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Blue Solutions Ltd., a specialist software distributor, was founded over 12 years ago by Darren Stokes and Mark Charleton. Originally producing computer hardware, the company gravitated towards software distribution and is, today, one of the few specialist software distributors in the UK.
The company was one of the very early entrants to the e-commerce market, and now transacts around half of its business via its website. Customers can easily find the item, price and stock level of the product they are searching for, from the 64,000 SKU’s available on-line, obtain a quote (if they need one for their customer) and place an order. Blue Solutions are proud that most orders placed before 5:30 will be delivered the next day.
Indeed, it is because of the nature of their re-sellers businesses, that Blue Solutions has put so much effort into their web-site. Many of Blue Solutions customers will spend as much time as possible out solving their own clients problems and only be able to organise requirements and place orders after the close of business, early in the mornings or on weekends.
With a customer base in the thousands, most clients are small businesses who rely upon the high level of service, expert advice and next day delivery that Blue Solutions provides. Furthermore, Blue Solutions are one of the few distributors who offer credit facilities to smaller companies who find it difficult, if not impossible, to reach the turnover levels required by most other suppliers.
Licensing
One of the features that makes Blue Solutions website so attractive to its re-seller customers, is the on-line license configurator. This allows the more knowledgeable customers to place their orders direct on line for software license renewals. However, licensing is a very complex, constantly changing market, which requires a very high degree of product knowledge, rarely found in the smaller OEM and IT service companies, which is why Blue Solutions has a dedicated licensing team to help their customers. Dealing either over the phone or by email, the licensing team are able to guide their customers through the maze of different SKU’s available, and make sure that the customers get the most cost effective solution for their requirements.
Hardware
In order to provide a more comprehensive service to their customers, Blue Solutions have recently started to offer a limited range of hardware, again aimed at small businesses. They are able to supply very competitively supplied HP desktops and laptops as well as the full range of Netgear products. As the company provides around 10% of the Small Business Server Market in the UK, they have also added a range of HP Servers and Tape drives as well.
Personal Service
The level of service that Blue Solutions provides to its regular re-sellers is enhanced by providing them with dedicated account handlers, giving them an individual that can be contacted at a direct dial phone number. The account handlers naturally get to know their re-sellers, how they like to do business and will bend over backwards to help where they can.
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