FixITlocal members will see their business volumes double overnight following the introduction of a new service module, according to the founder of the scheme.

Launched in November, FixITlocal routes calls from users to VARs in their local area. It recently came under fire for generating insufficient callouts for its 600 registered members (CRN, 18 February).

FixITlocal founder John Carter admitted some members are still receiving no calls.

However, he said the addition of a services module ­ where members will carry out field services work in their local area on behalf of PC vendors ­ will secure an extra 50 to 100 calls for its members each week.

Carter said PC vendor Mesh Computers and an unnamed services firm are already on board, and claimed the rising cost of petrol would prompt others to join.

“The service module will drive business for those already committed to FixITlocal,” Carter said.
“At a very conservative estimate, this will double FixITlocal’s business with just these two players on board.”

Carter said that FixITlocal is also increasing its activities with distributors Micro-Peripherals and Northamber, which have created exclusive bundles for FixITlocal members. A deal with a third distributor is expected to be unveiled soon.

“We are still looking to recruit resellers in areas where we are not covered. We are light in some areas of Scotland, outside of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, for instance,” he added.

Neal Somaia, owner of Mighty Micro Manchester, said FixITlocal had given his firm three months’ free service after he complained about enquiry levels three months ago.

“We have a lot of Mesh customers coming into us, so this could be quite good. FixITlocal is making the right noises at the moment, but it is about ensuring these deals are implemented and that we get the throughput of calls,” he said.

However, Somaia added that he had not seen a significant increase in enquiries since February.

FixITlocal support line is slow off the blocks
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