Tech Data Launches TechSource Service Network

Tech Data has teamed with ComputerRepair.com to introduce a new service network for its VAR customers, dubbed TechSource.

TechSource is a free network for members of TechSelect, Tech Data's exclusive group of small and midsize business-focused resellers that is designed to increase their services opportunities as well as help TechSelect VARs partner with one another. The TechSource service network is supported by ComputerRepair.com, an online services marketplace that enables users to post service requests and engage resellers listed on the company's site.

Tom Ducatelli, senior vice president of U.S. sales at Tech Data, says the distributor had received a lot of interest from its resellers about creating a formal service network. But unlike the Ingram Micro Service Network, which is run by Tech Data's top competitor, Tech Data decided to approach it differently by outsourcing the network to a third party.

"We're a distributor. We weren't looking to get ourselves into the services business, which is why we teamed with ComputerRepair.com," Ducatelli says.

Jeff Leventhal, president and founder of New York-based ComputerRepair.com, says the alliance between his company and Tech Data provides a unique offering for resellers. "This isn't just another 'me-too' services network," Leventhal says. "There's an ability for the VARs to own each service call and control their own destiny."

More than 11,000 solution providers, VARs and IT consultants currently use the ComputerRepair.com platform, including 30 TechSelect members that have already joined TechSource.

"We have deep coverage across the country in every zip code," Leventhal says.

Tech Data hopes to have many more of its resellers join TechSource, starting with the entire TechSelect membership and then opening up the network to other Tech Data reseller customers. "Our goal is to have all 500 TechSelect members in TechSource first," Ducatelli says.

Leventhal's company takes a methodical approach toward grading the VARs and ensuring each one has the necessary vendor authorizations, product certifications and technical expertise. He also says ComputerRepair.com's customer-feedback ratings on each VAR make it easier for prospective clients to put service requests out and find the solution providers they feel will do the best job for them.

"We've seen this work successfully already--eBay is an $80 billion company. Amazon's model also works off of customer feedback," he says.

The addition of TechSelect members via the TechSource network should increase the number of quality VARs on the platform, since Tech Data carefully recruits and monitors the VARs within TechSelect.

"It's an ideal situation because we already know TechSelect members have financial stability and have the right technical expertise," says Annette Taber, director of TechSelect.

Leventhal believes that TechSelect members will see immediate benefits of TechSource and ComputerRepair.com, such as an increase in billable hours for technicians and engineers and enhanced partnering opportunities with other resellers. Mark Sehi, president of Sehi Computer Products of Rochester Hills, Mich., agrees.

"Geographically, being part of TechSource helps us expand our coverage because we can team with other resellers," Sehi says. "We can also add technical expertise by working with other resellers."