Tech Data To Offer Parts Via Computer Exchange
VARs will now have access to Computer Exchange's replacement parts for desktops, notebooks, routers and servers, as well as to repair, refurbish and exchange services for printers, and they can be purchased via Tech Data's Web site.
"The parts market is a $2 billion market, and it doesn't have a good, clean distribution line. Essentially, service parts are a must-have for resellers that are in any kind of service or maintenance business, but there is no broadline distributor or product distributor that carries them," said Barb Miller, vice president of government, technical and integration services at the Clearwater, Fla.-based distributor.
"We had requests from resellers, but we also had requests from our business partners the vendors. We put together a program for the resellers and vendors that they can both profit from," Miller said, adding that VARs will have access to approximately 10,000 service parts.
VARs will be able to use Tech Data's credit services to buy the parts. All Computer Exchange products are covered by a 90-day warranty. Resellers also can exchange printer cores through the service.
For Computer Exchange, partnering with Tech Data extends the Lawrenceville, Ga.-based company's reach into the VAR community.
"As I take a look at that VAR customer base, I can either partner with a Tech Data that has [reseller relationships] already established, with all of the back-office terms and conditions, or I can go out and hire a thousand salespeople and try to attract that same customer base," said Mike Gilbertson, director of business development at Computer Exchange. "They'll buy a part from them knowing it's Tech Data."