
First a little background:
What is hardware as a service (HaaS)?: Here, the MSP deploys fresh PCs and infrastructure to the end-customer. The MSP typically lines up financing to manage all the hardware refreshes. Customers pay the MSP a set monthly fee for that hardware. The potential downside: If the end-customer defaults on the hardware payments, the MSP is left carrying the debt. Also, repossessing all that hardware could be difficult if the customer goes out of business and locks his or her doors.
What is hardware as a rental (HaaR)?: This model is nearly the same, except that the lender carries the debt. If the end-customer goes out of business or defaults on payments, the lender -- rather than the MSP -- carries the risk.
HaaS Hits and Misses
HaaS was supposed to revolutionize the IT channel several years ago -- creating a world of "everything as a service" for the end customer. That reality hasn't quite materialized for a few reasons. The reasons: PC makers already offer traditional financing programs, and branded HaaS programs would have involved yet another marketing initiative in a contracting market.
Some boutique HaaS providers like CharTec continue to engage and train MSPs. But a key rival faced ethical and financial questions back in 2010, and wound up in court.
Rise of HaaR?
