Synnex has expanded its One IT program to include human resources and recycling solutions and has plans for even bigger expansion in 2013, Synnex executives told solution providers attending the Varnex Fall Conference in Las Vegas.
Synnex launched One IT as a platform designed to provide a one-stop shop interface for everything from quotes to ordering to service ticket creation and more.
"One IT is a cohesive platform that enables best-in-class applications to share information and ensure that you can be a more profitable reseller," said Jonathan Merrell, vice president of technology solutions for One IT, during a Varnex session.
[Related: Synnex Roundup: New Cloud Solutions And Vendor Promotion App Launched]
The One IT bundle has included five modules: CRM, quoting, operations and customer storefront solutions from VARCommerce and Autotask's PSA platform. At the Varnex Conference this week, Synnex announced the integration of an HR solution from TriNet Group, which includes up to 14 health insurance packages, and a recycling auction tool from TechXChange. In addition, Synnex plans add its own CloudSolv, PrintSolv and RenewSolv programs in 2013, Merrill said.
All the additions were added based on feedback from Varnex members, said Bob Stegner, senior vice president of marketing, North America, for Synnex.
"The health and HR benefits were No. 1 on our priority list. We did a large call-out campaign and the [Varnex advisory] council was really big on it. We worked in conjunction with our HR people. It's a big thing for a smaller company, not even the insurance benefits, but the HR things. If you look at a small eight- to 10-person shop, they can't keep track of everything [HR related]," Stegner said.
Mike Brogan, president of Erb's Technology Solutions, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based VAR and president of the Varnex council, said he first asked Stegner 20 years ago about developing a software package for VARs to help them run their business better. About two years ago, Brogan resurrected the idea after Stegner joined Synnex and Varnex started growing.
"With Bob's help, Synnex was able to do in two years what no one could do in 20 years. It's a program that I think is a great value for all of us," Brogan said. "I'm running it in my business, and it's making a difference. I always refer to resellers as the cobbler's children. We don't do anything to help ourselves. Here's an affordable way to ramp up the back room of your business and become more efficient and obviously more profitable."
Kevin Murai, president and CEO of Synnex, said the company has held extensive discussions around adding more solutions and alternative vendors to One IT, but first the focus is on getting more VARs running the tool.
"We've surrounded it with a number of tools. The overall plan is we will have [third-party] partners [prioritized] with the integration. Those are the ones driven by customer feedback based on [which company] they are using," Murai said.
For example, it's likely that PSA vendor ConnectWise will be added for partners not using Autotask now.
"We don't assume that 100 percent of our customers will adopt every tool in our platform. They may want to pick and choose. We allow them to do that by writing through Web services now. We will complete out the suite and then work on other choices," Murai said.
PUBLISHED NOV. 13, 2012
