Datto Commerce is now available to MSPs (managed IT services providers) in North America. That platform, based on the $4.4 million Gluh acquisition, is a real-time sales and e-commerce platform that's designed to accelerate how MSPs quote, sell and procure various products and services.
Datto Commerce could potentially automate and speed sales pipelines from Datto and distributors through MSPs to end-customers. Along the way, Datto may end up competing in some ways against Pax8, ConnectWise Marketplace, ConnectWise Sell (formerly Quosal), and Quotewerks, ChannelE2E believes.
Moreover, there could be competition involving Ingram Micro's recently acquired Harmony PSA platform, which tucked into Ingram's CloudBlue software business.
Still, Datto Commerce also supports integrations with many of those platforms. For instance, the software works with Autotask PSA, ConnectWise Manage, Xero, Quickbooks, and Stripe, Datto mentioned in a press release.
The cloud-based platform also supports local tax management requirements and regional distributors in North America, Australia and New Zealand, with the goal of expanding its availability to other global regions, Datto adds.
Datto Commerce: Four Potential MSP Business Benefits
Datto says the commerce platform offers at least four benefits to MSPs. They include:
- The ability for the MSP to build a self-branded online storefront to enhance customer self-service.
- Simplified quoting that can be viewed and approved on any device.
- Automated procurement based on availability, price, and supplier preferences at the time of quote approval. On a related note, vendor data feeds that allow MSPs to procure based on availability and cost.
- MSPs can get up and running on Datto Commerce in "as little as one hour with unlimited Datto support via phone, chat, and email."
In a prepared statement about the North American launch, Datto Chief Product Officer Radhesh Menon said:
“MSPs have the opportunity to provide their SMB clients with everything IT related to encourage standardization. We’re excited to provide this superior platform that integrates with PSAs to enable MSPs to sell more products in less time and with fewer resources, while increasing profitability with every transaction.”
Datto Commerce and MSP Pricing
Datto Commerce is available to MSPs in North America for an introductory promotional price of $199/month per MSP, the company tells ChannelE2E. MSPs who lock in the promotional pricing with a long-term agreement will benefit from cost savings, versus signing up with what will most likely be a month to month tier-based pricing structure, Datto adds.
Datto Commerce does not charge any additional fees outside of the monthly subscription, the company concludes. Read between the lines and it sounds like Datto is not trying to charge a fee for each third-party sale that occurs on the platfoirm.
