CRN : Impact Systems pushes Managed Services to partners

Impact Systems believes it's not too late for resellers to jump on the managed services bandwagon, however it wants partners to be educated on what it entails.

By Lilia Guan CRN - 16 February 2009 02:45PM

The Australian distributor said it has been working on a set of applications to help resellers calculate the pricing of PC hardware, SaaS management and other service calculations they need to keep on top of.

Peter Agamalis, managing director of Impact Systems, told CRN, resellers need to get into managed service, especially at a time when selling one-off hardware and software products is no longer enough.

"A lot of consumers are just satisfied with their products," he said.

"Resellers need to focus on building on top of that product sale with services."

However Agamalis claims not all resellers know exactly what managed services are.

"We have thousands of resellers and I get on the phone and call them out of the blue," he said

"I will ask them point blank do you know what managed services are?"

"Some resellers will say yes, but you can tell they are lying, others will be honest and say no, however, there is only a handful that will answer you truthfully and say 'what managed services are you talking about, be specific'."

According to Agamalis, the set of modules will be available to resellers at the end of Q3 or Q4, this year.

"The modules will be ready towards the end of the year," he said.

"We have recently taken distribution of version 10 or MicroWorld's eScan anti-virus product.

"The product is on par with the top 20 anti-virus solutions around the globe.

"Resellers can expect good margins, with an ongoing revenue stream from renewals."