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(CIOZone) By Mel Duvall
Office products retailer Staples is aiming to be a bigger player in the corporate IT market with the launch Tuesday of a new business unit providing IT services.
The company announced the launch of Staples Technology Solutions, which it says offers business customers -- from small to medium-sized businesses to Fortune 1000 clients -- a full range of offerings, from data center solutions to printer fleet management services.
The move marks a significant departure from the company’s core business selling paper clips, paper, ink jet cartridges and other office supplies primarily to consumers and small business customers. However, it builds upon two acquisitions the company made in recent years, the 2006 purchase of Thrive Networks, a managed services provider, and the 2008 acquisition of the imaging and computer graphics supply business of Corporate Express.
Staples noted that it already serves as the de facto IT department for many smaller businesses -- those in the 25 to 50 employee range -- and that the new offerings will allow it to grow that segment of its business. Staples is offering to act as an extension of an in-house IT department or to take over running an organization’s IT operations.
Some of the services being offered by Staples Technology Solutions include:
- Technology experts, including certified specialists to help customers make technology choices.
- Managed services, including on-site and remote server and desktop support for Apple, Microsoft and Linux platforms.
- Printing solutions, including printer fleet management services.
- Data center assessments and solutions. Offerings range from such services as sub-floor cleaning, to 24/7 data center emergency supply service
- Procurement services, to manage corporate IT purchasing needs.
Analysts say Staples' decision to move deeper into IT services makes sense given its large, nationwide footprint and the growing need for IT support. According to research firm IDC, small and medium-sized businesses are expected to spend about $162 billion on IT in 2012, a sizable jump from the $127 billion spent in 2008.
“As organizations of all sizes are tasked with doing more with fewer resources, enlisting the help of a small number of trusted partners becomes increasingly attractive,” Bob Laliberte, a senior analyst at the Enterprise Strategy Group, said in a statement.
Staples offered up the Boston Celtics organization as an example of the type of business it serves.
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