Tech Data Offers Outsourced Digital Signage Installation Services to Channel Partners

Tech Data Corp. last week said that it is offering channel partners access to a third-party specialist in digital signage installation services, a move the distributor said will assist its resellers to deliver such solutions to customers faster and more efficiently.

In the past year, Tech Data has cranked up its attention on digital signage, doubling the number of Digital Signage Certified Experts (DSCE) on its sales team to some 120 individuals and adding resources to its Digital Signage and Projectors Specialized Business Unit.

Now it has contracted with iTeam, a privately-held provider of packaged, outsourced IT and audio/video installation services based in Westford, MA.

The company offers what it calls Service-as-a-Product (SaaP) to technology resellers, retailers, integrators and OEMs to supplement technology solutions provided to customers. It taps into a roster of about 14,000 technicians who, in aggregate, have completed some 750,000 IT projects in the U.S. and Canada, officials said.

“Digital signage is one of the fastest growing technologies in the market today,” said Wendy Linsky, Tech Data vice president, peripherals product marketing.

“Our partnership with iTeam extends our best-in-class solutions support to the field, helping resellers deliver more options for professional installation services to their end-user customers,” she said.

Outsourced digital signage installation services helps partners

Linsky said that channel partners can allay some of the time and costs associated with installing complex digital signage projects by tapping into iTeam’s expertise.

“In many cases resellers are integrating digital signage into existing network infrastructure, moving beyond data centers and server rooms to pull cable through ceilings, mount displays on walls and install media PCs and content management software,” she said.

“While that can be time-consuming, complex work for traditional IT reseller staff, the experts at iTeam serve as an extension of a reseller’s team, going onsite nationwide to install solutions on their behalf,” Linsky said.

The iTeam installation services include site surveys, wiring, network integration, display mounting, and setting up the media player and software.

“There’s no need for resellers to invest in new staff or disrupt service levels for existing customers when building a digital signage practice,” said Bill Kazman, iTeam chief executive.

“Whether it’s for one, a dozen or hundreds of digital signage installations, resellers can use iTeam’s Service-as-a-Product approach, resources and expertise to confidently and profitably deploy these solutions for their customers.”

Tech Data said that channel partners can access iTeam’s services through the techdata.com product catalog at the same time as ordering digital signage hardware and software.