Stationer sets sights on wider IT market

JGBM keen to recruit IT resellers to help widen its footprint in the market

Hitting the target: JGBM is looking for IT partners to help it grow market share

One of the stationery market’s largest distributors is taking on the IT market with what it claims is a superior services model.

Wholesaler John George Business Machines (JGBM) has built a database of more than 3,000 stationery dealers since its inception 30 years ago, but now wants some IT channel action.

The distributor, which sells printers as well as ‘crossover’ products such as digital dictation, is confident its emphasis on services will help it win business. The distributor offers its VARs a demo facility and leasing services and managing director John George said he would take calls from customers at any time.

George told CRN: “JGBM is looking for a different profile of VAR. ­ IT resellers are a different animal to stationery dealers. We are interested in resellers that are dissatified with the service they receive from their current distributor. In particular we have several innovative offerings that resellers will not be aware of, and we would like to present them the market, as well as a more personal level of support'.

He added that some of the services the distributor offers includes its ClickCat - reseller branded websites.

"These sites are updated every day by us for the dealer, they don't have to update the site, we do it for them daily," he said.

Other services include Smartshot - a reseller e-marketing tool.

"We design dealer branded e-shots and Smartshot sends it to their database so they can view click-throughs and orders," George added.

The distributor also offers InfoService - which provides partners with a monthly report on all new product models, discoutinued models, product images and all the activity of that particular month.