Hardware as a Rental: How to Prepare Your Customers for the Future of Technology

Resistance is futile! If you are trying to go the way of the future, you may be pleased to learn HaaS and Cloud aren’t your only options. HaaR® is nearly identical to HaaS, except you are using GreatAmerica funds and not your own to acquire the equipment. HaaR is also great for your customers. Here are the top four ways it helps businesses prepare for future IT costs:

#1 KEEPS CUSTOMERS UP-TO-SPEED WITH TECHNOLOGY

A 2009 prediction from Cisco estimates a 20-time increase in home networking speeds by 2019. The computers of today will not be able to handle the applications and services of tomorrow. By offer your customers the technology on a fixed monthly budget, and set them up for a future upgrade with the latest and greatest technology.

#2 PROTECTS YOUR CLIENTS FROM AGING EQUIPMENT

Consumer Reports say 1 in 3 laptops and desktops break by their fourth year, with many warranties lasting only one year. Waiting until their technology breaks is not the way of the future, in fact that will do more harm your customers more in the long run with costly maintenance. Prepare your customers to upgrade your computers regularly, so you don’t lose productivity because of technology.

#3 CONTROLS YOUR CUSTOMERS IT COSTS

Many clients have a history of acquiring their IT investments with cash. That can mean that they are having to making capital budget decisions, delaying the acquisition. This example projects about eight years of an IT budget out, comparing the unpredictable capital purchase of a $10,000 system with predictable IT budget on the same system (see 1: Example of $10,000 Project).

As the red line indicates, cash sales have large upfront costs and no predictable refresh cycle. In contrast, the blue line shows what a 36-month plan would look like for the same equipment. The standard payment is around $330 every month, and the customer gets new technology ever three years.

#4 FREES UP CUSTOMER CASH

As a shrewd business owner, you know that you have to be resourceful when it comes to your budget. Your customers are the same way. As a trusted advisor you have the opportunity to encourage your clients to use their capital to invest in the things that generate revenue rather than on the things that will be replaced a short way down the road.

If you decide that a program like this can help set yourself and your customers up for future success, GreatAmerica has custom programs built with competitive lease rates for MSPAlliance Certified Members.

Please contact us to learn what other perks come with the certification program.

About the Author Jackie Schmid is the Director of Strategic Marketing of the Unified Communications & IT Group at GreatAmerica Financial Services located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In this role, Jackie is responsible for building brand awareness and gaining strategic relationships through creative marketing. Jackie’s leasing career began in 2011 when she joined GreatAmerica to support the sales team serving the Office Equipment space.

Prior to joining GreatAmerica, Jackie worked in the TV News industry as a producer and executive producer at the local CBS and FOX stations where she helped shape the programs delivered to the market.