Infographic Brick by Brick: Anatomy of a Solutions Integrator

Infographic text included for screen readers:

Brick by Brick: Anatomy of a Solutions Integrator

Mind the gap

Technology brands & Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)

Technology brands build products, but need a third party with the right technical capabilities to help customers:

• Innovate and build on top of products.
• Tailor products to specific needs.
• Maximize product value to drive adoption.

Solutions Integrator fills the gap

84% of organizations rely on a third-party IT partner to plan and/or execute digital transformation strategies¹[VJ2]

Clients

Companies invest in technology products to support their business, but need help from a third party to:

• Fill a knowledge/skills gap.
• Expertly integrate products & solutions.
• Optimize technology use and maximize value.
• Plan and/or execute digital transformation.

What is a Solutions Integrator?

A Solutions Integrator is an emerging technology partner category. They help organizations architect, acquire, connect, automate, secure and manage technology to serve their business ambitions.

A Solutions Integrator leads the way, strategically maps your technology ecosystem, breaks down technology silos and manages any IT initiative from a holistic vantage point.

From many, to one.

A Solutions Integrator: connecting all the right pieces

A Solutions Integrator provides a comprehensive solution to a business problem by combining the power of people, process and technology. Unique to other technology partners, a Solutions Integrator offers vast technology expertise, a comprehensive portfolio of services and deep partnerships with leading vendors.

One technology partner. End-to-end solutions and services.

IT consulting

• Advisory services to assess current-state and create a strategic IT roadmap
• Strategic, architectural and operational
  • May have expertise in select industries, prohibiting their ability to draw on unique solutions in other verticals
  • Recommends what a company should do, but can’t provide the how

A Solutions Integrator has vast industry expertise and a depth of knowledge to provide holistic technology strategy, in-house talent and partnerships for execution.

Value-Added Reseller (VAR)

• Is focused on procurement, a traditional VAR is a hardware and software reseller with additional services attached (such as implementation or maintenance).
• Acts as the conduit between your business and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and software publisher ecosystems.
• May bundle hardware and software for “one-stop-shop” technology.
• Can customize Individual Software Vendor (ISV) products for added value (but typically only for a single product or use case).
  • Can’t provide strategic planning or systems integration.
  • Can’t deliver on digital innovation initiatives.

A Solutions Integrator provides the built-in benefits of a VAR, plus strategic planning, vendor-agnostic recommendations and integration expertise.

Managed Service Provider (MSP)

• Offers management, maintenance and support for networking, security, applications, mobility and/or infrastructure on a proactive and as-needed basis.
• Provides subscription services to enable an OpEx financial model.
• Is a cost-effective IT outsourcing option, especially for small business.
• Can fill knowledge gaps or provide additional support for newer technologies.
  • Is not designed to work in partnership with internal IT teams.
  • Has limited flexibility and expertise.
  • Can provide siloed IT decisions.

A Solutions Integrator, like Insight, has the scale, expertise, methodologies and tools to relieve the business of daily operational demands in key areas:

• Cloud management
• Security and governance
• Workforce technologies
• Core stack

Systems Integrator (SI)

• Combines disparate hardware, software, networking or storage solutions into an integrated computing system.
• Specializes in planning, coordinating, implementing, testing, improving and sometimes maintaining large-scale technology projects.
• Creates the platform for innovation.
  • Is not suitable for small or mid-size organizations.
  • May have a limited scope of expertise.

A Solutions Integrator works on projects of varying scales and not only creates the platform for innovation, but also has the experience and capability to digitally innovate.  

A Solutions Integrator connects all the pieces to unlock the power of people and technology.

• Technology procurement
• Deep partner relationships
• Modern platforms
• Innovation capabilities

Citations

¹ Insight and Foundry. (Feb. 2023). The Path to Digital Transformation: Where Leaders Stand in 2023.