internet of Things What does it take to succeed in IoT? Technology Reseller finds out from Emma Mahy, Chief Executive of IoT Solutions Group
View from the Channel: With Andy Horn, CEO of IntraLAN
Connectivity: Why Versa Networks is a SASE leader and how it plans to expand its footprint in new and existing territories, including the UK
Finance: Evolution Capital launches new platform to accelerate M&A processes
Technology Live 2021 Preview: Meeting the demand for technology convergence
Opinion: Florian Malecki explains how to boost business with a 3-2-1-1 backup strategy
People: New faces, new places
Comment
Recently, several reports have identified sky high levels of optimism in the reseller/MSP community. Datto’s fifth State of the MSP report (see pages 30 and 31) is a case in point. This show that 98% of UK MSPs believe now is a good time to be an MSP. As someone reporting on the industry, this is great news, but as a journalist with an in-built bias towards fear, uncertainty, doubt and discord, such consensus is most unsatisfactory. If you are one of the 2% that isn’t so sure about the attractions of being an MSP, please get in touch; I would love to know why you feel this way.
In March, we invited readers to participate in a survey into the printer/MFP reseller channel being conducted by Keypoint Intelligence. Many thanks to everyone who took part. The results of this survey are now in – we cite a few in our Technology Live preview on pages 46 and 47 and will publish more in the next edition of PrintIT Reseller. These, too, show high levels of optimism, which is more surprising considering the effects that successive lockdowns and now the switch to
hybrid working have had (and will continue to have) on print volumes – surprising but perhaps not misplaced as despite a fall in resellers/MSPs’ average growth from 7% to 1.9% over the last two years, margins have actually gone up from 16.1% to 16.4%. Diversification within and outside their core offering will have contributed greatly to many respondents’ resilience and confidence. On which note, don’t forget to book time to attend Technology Live, taking place at the Business Design Centre on September 28, where you can find out more about new product areas that, as well as enhancing your existing portfolio, could make your business more resilient to market disruption and economic shocks. Register now, https://technologylive.co.uk.
In our interview with David Watts on page 16, he highlights the investment that Tech Data has made in its Practice builder programmes and the support that the distributor gives resellers seeking to expand into cloud, cyber security and other areas. Another option is to gain expertise through acquisition. In fact, as many as 41% of respondents to Keypoint Intelligence’s survey stated that they were likely to acquire in the next 12 months. Add in the interest of private equity firms in IT/comms businesses and it is possible that investors could come knocking on your door. As Nigel Cook, Founder and Managing Director of Evolution Capital, explains in our interview on pages 44 and 45, now might be a good time to get ‘match fit’ and present your business in a way most likely to attract potential investors.
James Goulding – Editor, Jamesg@binfo.co.uk
The Convergent Technology Event for IT Resellers & Providers, Business Design Centre · London · 28 September 2021
Be First to Comment