The number of work from home situations due to the CoVID-19 pandemic is growing. Business owners are allowing employees to continue business activities from the safety of their homes. Governments are issuing social isolation and quarantine directives.
An increasing number of businesses are facing issues with customer retention and demand, and combating a worldwide economic slump. But there are two industries in particular that nudge towards growing sales figures. Those are electronic and IT retailers and manufacturers.
As of March 2020, South Korean based electronic giant Samsung reported a 20% increase in exports for semiconductors (the information chips used to keep computerized devices working). The reason for this is simple, we need the hardware!
While we attempt to recreate our working environments at home, being realistic about the components needed is extremely crucial. From laptop and desktop computers to peripheral devices that offer networking, communication and other enabling capabilities, every work from home employee needs to be equipped to operate as close to normal output as possible.
The increase in telecommunication requirements from Tier 1 countries including the United States, as well as gravely affected international marketplace China is enough to drive manufacturers to start building more and faster. Growing your business as an IT manufacturer or retailer has never been easier.
Benefits are not just capitalised on by South Korea. In Japan, laptop computer manufacturer Dynabook faced similar rises in demand due to the teleworking shift. While their rival company explains a growing want for their embedded speakers and other laptop accompaniments.
The same information was relayed by Australian electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi. They saw accelerated demand geared towards what they describe as “essential products”.
Adapt to change
“With more people working and learning from home during the outbreak, there has been a rising demand for internet services … meaning data centres need bigger pipes to carry the traffic,” – Park Sung-Soon
What becomes apparent is the work from home experience is no longer limited to sitting in any open spot available in your home and plonking down your computer hoping for the best.
Employees working from home want to recreate the same results they get amidst all the amenities available in their workspaces. The teleworking wave wants to equip their homes leaving no room for “I wanted to do this but didn’t have…”.
The global pandemic is herding those partaking in business to keep moving. The reason is simple, most industries are dependent on each other. They work in enhancing or offering an alternative for a product or service.
Within China, large scale technology companies are expanding their cloud storage features to accommodate the large volumes of data exchange now happening on the internet. Other tech behemoths followed suit offering subsidized costing and even free use of their services.
The rise in the need for IT software is booming. Intelligent companies realise that while offering lower-priced or even free of cost services may hurt their income, they are creating something more powerful, i.e. brand value.
Customers respond positively to companies that empathise with their shared plight. This could work well to retain customers post quarantine.
Looking to break-In?
Business owners, if you’re looking to break even or achieve profitability through the IT hardware or software industry but are unsure where to start, this might be a good starting point.
IT hardware resellers and software retailers are making safe incomes by selling online through various eCommerce platforms. The automation aspect of being able to purchase online minimises human contact from order placement to delivery.
Increase online sales by offering crisp information about the changes and additions made to your business process to further ensure the wellbeing of your customers, e.g. mandatory gloves, masks and sanitiser stations, sterilising all packing material, etc.
While trying to build your online presence or further validate your existing one, your eCommerce store is crucial. The crisper and more aesthetic your online platform is, the more likely customers are to purchase. This includes ensuring your online presence is easy to understand and navigate.
For those unsure of where to begin looking for the best-suited platform for your business, Take a look at the VAR business model.
The VARStreet difference
VARStreet is an automated sales and procurement platform built keeping the needs of an IT reseller in mind. The application comes with ready integration with 45+ IT and office supplies distributors.
It also offers a customisable eCommerce portal that can be customized to suit your business industry as well as incorporate niche requirements.VARStreet works with 15,000 users globally and manages over $7 billion in secured transactions annually.
One-stop solution to sell IT online
The company offers a suite of software solutions to maximise your customer interactions and business activities. These are:
1. Sales quotation software
Used to build professional quotes that can be sent for B2B and B2G transactions. The software accommodates even complex technical specifications and offers a streamlined approach towards completing transactions.
Click here for more information on the sales quotation software.
2. eCommerce platform
An exceptionally detail-oriented yet easy to use platform. This takes customisation to the next level; offering micro and macro additions to make your storefront feel truly yours.
Truly make your eCommerce platform your own by capitalizing on the software’s overall branding capabilities. Grow your business by catering your storefronts to your clients. Offer them a one of a kind tailor-made experience, (e.g. look, feel, products, pricing, shipping and payment methods).
Have a look at the eCommerce platform here.
3. CRM software
The Customer Relationship Management software allows critical purchasing information and trends to be relayed to your sales teams for more optimised approaches.
The VARStreet CRM eliminates duplication by integrating it with the quoting model. This allows sales personnel to access complete data for every customer account.
Know more about the FREE CRM.
4. Sourcing and procurement
Costing is an important part of sourcing. How do you ensure you are not just getting the best deal but are able to validate quality and access distributor information? VARStreet offers the simplest way to increase your profit margins; sourcing right.
The sourcing and procurement functionality allows you to maintain real-time watch over distributor prices and inventory availability along with the ability to implement the necessary changes within the same portal.
Hunting for distributors? It stops with VARStreet that offers a ready list of over 45 verified IT and office supplies distributors within the United States and Canada.
Crisp, clean and rich content is now easily achievable. VARStreet helps you integrate detailed images, technology specifications, related products, descriptions, etc. Anything you feel will enhance your customer experience, VARStreet offers.
Read more on how VARStreet helps you source right!
5. Marketing
Welcome your brand into the digital age of marketing with a bang! VARStreet offers the best in online marketing tools to enhance brand visibility and image. Capitalise on the email marketing, SEO and social media integration features to spread the word.
New-age marketing features for your online store.
6. Reporting and analytics
Need to understand how well your business is doing? The reporting and analytics capabilities offered by VARStreet help you keep tabs on real-time figures of your sales cycles and make better-informed business decisions.
And a lot more!
Selling with VARStreet is not limited to its extensive software catalog. The company offers a range of additional benefits that help both back and front end users maneuver their activities with ease.
- Customization extends to the workflows as well. Set up your own bundles or automated workflows to ease the complexities of staff and product management within your business.
- Ensure your business activities are compliant with your government contract. VARStreet has extensive experience with Federal, State and local governments.
- Integrate your VARStreet application with any major ERP, CRM and accounting systems available worldwide, create your own custom business experience.
- PunchOut with major procurement systems like Ariba, SAP, JD Edwards, Oracle Financials, etc.
The comprehensive software elements allow you an in-depth look into every cog functioning to run the machine that is your corporate entity. The user-friendly dashboards allow even the least tech-savvy to familiarize themselves with the pertinent components and how they operate.
Read more about VARStreet Here
Capitalise on this time to boost your IT reselling platform both in terms of sales and brand value. Use the right tools to enable your vision. VARStreet is a great start. Don’t let the prevailing fear hold you back from valid business activities. The time is now!
