I've been working with one VAR for the last 10 years, but their service has really dropped off, and their prices don't seem competitive anymore. Our company does a lot of hardware and software maintenance renewals through them, including major brands like Cisco and Microsoft, along with various smaller applications. For compliance reasons, it's easier for us to stick with one large VAR rather than juggle multiple smaller ones. So, I'm looking for tips on how to choose a new VAR. Do any of you have a VAR you really love?
5 Answers
We use Trace3, and we've been really happy with them! They've provided solid service for us.
Why limit yourself to just one? I've had at least three VARs active at all times, which helps with pricing on big projects. CDW has been fantastic for us because of our awesome rep. Just be careful—some VARs won't let you get quotes from others without a purchase, and dealing with multiple VARs can complicate things a bit too.
Choosing the right VAR really boils down to having a solid point of contact. If you can, ask for a new representative. We've been using CDW for years, and in my experience, having a great account exec makes all the difference.
Totally agree! We asked for a new rep too, but unfortunately, they were just as bad. We're moving on as well.
I've had a pretty good experience with Insight lately! Their platform isn't the best, but their team has been top-notch. CDW used to be my go-to, but not anymore.
From my experience, it's always about the individual rep you get. I had a good rep with PCMall until they switched departments and gave me a not-so-great replacement. Then, when the company I worked for merged, I had to switch to a different VAR's rep—talk about a headache! They're not all bad, but your experience can vary significantly based on who you're working with.
Very true! The person you're working with really can make or break your experience.
Definitely! There are pros and cons to having multiple VARs. You can often get better quotes, but also, manage different credit lines and support situations. It's a balancing act.