https://www.xperience-group.com/news-item/partner-vs-direct/
Should I buy software direct from the vendor or through a reseller? Who can deliver the best level of support? Who can I turn to for assistance with implementation? These are just some of the questions many of you face when purchasing new software. In this post we’ll take a closer look at the partner vs direct dilemma to help you decide which is right for your business.
According to IDC, 86 per cent of business customers purchase technology through partner channels. While many customers still buy directly from IT vendors, the partner route is often the preferred choice. However, to realise the true benefits of buying your software through a reseller, first of all it is important to know how it differs from buying direct from the vendor. Here we examine your partner vs direct dilemma…
Having manufactured the software, the vendor’s development team is well equipped to resolve all software issues, including bugs and defects.
Many customers prefer to buy directly from the well-recognised brand expecting consistency in the product and service quality.
You may find you deal with a different advisor each time you contact the vendor, which can mean you need to repeat yourself when explaining the issue.
As a customer of a global software vendor you may face call queues before you reach an advisor. This is usually due to the volume of calls that hit the vendor, the deal direct with customers as well as partners.
You are assigned a single point of contact who will take time to get to know your business and your ways of working to provide you with personalised advice and recommend solutions to suit your needs.
You have an option to have a dedicated support contact to liaise with for the resolution of issues. As a result, when you have an issue that cannot be resolved in the first call, you can call back and speak to the same technician, ensuring consistency and removing the need to repeat information.
Many partners offer complementary software and services, such as IT support, providing a ‘one-stop-shop’. For example, we provide business management software, such as CRM and ERP, as well as TotalCare Managed IT Service.
In addition to support, partners will have a range of implementation services to help get you up and running with your software, from consultancy and implementation through to training and development.
Software vendors appoint business partners to resell and service their products because of the added value they can offer for the end users.
Software defects and bugs can’t be fixed by the reseller, therefore they have to be escalated to the vendor and subject to their update cycles.
Because there are many resellers it can be confusing to identify and select the right reseller for your needs.
Finding the right supplier is just as important as finding the right software. This is a very important step that can make or break the success of your project!