Also
To empower resellers by becoming the world's leading B2B ecosystem for the as-a-service economy.
Also SWOT Analysis
How to Use This Analysis
This analysis for Also was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.
While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.
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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
AI-Powered Insights
Powered by leading AI models:
- Also Holding AG Annual Report 2023
- Also Holding AG Q1 2024 Interim Report
- Investor Presentations from also.com
- SIX Swiss Exchange data for market capitalization
- Analysis of IT distribution industry reports from sources like Canalys and GTDC
- 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
Products & Services
Distribution Channels
Also Business Model Analysis
AI-Powered Insights
Powered by leading AI models:
- Also Holding AG Annual Report 2023
- Also Holding AG Q1 2024 Interim Report
- Investor Presentations from also.com
- SIX Swiss Exchange data for market capitalization
- Analysis of IT distribution industry reports from sources like Canalys and GTDC
Problem
- Complex IT procurement for resellers
- Low margins in hardware distribution
- Difficulty for VARs to sell cloud
- Fragmented access to 700+ vendors
Solution
- Unified B2B marketplace platform
- Value-add solutions (security, IoT)
- Also Cloud Marketplace (ACMP)
- Logistics and financial services
Key Metrics
- Cloud Marketplace ARR
- Net Profit Margin
- Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
- Reseller Engagement/Spend
Unique
- Broadest portfolio in Europe
- Pan-European physical logistics net
- 3S Model: Supply, Solutions, Service
- Deeply embedded in 120k resellers
Advantage
- Massive economies of scale
- Proprietary transactional data
- High switching costs for resellers
- Long-standing vendor relationships
Channels
- Also Cloud Marketplace (ACMP)
- Direct sales teams per country
- E-commerce portals
- API integrations
Customer Segments
- Value-Added Resellers (VARs)
- Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
- System Integrators
- Corporate Resellers & Retailers
Costs
- Cost of Goods Sold (Hardware/Software)
- Logistics and warehouse operations
- Platform development and maintenance
- Sales and marketing expenses
Also Product Market Fit Analysis
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.
PROFITABILITY: Boost margins by shifting to high-value solutions/services.
EFFICIENCY: Simplify procurement and logistics through a single platform.
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
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 Market Positioning
AI-Powered Insights
Powered by leading AI models:
- Also Holding AG Annual Report 2023
- Also Holding AG Q1 2024 Interim Report
- Investor Presentations from also.com
- SIX Swiss Exchange data for market capitalization
- Analysis of IT distribution industry reports from sources like Canalys and GTDC
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 Operations and Technology
AI-Powered Insights
Powered by leading AI models:
- Also Holding AG Annual Report 2023
- Also Holding AG Q1 2024 Interim Report
- Investor Presentations from also.com
- SIX Swiss Exchange data for market capitalization
- Analysis of IT distribution industry reports from sources like Canalys and GTDC
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
Top Clients
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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About Alignment LLC
Alignment LLC specializes in AI-powered business analysis. Through the Alignment Method, we combine advanced prompting, structured frameworks, and expert oversight to deliver actionable insights that help companies understand how AI sees their data and market position.