Kevin JohnsonCDW Corp is a technology products and services provider based in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Michael Krasny founded the company in 1984 as MPK Computing. MPK rebranded to Computer Discount Warehouse and shortened its name to CDW.
In Oct 2006, the company acquired top-tier technology reseller Berbee and expanded CDW’s offering to include reselling IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft products and services. CDW’s commercial segment represents over 50% of the company’s overall business. However, this venture declined in the first half of 2023, leading to a 14% drop in revenue.
In early 2023, CDW cut hundreds of jobs to reduce its workforce. As of May 2023, the company employed 15,300 people. [1]
CDW is a leading multi-brand provider of IT solutions. The company operates two divisions: CDW and CDW-G. CDW serves businesses, governments, and education institutions, while CDW-G caters to US governmental entities. The firm acquired Sirius Computer Solutions in 2021 for $2.5 billion to expand its portfolio.
CDW is a Fortune 500 company that serves customers in the US, the UK, and Canada. However, it faces stiff competition from Accenture, SHI, Insight, Deloitte, and Skaled. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of CDW’s top competitors and alternatives:
1. Accenture
Year founded: 1989
Headquarter: Dublin, Ireland
Accenture is a global professional services company. The firm helps businesses, governments, and other organizations digitize and optimize operations and accelerate revenue growth. As of Jun 2023, Accenture had 738,000 employees in over 120 countries, but the company plans to cut 19,000 workers globally, or about 2.5% of its workforce, over the next 18 months. [3]
Accenture offers operational strategy, consulting, and interactive technology. In Jun 2023, Accenture acquired Nextira, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Premier Partner, to deliver cloud-native innovation, predictive analytics, and immersive experiences. The tech staffing company invested $3 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) to help businesses leverage its cloud capabilities and tools. Accenture is the top CDW competitor and alternative. [4]
2. Insight Enterprises, Inc.
Year founded: 1988
Headquarter: Chandler, Arizona
Insight is a global tech company specializing in business-to-business and IT capabilities for enterprises. It offers cloud and data center transformation, a connected workforce, and digital innovation. As of Jun 2023, Insight had around 13,500 employees.
Insight is a Fortune 500 solutions integrator that helps organizations digitize their businesses and maximize technology. In Jun 2023, Insight was recognized as a winner in the Microsoft US Partner of the Year Awards in the Azure Cloud Native App Development and Retail & Consumer Goods categories. Insight Enterprises is one of the best alternatives to CDW. [5]
3. Deloitte Consulting
Year founded: 1995
Headquarter: London, England
Deloitte is a British multinational professional services firm. Its Deloitte Consulting division competes against CDW Hardware in several categories, including ServiceNow, Google, AWS consultants, and IBM Security VARs. In 2022, Deloitte had around 415,000 employees.
Deloitte Consulting offers strategy, analytics, core operation, human capital, and enterprise technology. It helps organizations solve complicated business problems. In May 2023, the firm partnered with Allergan Aesthetics China to launch a report which provides up-to-date trends and strategic support to clinics and practitioners in China. Deloitte Consulting is a formidable competitor for CDW. [6]
4. SHI International Corp.
Year founded: 1989
Headquarter: Somerset, New Jersey
SHI International is one of the world’s largest IT solutions providers. The company offers IT infrastructure, end-user computing, cybersecurity, and IT optimization products and services. In May 2023, SHI had over 6,000 employees worldwide. The company has customers in the non-profit, private, and public sectors.
SHI provides technology solutions to over 17,000 corporate, enterprise, public sector, and academic organizations. It helps companies achieve business goals by leveraging innovative technologies, including VMware, ServiceNow, Autodesk, Adobe, and AWS. In May 2023, SHI won the VMware Partner Value Award for the Americas region. SHI International is one of the best alternatives to CDW for IT implementers, consultants, and channel partners. [7]
5. IBM Consulting
Year founded: 1991
Headquarter: Armonk, New York
IBM Consulting is the professional services and consulting arm of IBM that caters to global government organizations, companies, non-profits, and NGOs. In 2021, the firm rebranded from IBM Global Business Services to IBM Consulting. IBM has around 350,000 employees.
IBM Consulting specializes in IT consulting and implementation practice. In Jun 2023, British alcoholic beverage conglomerate Diageo selected IBM Consulting to deliver SAP transformation. The firm will help Diageo overhaul its IT infrastructure. IBM Consulting is one of the top competitors for CDW. [8]
6. Dell Inc.
Year founded: 1984
Headquarter: Round Rock, Texas
Dell is an American tech firm that offers computers and related products and services. The company has a software reseller program that competes against CDW. In 2022, Dell had around 133,000 employees.
Dell is best known for PCs and servers, but it also competes against CDW in the software reseller market. In FY 2023, the firm expanded its technology ecosystem and portfolio with new PowerEdge servers, UltraSharp 6K Monitor, and Dell Premier Collaboration Keyboard. Dell is a formidable competitor for CDW. [9]
7. Lenovo
Year founded: 1984
Headquarter: Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Lenovo is a global tech company that serves customers in over 180 markets. It is ranked #171 on the Fortune Global 500 list. As of Mar 2023, Lenovo employed 82,000 people.
Lenovo is renowned as one of the world’s largest PC companies. However, it also offers ThinkEdge SE30, SE50, SE70 and ThinkSystem SE350, and SE450 servers and resells hardware and software from other companies.
In Mar 2023, Sunlight.io signed a reseller agreement with Lenovo Global Technology Inc. The deal allows Lenovo to sell Sunlight as part of its Edge Computing-as-a-Service solution. Lenovo is a worthy alternative to CDW. [10]
8. Shift Paradigm
Year founded: 2021
Headquarter: Austin, Texas
Shift Paradigm is a marketing and revenue operations consultancy. The company helps over 3,000 organizations accelerate growth by aligning people, processes, and technologies. According to G2, Shift Paradigm has a 4.7-star rating out of 5.
Shift Paradigm improves sales and marketing strategy with actionable tactics. In Feb 2023, the firm was 123rd in the Inc. 5000 Regionals Southwest list of the fastest-growing private companies. It recently expanded its partner ecosystem with leading new technology providers, including Tealium, Blueconic, Braze, Fivetran, and Segment. Shift Paradigm is a fast-growing competitor for CDW. [11]
9. Ingram Micro
Year founded: 1979
Headquarter: Irvine, California
Ingram Micro is an American distributor of IT products and services. The company provides solutions to help business partners operate efficiently and successfully in various markets. In 2021, Platinum Equity acquired Ingram Micro at a $7.2 billion valuation and later filed for a US initial public offering (IPO) in Sep 2022. [12]
The main competitive advantage of Ingram Micro is its deep expertise in technology, cloud, mobility, and supply chain solutions. In Feb 2023, CRN recognized eight Ingram Micro executives for driving a channel-first agenda and strengthening channel partnerships. Ingram Micro is a worthy alternative to CDW. [13]
10. Softchoice Corp.
Year founded: 1989
Headquarter: Toronto, Canada
Softchoice is a software-focused IT solutions provider. The company helps organizations boost agility and nurture innovative, engaged, connected, and creative employees. According to Gartner, Softchoice has a 4.7-star rating out of 5 versus 4.1 stars for CDW.
Softchoice and CDW provide IT products, but Softchoice specializes in software-based solutions. The firm helps companies move IT assets to the cloud and make smarter technology decisions.
In Q1 2023, Softchoice leveraged its technical capabilities and resources to grow its customer base and create deeper engagement with existing clients. Softchoice is one of the best CDW alternatives. [14]
11. TD SYNNEX
Year founded: 2021
Headquarter: Fremont, California
TD SYNNEX is a leading global IT solutions distributor and aggregator. The company helps over 150,000 customers in more than 100 countries to maximize the value of technology and unlock growth opportunities. As of Jun 2023, TD SYNNEX had 23,500 employees.
TD SYNNEX offers IT products, services, and solutions from over 1,500 global technology vendors. Its edge-to-cloud portfolio covers several high-growth segments, including cloud, cybersecurity, big data, analytics, IoT, and mobility.
In Jun 2023, TD SYNNEX won the Operational Excellence Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. TD SYNNEX is one of the top competitors for CDW. [15]
12. SoftwareOne
Year founded: 1985
Headquarter: Stans, Switzerland
SoftwareOne is a global software and cloud solutions provider with around 9,000 employees. The company helps clients migrate workloads to the cloud and modernize their applications. In May 2023, SoftwareOne agreed to acquire Beniva Consulting, an Elite ServiceNow Partner with 75 professionals. This acquisition expands SoftwareOne’s ITSM addressable market from $2 billion to over $7 billion. [16]
SoftwareOne offers IT products from 7,500 software brands through sales teams across 90 countries. It helps organizations manage software purchases from vendors like Microsoft, Adobe, and IBM.
In Jun 2023, SoftwareOne rejected a $3.21 billion acquisition offer from Bain Capital. SoftwareOne is one of the best alternatives to CDW for software management and cloud technology solutions. [17]
13. OneSource Virtual
Year founded: 2008
Headquarter: Dallas, Texas
OneSource Virtual is a Workday solutions provider. The company specializes in consulting, deployment, post-deployment support, and Business-Process-as-a-Service (BPaaS). As of Nov 2022, OneSource had 400 employees and over 1,300 customers across North America and Europe.
OneSource Virtual offers HR, finance, and accounting technology solutions and services. It helps organizations boost productivity, improve compliance, and increase internal capacity. In Nov 2022, Cognizant acquired the application management practices of OneSource Virtual. OneSource Virtual is the best alternative to CDW for Workday services and solutions. [18]
14. AVI-SPL
Year founded: 1979
Headquarter: Tampa, Florida
AVI-SPL provides collaboration and audio-video technologies and managed AV services. The company sells and installs video conferencing, telepresence, audio, security, and digital media systems. In 2022, AVI-SPL had 3,782 employees and 63 offices.
AVI-SPL and CDW provide technology solutions to businesses and organizations, but AVI-SPL specializes in collaboration and audio-video products. In Jun 2023, the firm enhanced its enterprise broadcast XR app with Q-SYS and Purple Digital Storytelling’s Hyro. AVI-SSPL is one of the best alternatives to CDW for audio-video technologies. [19]
15. Skaled
Year founded: 2013
Headquarter: Austin, Texas
Skaled is a B2B sales consultancy firm. The company leverages cutting tech products and solutions to change how organizations sell and partner with customers. According to G2, Skaled has a 4.7-star rating out of 5 from 135 customer reviews. [20]
Skaled and CDW offer business intelligence (BI) consulting. Global enterprises, like The New York Jets, LinkedIn, Insightly, ADP, and Microsoft, use Skaled’s services. However, most of Skaled’s clients are startups and mid-sized businesses looking for accelerated growth. The company delivers strategic and tactical talent driven by results and over 100,000 hours of sales leadership experience. Skaled is one of the best alternatives to CDW for sales teams.
References & more information
- Haranas, M. (2023, May 3). CDW CEO: 5 Big Remarks on Sales Drop, Layoffs, 2023 Forecast. CRN
- CDW (2023, May 3). CDW Reports First Quarter 2023 Earnings. Business Wire
- Florentine, S. (2023, Jun 27). Accenture Layoffs Continue in Austin. Channele2e.com
- Accenture Staff (2023, Jun 1). Accenture Acquires Nextira, Expanding Engineering Capabilities in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Accenture Newsroom
- Insight Enterprises (2023, Jun 29). Insight Wins Two 2023 Microsoft US Partner of the Year Awards. Business Wire
- Deloitte Staff (2023, May 20). Deloitte Consulting partnered with Allergan Aesthetics China to launch China Medical Aesthetic Industry Outlook 2023. Deloitte.com
- SHI International Corp. (2023, May 2). SHI Wins 2023 VMware Partner Value Award for the Americas Region. Business Wire
- Consultancy Staff (2023, Jun 15). Diageo taps IBM Consulting for global SAP transformation. Consultancy
- Dell Technologies (2023, Mar 2). Dell Technologies Delivers Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2023 Financial Results. PRNewswire
- io (2023, Mar 7). Sunlight and Lenovo Sign Reseller Agreement to Integrate Sunlight in Lenovo’s Edge Computing Solutions. Business Wire
- Shift Paradigm (2023, Feb 28). Shift Paradigm Announces Inclusion in Inc. Magazine’s List of the Southwest Region’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. PRNewswire
- Nishant, N. (2022, Sep 19). Ingram Micro Confidentially Files for US IPO Even as Markets Remain Dull. US News
- Ingram Micro Inc. (2023, Feb 10). Ingram Micro Celebrates Success of 2023 CRN Channel Chiefs. Business Wire
- Softchoice (2023, May 12). Softchoice Announces First Quarter 2023 Results. Softchoice Newsroom
- TD SYNNEX (2023, Jun 28). TD SYNNEX Recognized as Winner of 2023 Microsoft Operational Excellence Partner of the Year. Business Wire
- SoftwareOne Corporate News (2023, May 17). SoftwareOne delivers a solid start in Q1 2023 and reiterates full-year guidance. SoftwareOne.com
- Reuters Staff (2023, Jun 15). Bain Capital makes a $3.2 billion offer for SoftwareOne, but the board says it’s too low. Reuters
- Cognizant (2022, Nov 1). Cognizant to Expand Workday Expertise and Services with Acquisition from OneSource Virtual. PRNewswire
- AVI Interactive (2023, Jun 29). AVI-SPL brings the virtual studio to enterprise broadcasting. AVIInteractive.com
- G2 (2023, Jan 18). What is Skaled? G2.com
- Featured Image by Christina @ wocintechchat.com
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