Jan-Feb 2020 - ChannelVision Magazine

T he technology distribu- tion landscape is getting smaller and smaller, due to heavy M&A activity among master agents – leaving people looking around asking, “who’s next?” Not all companies, however, are up for grabs. While the space may be con- solidating at a rapid pace, some master agents – such as Stamford, Connecticut’s P2 Telecom – are bucking the trend by choosing to shun offers and continue operating independently. We spoke with P2 founder and CEO Bill Patchett, who confirmed that despite the interest that he’s seeing, his company has no plans to change ownership now, or in the near future. “Make no mistake about it,” Patch- ett said. “P2 telecom is not for sale. We plan to continue operating as an independent distributor of tele- communications and cloud services throughout 2020, and beyond. That’s something you can count on.” According to Patchett, distribu- tors are being attracted by user- friendly SaaS platforms that prom- ise to streamline the delivery of technology services. Yet while such platforms can help with some pro- cesses, they don’t always provide the best business outcomes. “You can’t run your entire business model over a platform and expect it to perform magic,” Patchett said. “In order to suc- ceed, agents need comprehensive, integrated services and support including training and guidance; a diverse network of products; favorable purchasing agreements; and turnkey support. We offer all of these features, and since we’re independent we are able to put the needs of our agents first. This is our biggest differentiator.” In addition, P2 is known for providing in-depth training and educational resources to partners. For example, P2 participated in an educational ChannelVision webinar in January, and has another webi- nar scheduled through ChannelVi- sion on March 4. The company also offers a dedicated knowledge base on its website called Insights, which is a content catalog offer- ing a continuous feed of what’s trending in the SMB space, how businesses view technology and insights on how to grow your business and bottom line. Insights also features new dis- cussion forums, providing opportu- nities for partners to ask questions and share ideas to fuel business growth. “If you’re looking for a reliable master agent offering, look no fur- ther than P2,” Patchett concluded. “We have the resources and connec- tions to help you thrive in the North American market.” The Wireless Report MOBILE & WIRELESS Bill Patchett, founder and CEO of P2 Business Solutions Sponsored by 58 CHANNEL VISION | January - February, 2020