Value-Added Resellers Need To Pivot With The Cloud

Technology resellers purchase software and hardware and sell it to customers and businesses. Value-Added Resellers take technology, add something to it, like applications or a suite of programs, and then re-sell it. With the rise of cloud computing technology, SaaS (software-as-a-service), and other virtual support systems, there is less value-added hardware around to be resold. There has been a dramatic shift to the cloud over the past several years due to its lower maintenance costs, flexibility, and efficiency for businesses and consumers, alike. Many resellers are pivoting toward services and consultancy and away from hardware.

Though the average consumer can still buy a laptop with applications added to it from the store, data centers are quickly becoming extinct due to the shift to virtual cloud servers, as they require no physical infrastructure on-site. Technology resellers had an important place in the IT industry providing and upgrading these data centers, supplying labour assets and on-going maintenance servicing. Data centers are still found all over the world and need to be maintained. Those working in the data centre space should learn about IOR services to ease importing hassles and meet customs compliance every time. With increasing frequency, businesses outsource their server and storage needs to a third-party cloud service provider. There are many reasons to switch to the cloud and move away from the hassles of hardware.

It’s more cost-effective to adopt cloud computing: there is no hardware to buy and maintain, and there is no need to hire employees to maintain it, either. Cloud services are scalable depending on the needs of the business that month, week, or day. Customer service and assistance is included in the service package if something goes wrong. The cloud provides flexibility for employees to work from home, in-transit, or from a remote location, even internationally. The cloud also provides every day conveniences like social media and streaming entertainment. It is widely considered to be more secure, despite hacking and data breach concerns. There are privacy laws and other regulations in place that cloud service providers and users need to abide by. A more antiquated system based on hardware and physical storage drives leaves businesses and individuals open to identity theft through non-digital, analogue means.

Technology resellers still have a place, as we’re far from abandoning hardware, altogether. But some shifting needs to occur to rebalance the ratio of offerings and use. As consumers and businesses switch to cloud services, so too should those in the reselling industry in equal, anticipatory amounts. Small businesses and corporations will no longer need to hire a company to install and maintain hardware; however, a technology consultant is now useful. A consultant can help businesses navigate the world of the cloud by finding the best SaaS applications to suit their needs and demands. Having an expert advise on service offerings, agreements, and contracts, and make sure cloud providers aren’t taking advantage of customers, or not delivering on what they promised, is valuable. A Value-Added Reseller would come in, install servers or other hardware, and leave. Whereas an ongoing consultant gets to know the company well, has an ongoing relationship to ensure continued efficiency, and ensures that changing needs are being met according to new offerings and innovations.