Apple takes bite out of SMB support

Channel unfazed by launch of vendor's 'Joint Venture' programme for businesses

The channel has shrugged off Apple's decision to rollout in-store business support for SMBs, claiming the services will not encroach on what they do.

The vendor quietly unveiled its Joint Venture programme last week. Its aim is to assist SMBs with help setting up the products they purchase in store and train their staff in using them.

The programme will also provide customers with access to phone support and product loans should they get into technical difficulties.

A company can register between five and 100 devices under the programme, including iPads, iPhones and Mac computers, which must be purchased from an Apple Store to qualify.

Robert Peckham, former Mac director of the Technology Channels Association (TCA), said the launch of Joint Venture will have little impact on the firm's Apple Premium Reseller (APR) channel.

"Most customers will prefer to receive IT services and support onsite than in-store," he explained.

"The Apple name will have sway with some customers, and the demand for their products from the business sector is unquestionable. It's easy to understand why they have launched it."

What is less clear is why the company has launched the service with so little fanfare, added Peckham. "It has arrived very quietly and Apple has made no official news announcement about it. Perhaps it is not available in all Apple stores yet."

Steve Collins, a director at Apple and PC IT support provider Alpine Interactive, expressed doubts about how the service will work and how appealing it will be to SMBs.

"It says it is aimed at businesses, but it reads very much like it is aimed at home users, with a small number of devices," said Collins.

"Are they expecting customers to bring along tower PCs to the store? It would be much more beneficial to have onsite help from an Apple consultant."