Staples is gearing up to expand its presence in the business-to-business services market with the launch of Staples Technology Solutions. The new portfolio offers a range of data center, print, and managed services for small businesses up to the enterprise level, according to Joe Kalinoski, vice president of finance for Staples Technology Solutions.
With an enhanced IT products catalog, Staples Technology Solutions aims to attract the same business customers that solution providers target. Kalinoski expressed confidence in the offerings, stating, “I think VARs that read this will be a little envious of what we have to offer here.”
The services under Staples Technology Solutions include access to certified specialists for various areas, onsite and remote server and desktop support, printer fleet management, and data center assessments. The division operates under Staples Advantage, the business-to-business arm of Staples, which was formed through the company’s acquisitions of Corporate Express and Thrive Networks.
Staples Technology Solutions will have operations in Massachusetts and Florida, with associates in Staples Advantage offices across the country. While the division does not carry enterprise-class servers or storage products, it can provide the necessary infrastructure to run a data center.
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Staples can serve as a fully managed, outsourced IT department. Jim Lippie, vice president of Staples Network Services, highlighted the company’s ability to provide a complete solution with managed IT services and onsite support.
Staples plans to leverage N-able Technologies’ managed services platform for servers and Kaseya’s platform for desktops. Despite competing with solution providers, Staples Technology Solutions also aims to collaborate with them for service implementations.
With a focus on local touch and national reach, Staples is confident in its ability to win over customers and compete in the services market. Bob Laliberte, senior analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, sees a big opportunity for Staples but emphasizes the importance of execution.
As Staples embarks on this new venture, it will face the challenge of winning services from local providers. However, the company is banking on its brand reputation to attract customers who already rely on Staples for other products and services. Smaller solution providers may even consider partnering with Staples to leverage its credibility in the market.