Tech Data, an IT distributor, is offering TDMobility to its partners with general availability. TDMobility simplifies the process for VARs to enter the mobile market by providing an end-to-end platform, including mobile hardware, software, service plans, activation, and billing, regardless of the carrier. For VARs in the past, selling mobile services has been difficult, due to the complexity of working with carriers.
“We’ve created a process and a system that takes complexity away from the reseller, allowing them to †purchase mobility solutions and deliver them to their customers in a ‘SKU-able’ mobility format,” says Joe Quaglia, senior vice president of marketing and president of TDMobility for Tech Data. According to Quaglia, this is the first full scale comprehensive end-to-end solution from a distributor that offers mobility service from point of sale to delivery.
TDMobility features two flagship offerings – CellManage and TDActivate. Designed to streamline end-users’ wireless infrastructure, CellManage allows VARs to provide a managed services offering to customers, allowing them to manage multiple cellular lines through a single portal. CellManage enables east access to manage bills, deployment, asset tracking, and procurement of cellular devices. TDActivate subsidizes hardware and pays a portion of the commission up front to each reseller, ensuring positive transactional cash flow for VARs.
Tech Data will prepare its partners with access to TDMobility University, which includes sales and product training, as well as access to a demo program and sales reps.
“We’ve built out a sales force of mobility experts in TDMobility that are experts and behave like a typical vendor would – by engaging with these resellers and working deals,” says Charles Kriete, executive vice president, TDMobility. “We’re maintaining a sales force that, combined with the university, is offering a deeper education.” Quaglia sees Tech Data’s offerings as a necessity for resellers in the mobile space.
“As more ultrabooks and notebooks and more ‘activate’-able products are put in the marketplace,” says Quaglia, “this is another opportunity for resellers to position themselves to sell mobility solutions across the board. This is one single simple platform that can cover more than smartphones and tablets.”
TDMobility was previously available to select customers, but is now available to all general partners. For more information, visit http://www.tdmobility.com.
