MSPs selling COVID-19 testing kits sparks industry backlash

Calls for tech suppliers to focus on their core business

Tech suppliers should stick to their core business, some industry bosses have argued after isolated examples of resellers and MSPs claiming to offer COVID-19 testing kits emerged.

Outlying instances of UK tech suppliers claiming to have access to testing kits have caused a backlash on social media as the government itself struggles to ramp up testing among NHS staff. One recent discussion on LinkedIn prompted over 60 comments, most of which were fiercely disparaging.

Dean Mason, founder of Manchester-based VAR Green Cloud IT, said it was difficult to understand why some tech suppliers that normally sell PCs, printers and managed services are advertising supplies in this area.

"Between myself and the resellers I'm close with, we don't understand the concept behind it," he told CRN.

"Are they doing it for a quick win? Or are they doing it because they want to get into that avenue? I doubt it."

Michael Bain, director of London-based VAR Convergent Technology, also felt that there is little justification for resellers to get involved in sourcing virus testing kits.

"IT companies do supply of hardware and software, services, and cloud services. We do not have any doctors or nurses in our business that would allow us to sell virus testing kits," he told CRN.

"To me if you're an IT solutions provider, that's what you should be concentrating on," agreed Dan Mundle, founder of recruitment firm Rockman Recruitment.

The last month has seen the channel showcase its power, helping businesses move to a remote working model, supplying technology to NHS Nightingale, and even joining consortia to help deliver ventilators to the NHS.

But some onlookers we spoke to also felt the crisis has in a few isolated cases led to profiteering, an act nearly two in five respondents in our first COVID-19 snapshot survey said they'd witnessed (join the second snapshot survey here).

"I see a massive difference between profiteering and meeting genuine demand," said Mike Bacon, managing director of London-based education-focused reseller Academia (pictured).

"We're very busy selling hardware and software, and making money. But we haven't hiked prices. We only work with primary brand, tier-one vendors, so typically they don't either. I fully support the fact that a lot of stock in restraint is being diverted to the NHS.

"Profiteering, rather than offering a service when we all need to do what we can right now - that's a poor show."

Bain said that Convergent had onboarded several clients over the last four weeks that had been overcharged by their incumbent.

"Although there have been slightly inflated prices across the board, some suppliers' charges have been through the roof. Customers aren't stupid and have long memories," he said. "Although there might be a window for some people to make more money than they normally would, customers will be quick to analyse what's happened. Are they going to work with people that have exploited them?"