ARTICLES BY MIKE MONOCELLO
A New Breed Of POS VAR Is Coming For Your Customers
I just read Business Solutions writer Matt Pillar's upcoming feature article on POS startup Congruity Solutions. If this article -- which will appear in our May issue -- doesn't serve as a wake up call for POS dealers, I'm not sure what will. Here's the gist: Chris Pace, CEO of Congruity Solutions was a business analyst for a healthcare organization when his friend, who operates a coffee shop , asked Pace for help in getting a...
Continue Reading..
Cloud POS Fails When The Internet Cuts Out: Fact Or Fiction?
Today's topic comes to you complements of the many readers with whom our team has spoken that believe a downside of cloud-based POS is that if the Internet is down or the power goes out, a cloud-based POS system is dead in the water. While I can't speak for the many -- many -- cloud POS software solutions out there, I can safely say that the reputable ones have this figured out.
Continue Reading..
Why Every VAR, MSP Should Sell Mobile Device Management
The other day I was reading a white paper we produced for an RMM (remote monitoring and management) provider on the topic of Mobile Device Management (MDM), and it struck me that this is a service you could be offering your customers. As a solutions provider, you should always be looking to increase your value-add. Indeed, in some cases, your value-add is all you have to stand apart from your competition. Whether you or your customers...
Continue Reading..
“Retail as a Service” Is About Survival, Increasing The Value Of Your Business
Since RSPA INSPIRE back in January, the topic of “Retail as a Service” has been top of my mind. We’ve been writing a lot about how this business model can — with some effort, admittedly – create a more stable flow of revenue and lead to a more profitable business.
Continue Reading..
Does Your Mobile Printer Manufacturer Believe In Its Own Products?
I’m frustrated and confused today. And, feeling sorry for many VARs in the mobile printing game. As part of our planning for an upcoming 4-inch rugged mobile label printers product review, I had calls with 11 companies that manufacturer such printers. What I found was that the majority of manufacturers think that their latest printers aren’t the greatest in the field.
Continue Reading..
7 IP Video Mistakes That Make You Look Dumb
For some time now, I’ve been advising IT integrators to add IP video surveillance technologies to their line cards. After all, you own the relationship with your customer, IP networking is old hat to you, and (more often than not nowadays) IP solutions require integration with the systems you’ve already put in place.
Continue Reading..
Who Makes The Best 4-Inch Mobile Label Printer?
Today's answer to the above headline is "I don't know." However, by the time our May issue rolls around, I'll know. You see, I've been up to my eyeballs working on this upcoming product review for Business Solutions. So far, it's shaping up to become what I think will be a very valuable comparison.
Continue Reading..
3 Roadblocks To Retail's -As-A-Service Transition
Today, I began assembling the editorial for an upcoming issue of Business Solutions. We did a call for thought leadership where we asked industry experts to weigh in on the biggest topics for key verticals. When it came to retail, a common theme referenced was the "-as-a-Service" business model. Not surprising, really.
Continue Reading..
Who's Going To Fund Retail's Shift To The As-A-Service Model?
One of the hottest topics at the recently-held RSPA INSPIRE conference was the services model. Understand, I'm not talking about offering services to your customers. Rather, I'm referring to combining your offerings (hardware, software, security, support, payment processing, remote monitoring, etc.) into bundles for which you can charge your customers a monthly fee. Let's call it POS-as-a-Service (or P-a-a-S?).
Continue Reading..
The Voices In Your Head Are Lying: IP Video *Is* For You
During a recent security-related conference, one of the speakers said to the audience that if they couldn't "speak IT" they wouldn't last very long in today's sales conversations. So true, however, I'm not sure if many IT integrators really understand how strong their position is -- or could be.
Continue Reading..