From installing social distancing apps and non-touch print technology, to rightsizing licensing, resellers and MSPs are busy helping their clients as they attempt a safe office return. Bosses from Insight, XMA, Jigsaw24, Phoenix Software, SBL, DTP, Total Computers, European Electronique, ASL, Bamboo and Arkphire weigh with their top tips.
Name: Tim Bodill
Company: Jigsaw24
Role: Sales director
VAR 350 ranking: 30
Talking to your clients, roughly what percentage are currently returning - or looking to return - staff to the office/site?
Many of our customers have already reopened their sites to some extent, and I would say that pretty much all of them are planning a full staff return at some point in the not-so-distant future. There is a sense of realism that it might be gradual, and a lot of people are expecting a hybrid setup with some employees back in the office while others continue to work from home, but I doubt that any of our customers are expecting an end to office life just yet.
What is the biggest challenge or opportunity for the channel in helping with this transition?
There are plenty of opportunities to help customers with the transition back to offices, not least because there was a bit of panic buying back in March from some companies that had not fully planned for remote working previously. As workplaces return, they will need to fix any teething problems they've experienced, or upgrade their technology for a better long-term fit with their regular business operation.
What products and services do you expect to be in the hottest demand over the coming months as clients look to reconfigure their offices for social distancing, and are there any new technologies you expect to take off?
I think we all hope social distancing will be consigned for the history books eventually, but adopting flexible working practices is helping customers stay productive at the moment. I am expecting a big increase in demand for our mobile solutions that allow people to work together seamlessly whether they are sat next to each other or in another continent - and especially for Apple devices, which are more popular than ever.
Given the rise of remote working and socially distanced offices, how do you expect the role of resellers or MSPs change over the coming months?
Every reseller will have to keep adapting as restrictions change and the advice on workplace safety evolves. It's up to us all as individuals to find our own optimum way of working in the months ahead, and I'm sure everyone will get more adept at using video chat tools to do business differently - even if I personally miss the face-to-face conversations with our customers that help me really get to know them and their organisations.
See next page for Arkphire Services' Edel Creely's answers
