Also logo

Also

To empower resellers by becoming the world's leading B2B ecosystem for the as-a-service economy.

Also logo

Also SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 2, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Also SWOT Analysis reveals a classic incumbent at a pivotal moment. Its formidable strengths—unmatched ecosystem scale and a robust pan-European presence—provide a powerful foundation. However, this is juxtaposed against the critical weakness of low-margin dependency on transactional hardware sales. The primary opportunity is to fully embrace the as-a-service transition, leveraging its ACMP platform as the core growth engine. The existential threat is disintermediation by the very vendors it serves, particularly hyperscalers building their own ecosystems. The strategic imperative is clear: accelerate the transformation into a true technology platform company, using its scale not just for distribution, but for value creation through AI-driven services and sustainable IT. The future of Also depends on making this shift decisively and swiftly, converting its transactional dominance into recurring revenue leadership.

To empower resellers by becoming the world's leading B2B ecosystem for the as-a-service economy.

Strengths

  • ECOSYSTEM: Vast network of 120k+ resellers and 700+ vendor partners.
  • SCALE: Pan-European footprint and €11B+ in revenue provides huge leverage.
  • PLATFORM: Mature Also Cloud Marketplace (ACMP) is a key growth engine.
  • FINANCIALS: Stable cash flow and profitability despite market headwinds.
  • DIVERSIFIED: 3S model (Supply, Solutions, Service) balances portfolio.

Weaknesses

  • MARGINS: Inherently low net profit margins (~1.2%) in distribution.
  • DEPENDENCY: Supply segment still represents the majority of revenue.
  • COMPLEXITY: Managing a massive, diverse portfolio is operationally heavy.
  • INNOVATION: Pace of platform innovation may lag pure-play software firms.
  • BRAND: Low brand recognition outside of the direct IT channel ecosystem.

Opportunities

  • AAS: Accelerating SMB shift to cloud and as-a-service consumption models.
  • SECURITY: Rising cybersecurity threats create demand for high-margin MSP svcs.
  • SUSTAINABILITY: Circular economy models for IT hardware are a new revenue stream.
  • DATA: Monetize transactional data through AI-driven insights for partners.
  • CONSOLIDATION: Acquire smaller, specialized distributors to gain new skills.

Threats

  • DISINTERMEDIATION: Major cloud vendors building direct marketplaces for partners.
  • COMPETITION: Intense price pressure from giants like TD Synnex and Ingram.
  • MACROECONOMIC: IT spending is highly sensitive to economic downturns/inflation.
  • SUPPLY CHAIN: Geopolitical tensions continue to pose risk to hardware supply.
  • AI DISRUPTION: AI could automate procurement, reducing the need for middlemen.

Key Priorities

  • TRANSITION: Aggressively shift revenue mix from Supply to Service/Solutions.
  • PLATFORM: Differentiate the ACMP with unique AI-driven value-add features.
  • EXPAND: Capture the emerging, high-margin sustainable IT services market.
  • EFFICIENCY: Leverage automation and AI to protect and improve low margins.

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Also Market

  • Founded: 1984
  • Market Share: Leading position in DACH, significant presence in 29 countries.
  • Customer Base: Over 120,000 resellers (VARs, MSPs, retailers).
  • Category:
  • SIC Code: 5045 Computers and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software
  • NAICS Code: 423430 Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers
  • Location: Emmen, Switzerland
  • Zip Code: 6032
  • Employees: 4000
Competitors
TD Synnex logo
TD Synnex View Analysis
Ingram Micro logo
Ingram Micro View Analysis
Arrow Electronics logo
Arrow Electronics View Analysis
Exclusive Networks logo
Exclusive Networks Request Analysis
Westcon-Comstor logo
Westcon-Comstor Request Analysis
Products & Services
No products or services data available
Distribution Channels

Also Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 2, 2025

Also provides the definitive B2B marketplace for the technology industry. It empowers IT resellers to enhance profitability by shifting to high-value services, streamline operations through a unified platform, and accelerate growth by leveraging a comprehensive as-a-service ecosystem. This transforms their business model for the modern economy, ensuring they not only survive but thrive in a competitive landscape.

1

PROFITABILITY: Boost margins by shifting to high-value solutions/services.

2

EFFICIENCY: Simplify procurement and logistics through a single platform.

3

GROWTH: Scale your business faster with our as-a-service ecosystem.



Before State

  • Fragmented vendor and product sourcing
  • Complex procurement and logistics
  • High barrier to offering cloud services
  • Transactional, low-margin business models

After State

  • Unified marketplace for all IT needs
  • Streamlined, automated procurement
  • Instant access to cloud service catalog
  • Shift to high-margin recurring revenue

Negative Impacts

  • Wasted time on administrative tasks
  • Inability to scale service offerings
  • Lost deals due to product unavailability
  • Margin erosion from intense competition

Positive Outcomes

  • Increased operational efficiency
  • Accelerated business growth for resellers
  • Improved profitability and cash flow
  • Enhanced competitive differentiation

Key Metrics

Customer Retention Rates - 90%+ for active resellers
Net Promoter Score (NPS) - Estimated 40-50 range
User Growth Rate - Stable in transactional, 20%+ in cloud
Customer Feedback/Reviews - Limited public G2 presence
Repeat Purchase Rates) - High, core to the business model

Requirements

  • Integration with reseller business systems
  • Comprehensive training and support
  • Trust in platform reliability and security

Why Also

  • Onboarding via Also Cloud Marketplace
  • Access to pre-sales and tech support
  • Leveraging financing and logistics services

Also Competitive Advantage

  • Unmatched breadth of vendor portfolio
  • AI-driven personalization and insights
  • Pan-European reach with local expertise

Proof Points

  • 120,000+ active resellers in our ecosystem
  • €1.5B+ revenue from Solutions segment
  • Double-digit growth in cloud business
Also logo

Also Market Positioning

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Become the indispensable B2B marketplace.

Shift core business to recurring revenue.

Integrate AI across the entire value chain.

Lead the circular economy for technology assets.

What You Do

  • Provide a B2B marketplace for technology hardware, software, and cloud.

Target Market

  • IT resellers, Managed Service Providers, and System Integrators.

Differentiation

  • Broadest portfolio of 700+ vendors
  • Pan-European logistics footprint
  • Advanced 'as-a-service' platform (ACMP)

Revenue Streams

  • Transactional hardware/software sales
  • Recurring revenue from cloud services
  • Value-added solutions and services
Also logo

Also Operations and Technology

Company Operations
  • Organizational Structure: Decentralized structure with strong country-level management.
  • Supply Chain: Pan-European network of warehouses and advanced logistics systems.
  • Tech Patents: Focus on proprietary platform architecture rather than patents.
  • Website: https://also.com
Also logo

Also Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

LOW: The barrier to entry is extremely high due to massive capital requirements for inventory, logistics, and vendor relationships.

Supplier Power

HIGH: Key vendors like Microsoft, HP, and Apple hold significant power, can dictate terms, and are exploring direct-to-partner models.

Buyer Power

MEDIUM: Individual resellers have low power, but large reseller consortiums and the overall price sensitivity of the market grant them influence.

Threat of Substitution

MEDIUM: Cloud vendor marketplaces (e.g., AWS Marketplace) are a primary substitute, allowing resellers to bypass traditional distribution.

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: Dominated by a few large players (TD Synnex, Ingram) competing fiercely on price and logistics, leading to thin margins.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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