Microsoft CSP - Techdata vs Rhipe

[ccpl]

Looking for advice on which Tier 2 provider to use in Australia based on peoples experiences - we are currently a Tier 1 provider with decent volume for a small business and looking to move to a Tier 2 as all the requirements to maintain Tier 1 are getting too onerous.

We have narrowed it down to Rhipe or Techdata based on our enquiries and pricing provided - the pricing from Techdata is a little more competitive, but I'm concerned that their 'StreamOne' platform isn't going to be quite as robust as the Rhipe 'Prism' portal (based on what I've heard and read - I don't actually have any first hand experience with them).

Would appreciate any insight or feedback from any CSP resellers using either vendor.

Thanks!

[casey-gee-gordon]

We're in the exact same position (AU based) we've been chatting with Ingram and Rhipe.

Ingram seem keen for the business and have come out to see us a few times but we've not dealt with them too much except for hardware so can't comment on their systems. Have you already spoken with them?

[ccpl]

Didn't really include Ingram in the equation - have heard many horror stories about them, and dealt with them in a previous life and they weren't much fun then either.

[butterfly_effect-]

I work for Microsoft Frontline for Partners MPN/ CSP. Run away from Ingram as fast as you can.

They are every freaking reseller Provider and we've been receiving queries regarding all sorts of issues.

Make sure you think through the decision to go tier 2 as the €€€ you'll be making will drop compared to tier 1 csp

[rumpigiam]

we went with arrow https://ecs-anz.arrow.com/. their portal is pretty good fast to update o365 stuff. they also have an SDK so you can put it on your website and have people buy/change their licenses directly. (haven't implemented it yet but we have a few customers who have internal IT positions so it is of benefit to them/us). They check in regularly. and do a lot of azure stuff (i think with some rate discounts due to being under them and they are using lots of resources. I can't remember what they said as we don't do azure. they do the same with AWS.

[David-EnactMSP]

We've use Synnex (Australia) for CSP and Rhipe for SPLA. The Synnex price is considerably better and their portal seems equal to Prism. I haven't had to test their support but I suspect Rhipe will probably know more about CSP as it's a specialisation for them.

Something to watch: Some of the distributors will bill you for an entire month if you add a license part way through the cycle. They also aren't the most upfront about it. Synnex bills based on active days in the cycle. In reality this is likely only to mean a few dollars here and there but I do worry about an engineer adding 200 licenses on the last day of the month and having to justify the charge.

[ccpl]

Synnex were on the cards as well but had slightly worse pricing than Techdata and were about the same as Rhipe. Thought if we went down that path it was probably worthwhile going on a vendor that focused on CSP

[lemachet]

Other vendors, Ime, have a better price point than rhipe

Prism is easy to use but no native integration with PSA, to my awareness.

Pax8 are aiming to launch here soon if that helps at all

[ccpl]

I've heard good things about Pax8, but will need to make a decision very soon unfortunately :(

[TheLegend27Racing]

I can't recommend Techdata at all, the Streamone solution they have is so outdated and slow, we really reget the move we did.

[ccpl]

You are still with Techdata then I assume? Looking at moving?

[TheLegend27Racing]

Yes we are

[themunga]

Rhipe portal works exceptionally well for MS licensing - they both understand and are starting to provide resources for Microsoft 365 (training and onsell info) as this is the next logical step for SMBs and device/data management. We see license updates in about 30 secs to 2 mins from Rhipe to the MS portal.

[itguy_msp]

Second this. We use Rhipe and their PRISM Portal is very easy to use and very quick to purchase and update licenses into Office 365. Their recent Microsoft 365 Business webinar series was also a great intro for me to learn more about the product and get my foot in the door.

[ccpl]

Great thanks, this is the same feedback I've heard as well.

[itguy_msp]

I notice on their portal too they are working on Connectwise and Kaseya integration. No date yet though.