Schneider Electric launches new edge computing MSP program

Schneider Electric has launched its Edge Software - Digital Services Program, a complete suite of financial incentives, support tools and certifications for IT solution providers to create a Managed Power Services practice.

The new program, created in response to the significant growth of edge computing, is designed to enable IT solution providers to establish recurring revenue streams by offering remote monitoring and management of physical infrastructure across their customers' networks, utilising Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure IT Software - Digital Services.

The Edge Software - Digital Services Program is part of the mySchneider IT Solutions Partner Program, formerly known as the APC Channel Partner Program.

On the market opportunity, Schneider Electric vice president edge computing and IT channels, Jamie Bourassa, says, "Edge computing presents an enormous opportunity for solution providers to expand their service portfolio to address power and cooling infrastructure especially as these sites have become mission-critical.

"Starting a new service practice takes a commitment of resources including time, education and business development.

"The level of effort will vary by partner and based on feedback from managed service providers, establishing a managed IT service business can take up to 3,500 hours. We have built a program, for all partners, that simplifies the path to entering the Managed Power Services and helps them capture revenue quickly and for the long-term.

Core components of the Edge Software - Digital Services Program include the following:

• Lifecycle rebates: An on-going financial incentive for IT solution providers to reinvest in their business
• Step-by-step, operational e-guide: "The Essential Guide to Growing Your Business with Managed Power Services"
• Certification paths: Educational courses designed to increase technical and business acumen related to digital remote monitoring software and service options
• EcoStruxure IT Software and Digital Services: Access to Schneider Electric's portfolio providing 24/7 remote monitoring, and remote and on-site support

According to Schneider Electric, the addition of Managed Power Services adds 1.5-times additional revenue over the lifecycle of the asset.

Moreover, IT solution providers can help improve resiliency of these sites with proactive maintenance, identify hardware refreshes and reduce operational expenses for the benefit of their customers.

To offset the start-up costs, the Edge Software - Digital Services Program includes a Customer Lifecycle Rebate. Developed based on feedback from IT solution providers, the rebate rewards mySchneider IT Partners for various actions across the lifecycle of the customer engagement including attaching, monitoring, servicing and upgrading customer assets.

Providing resources to users, Edge Software - Digital Services Program participants will have free access to resources. This includes 'The Essential Guide to Growing your Business with Managed Power Services', a step-by-step guide enabling smooth development of a managed services practice.

The program also offers two new certification paths tailored to partners' specific focus whether on reselling software and services or full-service monitor and management.

Both certifications aim to elevate managed power services competencies, regardless of current business stage and capabilities.

In addition, certified partners will have access to a dedicated Partner Success Manager. All participants in the program have access to design tools, and a Software - Services community in Schneider Electric's Exchange Platform, an open business platform that connects industry experts and technology partners to increase competitive positioning and business innovation.

EcoStruxure IT Software - Digital Services is a customisable portfolio that delivers advanced 24/7 remote monitoring, and remote and on-site support, with options for partners to leverage their service investments or outsource to Schneider's service experts.

Schneider Electric's digital services portfolio is enabled by its EcoStruxure IT Platform, supporting successful deployment, monitoring, and maintenance at the edge. mySchneider IT Solution Providers can select and layer software and digital services to build a solution that best-suits their business model and customers' needs.

The Essential Guide to Growing Your Business with Managed Power Services is available today.