Discover Tech-as-a-Service with Business Development Manager Alex Fitzhugh

Tech Data’s Tech-as-a-Service (TaaS) program is a comprehensive and completely scalable solution that combines the latest hardware, software and services into a single subscription price. Recently, Tech Data Authority talked with TaaS Business Development Manager (BDM), Alex Fitzhugh, to learn more about this solution and how it can help technology resellers and end users.

Thanks for joining us Alex! To start, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do for partners at Tech Data?

Currently, I’m the TaaS BDM here at Tech Data. I come from a technology and financial background, having held positions in mortgage, software, sales and of course, distribution. As the TaaS BDM my goal is to help Tech data customers grow their business and stay ahead of the competition. I also help our partners provide co-branded marketing and various end-user facing resources, such as repeatable customizable bundles with vendor-specific products. My overall goal is to understand the end-user customer: I’m here to help them build the right TaaS solution to meet their specific needs and budget.

Oh, and let’s not forget – I have a cute little fox terrier named Carmen.

What is Tech-as-a-Service (TaaS) and what does the service entail?

TaaS is a vendor-agnostic solution bundling program designed for end-users who want to transition to a recurring refresh cycle deploying the latest technology on a single invoice. TaaS works best on a 24-month or 36-month term. However, customers can scale up or down throughout the course of their subscription. We offer flexible billing as well—monthly, quarterly, or yearly.

What benefits does TaaS bring to the customer? To the end user?

There’s a bunch of benefits to TaaS!

For resellers, there are three main benefits. First, they get expedited cash flow relief – this means upfront, in-full payments, all significantly increasing the amount of cash days. Second, the accelerated refresh cycle will enhance and extend loyalty through automatic re-engagement at the end of the subscription period. Finally, expanded capabilities enable resellers to deliver specialized services that help drive productivity and decrease costs.

End users can of course expect predicable lower costs and access to the latest technology as a result. TaaS can also improve employee productivity and experience by unburdening day-to-day management with the latest technology. The best part is, TaaS is completely flexible, so they can add or remove technology hardware according to their demands.

What product and offerings can be bundled into a TaaS deal?

Any and all endpoint products are eligible for this program. Customers also have the ability to bundle hardware, premium vendor warranties, third-party offerings for call support and remote management, security solutions like Tech Data’s RECON suite reseller managed services, and any other elements the end user may require.

Is TaaS customizable for different verticals? Additionally, what kind of product options should partners expect?

Yes, TaaS is flexible to meet the needs of different verticals. All requests are considered on a deal-by-deal basis, but most commonly we see annual billing or four-year options in the Public Sector space.

Are there any other financial solutions Tech Data offers to help partners implement new technology solutions?

Of course. Tech Data offers traditional financing options as well, which include a fair market value lease, $1 Buyout lease, or an Installment Payment Agreement. . We even have a consumption program for the data center. If you would like more information on those, reach out to the Tech Data financing team at financingteam@techdata.com.

Anything else to add? Where can partners go to learn more about TaaS at Tech Data?  

I would like to point out that TaaS does not have a buyout option - the end of the subscription term will always be completed by the return of the hardware on the agreement. 

Also, TaaS solutions must always include some piece of hardware. If there is no hardware component and the end user is requesting a monthly payment, they would be better served by one of our other financial programs.

Finally, if you would like more information on our TaaS program, you can visit our TaaS website or email the TaaS team at TaaS@techdata.com.

About the Author

Adi Moussa is a project specialist for Tech Data