VARs will be able to tailor and design a managed service for printing solutions following a deal between Tech Data and FMAudit.
FMAudit provides managed print services tools, including its Rapid Print Assessment software, which provides automated metering, reporting, and consumable and service alerts. The agreement, which falls into Tech Data's Printing Solutions SBU (Specialized Business Unit), will enable VARs to offer remote printer management, warranties, services, sales, maintenance and other services to users on most printers, according to Wendy Linsky, vice president of peripherals product marketing.
"This is the first of a number of managed services announcement from the Printing Solutions SBU," Linsky said. "This will provide VARs with the opportunity to sell the printer, [and it will] also provide a solution selling printing in a cost-per-page way with industry best practice and assessment of exactly what kind of printing solution the end-user needs."
She added that solution providers will be able to manage disparate systems within a customer and can charge either monthly or per seat. "It is all customizable, according to the end-user's needs," she said.
FMAudit also provides VARs with reporting, account management and analysis tools.
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Linsky said the industry must move out of the commodity space and into the solutions market. "On the hardware itself margins are continuing to collapse, and from a long-term perspective we have to move into solution selling for printers."
Any Tech Data reseller can sell the offering, and the distributor will be providing training and support.
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