TSG shows its System Care for smaller firms

Reseller group launches managed service for SMEs

Technology Services Group (TSG) has launched an IT network managed service for SMEs, just one week after announcing its 13th acquisition.

System Care is aimed at small businesses with between 10 and 250 users. Nigel Hudson, business development manager at TSG, claimed the service will have a wide appeal.

"Many businesses don't have faith in their IT systems' ability to run smoothly. We can offer them a complete service, covering all the bread-and butter-applications," he said.

System Care is split into three subscription options: basic system support for when end-user problems occur; remote and proactive system maintenance; or a TSG expert on site to help with problems as they arise. "We want to make it easy for SMEs to gain system support," said Hudson.

Earlier this month TSG bought Sage reseller Edinburgh Microsystems, as it looks to expand its presence in the UK Sage and Pegasus markets, as well as in services.

Rachel Power, an analyst at Canalys, said managed services are becoming an increasingly popular offering.

"Managed pay-as-you-go services are very attractive to SMEs. It means they don't have an annual services contract hanging over them," she said.

Last week PC World Business also launched its own IT services package for the SME sector, offering either a pay-as-you go or a monthly fee service, based on its established Remote IT management service.

Power added that other resellers could also be planning to launch IT services into the SME space.

"Many others could be waiting in the wings with a similar strategy. SME is always touted as an opportunity for the channel, and these IT services help VARs build incremental revenue streams," she said.

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