Equinox launches new ASP model

Distributor turned service provider Equinox is addressing the confused service provider market by launching its own model known as Converged Service Provision.

Distributor turned service provider Equinox is addressing the confused service provider market by launching its own model known as Converged Service Provision (CSP).

Duncan Crook, managing director at the company, explained how the case for service providers has been weakened by the launch of a myriad of services. "There are now 13 types of service provider, from WASPs to BSPs. We're supposed to be making things easier for users. No wonder they're confused."

Crook's logic is that by introducing CSP, the business case can be clarified. The argument that IT suppliers take the asset and technology risk for customers has been weakened by the profusion of choice, he said.

But the situation can be rescued by bringing together the separate elements under one umbrella company. CSP will combine all the disparate aspects of IT-driven business systems, which Equinox has characterised as process, service, systems integration, technology and contracts.

"Some companies end up using five different application service providers alone," said Crook. "It can be a nightmare to manage them all."

Analyst Dave Boulanger, vice president at AMR Research, agreed in principle. "We're finding in the US that sometimes what you save on IT you spend on legal fees," he said.

But not everyone was impressed by the proposals. "Effectively they're trying to put themselves at the centre of every contract," said one anonymous reseller. "CSP is just an ASP in disguise."

Crook denied that he is confusing the market even further by introducing a disguised ASP. "Dressed up ASP? Absolutely not. What we're doing is bringing order to the chaos and getting the service industry back on track," he said.