OnForce Preps MarketView Tool for VARs
Imagine if you could analyze IT services trends across the United States–in real time. That vision could soon become a reality, thanks to OnForce, an online marketplace that matches VARs with IT projects across the country.
Using data culled from the OnForce marketplace, VARs might be able to examine IT pricing and service trends down to the Zip Code level. How much does a typical VoIP engagement cost in New York vs. Denver? How strong is demand for Linux in Houston vs. Orlando? The implications are clear: The forthcoming OnForce MarketView tool could allow VARs to more effectively plan local, regional and national IT support strategies.
While details are still emerging, OnForce will likely provide VARs and IT media companies with an API that allows them to gather and analyze data from the marketplace. The system will only provide macro-level information, protecting individual VAR and customer privacy.
Separately, new OnForce CEO Peter Cannone is seeking to develop partnerships with major online resellers such as PC Connection (his former employer) and CDW. During a conference call with The VAR Guy on Monday, Cannone described how big dot-com resellers need services experts across the control to deploy and support the equipment they sell. Cannone declined to say if any major partnerships were pending. But a visit to OnForce’s offices on Thursday convinced The VAR Guy that the company is buzzing with activity.