GreatAmerica, Collabrance: A New Master MSP?

Collabrance, an emerging subsidiary of GreatAmerica Leasing Corp., sounds like it is taking a fresh look at the Master MSP market — offering managed services to independent telecommunication, office equipment and IT dealers. Collabrance, which just launched a new website, claims to “help technology resellers provide IT services and support to their customers.” Specifically, Collabrance promotes security, communication and data protection services to reseller partners.

No doubt, the Master MSP market has had hits and misses. Companies like Virtual Administrator continue to serve resellers and MSPs across North America. And distributors like Ingram Micro have evolved their master MSP services (Ingram Micro Seismic) into cloud services (Ingram Micro Cloud). But the Master MSP market has also had its share of setbacks and major evolutions. MSP Services Network (MSPSN), a once-promising Master MSP, exited the market about a year ago. And Do IT Smarter, acquired last year, has repositioned and transitioned its MSP partners to other companies.

Points of Differentiation

So how is Collabrance different? Perhaps the answer involves the target partner market. Generally speaking, most Master MSPs pursued traditional IT resellers and VARs as partners/customers. But Collabrance is clearly targeting office equipment deals — potential jargon for the copier and printer channels.

Collabrance offers white-label services, so partners can brand and customize the solution, and sell it to their SMB end-users under their own names. Collbarance’s goal is to help its technology partners incorporate managed services into their day-to-day operations. They also help partners scale their operations to remain competitive.

GreatAmerica, meanwhile, is well-known as a financing company within the MSP market. In October 2011, GreatAmerica partnered with MWA Intelligence Inc. (MWAI) on a managed print services offering, and now comes the Collabrance push. We’ll be watching those efforts for signs of progress and business milestones.

Additional insights from Nicholas Mukhar.