TABLE OF CONTENTS
CDW—a value-added reseller—has established a reputation for its comprehensive IT services, which include IT consulting, cybersecurity, IT support, and more.
Its cloud orchestration, infrastructure as code, and cloud-native solutions like Kubernetes are also well-regarded.However, if you are specifically looking to procure IT equipment—it may not get you the best prices for hardware. Here’s what Review sites like G2 and Gartner CDW have to say.
Are you looking for CDW alternatives? We’ve got you covered.
TL;DR
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CDW offers a range of IT products and services to manage the entire lifecycle of your devices—from procurement to disposal
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However, users complained that CDW’s offerings can be complex, there could be long lead times, and service support may not be consistently good
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There are many alternatives to CDW, some for specialized needs. These are Workwize, Insight, Dell, SHI International, Connection, Graybar, BHA Associates, and B&H
Workwize
Workwize is a zero-touch IT hardware lifecycle management platform. Designed for global teams of 200-5000 FTEs, Workwize helps organizations automate the entire lifecycle of their hardware, saving IT teams time and stress.
Use Workwize to order fully customized IT assets anywhere in the world. You can ship them anywhere, manage them through a centralized platform, enjoy one-click retrievals, and dispose of equipment easily.
When you use Workwize, you don't need to worry about your IT hardware.
Workwize offerings:
- Purchase or lease a variety of hardware from global suppliers through the Workwize platform, with the option to collaborate with local suppliers if desired
- Get IT equipment and accessories delivered worldwide within 5-7 business days, whether to your remote employees' homes, headquarters, remote offices, or one of our global warehouses
- Choose from branded starter kits or welcome packages featuring your company logo, or allow employees to pick their own IT equipment, furniture, or company swag
- Track and manage assets with detailed location updates using a track-and-trace link, providing complete visibility
- Customize hardware by selecting CTO models with additional storage or RAM, or choose local keyboard layouts when placing orders
Once you’ve selected your assets, deploy them with the required configuration settings. This ensures that the equipment arrives fully prepared for your employees, with all necessary permissions, settings, and user accounts pre-configured. You can also keep a centralized view of equipment assignments. If any faults or damages occur, ordering replacements is quick and simple.
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Track detailed asset information, including the current user, value, depreciation status, and whether an asset is new or refurbished, with real-time visibility
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Offer employees a self-service portal to request items, repairs, and maintenance, supported by a chatbot for instant assistance
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Integrate smoothly with your HR or directory system to simplify employee transitions
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Automatically lock accounts when employees leave, arrange equipment collection, and securely wipe data from devices
Zero-touch IT Equipment Retrieval
Simplify asset recovery—Workwize manages all communication, logistics, and packaging to ensure safe returns from any location worldwide. You can also initiate retrievals with a single click when employees leave or assets end their lifecycle.
Workwize ensures environmentally responsible disposal or donation of end-of-life assets in compliance with local regulations. And you get a certificate of data destruction to ensure compliance.
Workwize Pricing
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Basic Plan: $8 per seat (+$540 platform fee)
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Professional: $11 per seat (+$540 platform fee)
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Enterprise: Custom pricing
Insight
Insight is a global technology firm headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Insight provides business-to-business information technology (IT) solutions across various sectors, including business, government, healthcare, and education.
Since going public in 1995, Insight Enterprises has since grown into an international conglomerate with offices in 19 countries. They offer a wide range of services, including:
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Digital innovation solutions that help clients use technology to innovate and improve their business processes
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Cloud and data center transformation services that assist organizations transition to cloud-based solutions and optimize their data centers
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Connected workforce solutions for businesses to enhance workforce productivity through advanced IT solutions
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Supply chain optimization to streamline logistics and supply chain processes with technology
Insight has a commendable global reach with operations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Key offerings:
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A broad range of services, from hardware to cloud solutions, offer end-to-end digital transformation services tailored to industries like healthcare, education, and financial services
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Collaboration with leading technology firms like Microsoft and Qualcomm to deliver innovative solutions like AI-enhanced PCs
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Drives AI-based process transformation with the help of generative AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Pros
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The tech specialists employed by Insight are knowledgeable and know how to get the job done
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The firm manages the entire project for you and will handle as much of the implementation as you need
Cons
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The cost can be high depending on the outcomes of the project
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The organization structure needs revision as even some small approvals sometimes take a lot of time
Read More: Top 5 Lendis Alternatives To Procure IT Equipment and Furniture
Dell
Dell is a prominent American tech giant based in Round Rock, Texas. With its impressive range of products and services, Dell serves both consumer and enterprise markets.
Dell’s hardware offering covers most IT needs: Dell’s PowerEdge lineup manufactures and supplies servers designed for traditional and cloud-based environments. Dell’s EMC Networking solutions include high-density switches that offer resilient and flexible networking options for enterprises and mid-market data centers.
Unlike these and storage solutions like the PowerVault series, Dell’s client systems are well-regarded worldwide. The company’s client offerings include OptiPlex desktops, Latitude laptops, and Precision workstations.
Key offerings:
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Handles modernization of IT infrastructure with converged and hyper-converged infrastructure solutions
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Offers cloud-optimized SaaS solutions for managing IT environments, which include systems management, security services, and distributed device management
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Wide range of professional services, including Professional Services: Dell's professional services include IT lifecycle management, PC as a Service (PCaaS), and big data solutions
Pros
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The company provides reliable hardware that fits into any usage scenario, usually at a lower price than other vendors for similar specifications
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Management tools like OpenManage are easy to use and make hardware procurement and deployment easy
Cons
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Like most blade server vendors, you are stuck here with Dell blades, which is kind of a vendor lock
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The servers need frequent manual interaction to run at peak performance continuously
SHI International
SHI International is one of the largest global providers of IT products and services. The company has impressive market reach and has enterprise customers from private, public, and even non-profit sectors.
SHI’s suite of IT solutions includes comprehensive IT infrastructure solutions, including hardware procurement, data center configuration, and IT optimization services. It also provides Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) services to assist with cloud migration and management. Advanced cybersecurity services include identity and access management frameworks, application security suites, and cloud workload protections.
The company operates over 35 offices across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other regions.
Key offerings:
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Comprises over 1,000 technical resources worldwide and is equipped to handle complex IT challenges across various sectors, including corporate, government, healthcare, and education
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Through their subsidiary Stratoscale, SHI delivers digital agility and technology consulting to help businesses transform digitally.
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Provides end-to-end IT infrastructure solutions, including hardware procurement and configuration, data center management, and network solutions
Pros
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SHI has a knowledgeable and helpful team, and clients are satisfied with the value they receive from SHI’s services
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Competent and robust IT asset management services that are tightly integrated with Sales
Cons
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While the teams are skilled and resources, sometimes they lack the expertise needed for complicated processes
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The updates are not delivered consistently and need improvement
Connection
Connection, formerly PC Connection Inc., is a global IT solutions provider based in Merrimack, New Hampshire. It has grown to offer many IT solutions and services, including IT infrastructure, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and AI solutions.
Its main services include IT infrastructure solutions, including networking, data center solutions, and lifecycle management services. It also offers cloud solutions, such as multi-cloud strategies and cloud-native platforms, to enhance scalability and flexibility.
Key offerings:
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A portfolio of over 460,000 products from leading manufacturers like Apple, HP, Dell Technologies, Cisco, and Microsoft.
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Through its GlobalServe subsidiary, Connection provides global procurement solutions with access to a network of 500 suppliers in 174 countries.
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Holds significant partnerships with major technology providers. For instance, it is a Cisco Gold Integrator, a Microsoft Solutions Partner, and an HP U.S. Personal Systems National Solutions Provider Partner of the Year.
Pros
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The company has excellent customer care, with a team dedicated to solving issues promptly
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Provides commendable implementation and deployment, with ongoing maintenance and support services
Cons
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The delivery times are occasionally longer than expected
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The annual charges are a bit on the higher side and need revision
GHA Associates
GHA Technologies is a network, computer reseller, and systems integrator with a sizable presence in the United States.
The company specializes in providing corporate clients a wide range of IT products and services. It offers an extensive product line that includes hardware, software, and cloud solutions from major brands like HP, Dell, Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, IBM, EMC, VMware, and Symantec.
GHA also offers system integration services and cloud services from leading producers like
Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and more. Other service and product offerings include medical and laboratory equipment, AI-ready workstations, and data center solutions.
Key offerings:
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Volume discounts that combine your supplies, desktop, networking, and services for maximum volume discounts and convenience
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Integrated, powerful e-commerce site and solution categories that offer sourcing convenience, with manufacturers including Samsung, Macrium Software, VMware, Acronis, IBM, and Intel
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A single point of contact that enables real and personalized customer service
Pros
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The company is reliable and has a reputation for being easy to deal with
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Licensing for different software is a breeze with the company
Cons
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Users have defined Internal stability as a mixed bag and reported unprofessional reps they work with on their projects.
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There is no dedicated CRM, and the database is not the most intuitive.
B&H
B&H IT Services is an IT company based in the United States. The company aims to support community development through business growth by providing holistic IT support and consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses.
The services are designed for businesses that may not require a full-time IT staff or need additional help with specific projects. It partners with global tech giants like Meraki, Cisco, Dell, and Lenovo.
The company offers the design and installation of cabling services that support multiple hardware uses, network switching, and routing for smooth communication and operations.
Key offerings:
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Managed services that reduce capital investments by shifting to operational costs and aid unexpected IT expenses
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Business phone solutions that provide enterprise-level phone systems to increase productivity
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Network infrastructure that includes structured cabling, network switching and routing, and server environment setup
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Backup and disaster recovery services for organizations, along with easy-to-deploy and reliable security and surveillance systems
Pros
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Offers a free, no-obligation assessment of your IT environment to test suitability with your IT needs
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The B&H remote monitoring and asset inventory management system is handy
Cons
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More than a managed services provider might need to meet more complex needs.
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There is next to no documentation and community support for the platform
Workwize is The Best CDW Alternative
If you’re looking for a complete solution to automate your hardware lifecycle, employee onboarding, and offboarding—choose Workwize. Book a Workwize Demo now, and see how Workwize can help your IT needs!
