https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Services Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Information Center
    • 2021 MSP 501 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Top Gun 51
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Services Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Information Center
    • 2021 MSP 501 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Top Gun 51
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Agents
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • Channel Partners Events
 Channel Futures

Telephony/UC/Collaboration


Geek Squad Signs Four Master Agents

  • Written by Kelly
  • May 25, 2012
The Best Buy companys partner program is relatively new and its field-services model should appeal to agents and resellers that may not have the in-house support resources.

Four master agents keen to add field services to their portfolios have signed with Geek Squad, Best Buys tech support division.

Network Solutions Provider, Carrier Access Inc., Access Media 3 and MACH 4 all have joined the new program, which launched at the Spring 2012 Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. Geek Squad is recruiting master agents, network and cabling experts, and IP telephony systems resellers to sell its phone, online and on-site IT help desk support, except for hardware repair, to SMBs around the country. Geek Squad employees do the actual work, a model that appeals to partners.

“Working with Geek Squad will help our clients reduce customer downtime, save money and help create a better customer experience,” said Phillip Walker, CEO of Network Solutions Provider.

Each of the newly signed master agents will offer Geek Squad Office Support, which means Geek Squad agents are available around-the-clock via phone, online chat, remote help and with an option for on-site support. The agencies also will sell PC, mobile, networking and infrastructure support services. Those plans cover diagnostics and repair, client and server administration, network integration including network, firewall, VPN and server support and data backup and transfers. Ideal end users have one to 20 computers in their offices and cannot afford a full-time IT expert. The standard Geek Squad package, billed at a per-seat price each month, encompasses network integration, client and server administration, and diagnostics and repair. The advanced package comes with those same services, but costs more because it also includes unlimited on-site diagnostics and repair.

But Geek Squad targets residential customers, too, through channel partners one of which now is Access Media 3. The company sells broadband, television and voice services to consumers; adding Geek Squads troubleshooting expertise for PCs, email, MP3s, software and printers strengthens Access Media 3s value, an executive said.

It’s like having a concierge on call for a resident’s network and connected devices,” said Eric Welles, senior vice president of business development at Access Media 3.

For Geek Squads parent company, Best Buy, opening itself to the indirect channel means reach into new clientele.

By teaming up with these well-established partners, we’re able to continue to expand our footprint in to the SMB space and help provide enterprise-level services at price points that SMBs can afford,” said Brian Hutto, vice president of Best Buy Services. 

Partner support includes interactive, Web-based training, as well as a portal with co-branded sales and marketing materials. The company also employs a dedicated channel accounts team, led by AJ McDougall, senior director of strategic partnerships, and Al Afflitto, partnerships manager.

Further, Geek Squad pays one-time and residual compensation. Partners will earn a lump sum that equals the amount of the first month’s revenue for example, if an end user commits to the minimum 12-month contract for $500 per month, the partner receives a one-time $500 payout as well as residual commissions based on volume. Geek Squad declined to disclose its recurring commission rates, but said they are in the double digits.

Tags: Agents Business Models New/Changing Channel Programs Telephony/UC/Collaboration

Most Recent


  • Joint selling
    Tanium Unveils New Technology Partner Program for Joint Solutions
    Access to real-time endpoint data promotes zero-trust security.
  • Business building block growth
    So You Want to Build a Microsoft Practice? Here's What It Will Take
    “It's a labor of love, and it didn't happen overnight," Jim Campbell of Opkalla said.
  • trophy
    Verizon, AT&T Among Avaya Partner of the Year Award Winners
    Who was awarded the overall U.S. Partner of the Year for total growth?
  • Eight, 8
    8 Takeaways You Need to Know from AWS’ Public Sector Summit
    Get the scoop from Jeffrey Kratz, who now leads the vendor’s public sector partner program.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Cloud Phone
    AT&T to Offer Up to 1 Million Customers Cisco Webex Calling
  • Sign a Contract
    Unisys Adds Managed UCaaS with $153 Million Unify Square Acquisition
  • Fortune 500 2021 logo
    AT&T, Microsoft, Verizon, More Tech, Telco Companies Make Latest Fortune 500
  • Telephone poles and lines
    Granite Buys Epik: Score One for Legacy Telecom

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Europe

June 14, 2022 - June 15, 2022

MSP Summit

September 13, 2022 - September 16, 2022

Galleries

View all

IBM, F5, Appgate, Axonius, CyberGRX Among ‘Must-See’ Vendors at RSA

May 25, 2022

So You Want to Build a Microsoft Practice? Here’s What It Will Take

May 25, 2022

Cisco Hybrid Cloud Trends Report Indicates Important Uptake

May 25, 2022

Industry Perspectives

View all

Leverage Your MSP’s People Power

May 24, 2022

How SD-WAN Helps Secure the Expanding Network Perimeter

May 19, 2022

A Sneak Peek at the 2022 BrightCloud Threat Report

May 17, 2022

Webinars

View all

Simplifying SaaS Security for MSPs

April 27, 2022

How to Supercharge The Network to Support Your IT Superhero Moves

May 3, 2022

The 2022 MSP Challenge: Scale Service Delivery Despite the Talent Gap

April 21, 2022

White Papers

View all

Work Goes Remote – (and Other Top ITOps Trends)

May 25, 2022

The New Bottom Line: How MSPs Can Meet the Healthcare Crisis While Evolving Their Businesses

April 19, 2022

How to build a Security Operations Center (on a budget)

April 4, 2022

Channel Futures TV

View all

AT&T, Microsoft, Cisco, ThreatLocker on Unlocking Partner Potential

Agents Share ‘Secrets,’ Industry Opportunity

May 11, 2022

Vonage Addresses Potential Partner Opportunity via Acquisition by Ericsson

May 5, 2022

Lumen Technologies ‘Built for Growth and Scale’

May 4, 2022

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@Tanium launches new Technology Partner Program. #endpointdata dlvr.it/SR3pvw https://t.co/5DL6gvTAhX

May 25, 2022
ChannelFutures

EMA's picks for must-see vendors at next month's @RSAConference: @AppGateSecurity, @AxoniusInc, @coalfire,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 25, 2022
ChannelFutures

Jim Campbell of @opkalla shared how the consultancy built a Microsoft gold partner CSP business in 18 months.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 25, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@Nable's new N-hanced Services empower partners to leverage N-able’s full breadth of experience and expertise, the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 25, 2022
ChannelFutures

Work Goes Remote – (and Other Top ITOps Trends) dlvr.it/SR3d06

May 25, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@ConnectWise adds two executives to its leadership team: Todd Hale as CIO and Ciaran Chu as GM of ConnectWise Cont… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 25, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@Intuit vet joining @McAfee as its new president and CEO. #cybersecurity dlvr.it/SR3c0s https://t.co/GH5cJzTq8F

May 25, 2022
ChannelFutures

Verbal and written interactions contribute to the way we communicate and work with others. Join us tomorrow for a v… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 25, 2022

MSSP Insider

Business advice for MSSPs and news from the broader security channel.

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Galleries

Educational slide shows and images from live events.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Events
  • Telecoms.com
  • MSP 501
  • Black Hat
  • IoT World Today
  • Omdia

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X