Smart 3rd Party (S3P) is a trusted alternative for enterprise IT hardware maintenance, specializing in cost-effective third-party maintenance (TPM) that extends the life of storage, servers, and networking assets beyond OEM warranties. Their global TPM approach delivers “Better Service. Even Better Price,” offering a scalable, reliable option for organizations that want OEM-level support without the manufacturer price tag. (smart3rdparty.com)

The Challenge

Smart 3rd Party originally didn’t have a centralized system and it was chaos. Getting all of their sites to a single solution was a good step forward with Boxstorm, Fishbowl’s earlier cloud-based inventory system. While Boxstorm delivered flexibility and real-time access, S3P’s rapid growth outpaced the system’s functionality. They needed a more robust platform that could:

  • Provide deeper inventory control across multiple warehouse and forward stocking locations
  • Support advanced reporting and automation
  • Seamlessly integrate with customer service and logistics systems
  • Scale without sacrificing the convenience of a cloud-based solution

“Boxstorm worked well as a starting point, but we knew we needed more horsepower as our operations expanded,” said Rick Solitro, Smart 3rd Party.

The Solution

Smart 3rd Party migrated from Boxstorm to Fishbowl Inventory in the Cloud (formerly known as Drive). This transition provided a straightforward upgrade path within the Fishbowl ecosystem, giving S3P the advanced features they required while maintaining the cloud flexibility they had come to rely on.

“The move to Fishbowl in the Cloud was seamless. We didn’t lose time or data, but we gained a system that could truly grow with us.” – Rick Solitro

Key benefits included:

  • Robust inventory management with tracking and automation tailored for global TPM operations
  • Improved reporting and analytics for smarter forecasting and resource allocation
  • Integration capabilities with SmartPortal, SmartNOC, and logistics workflows to keep service and inventory data aligned
  • Cloud scalability that ensured continuity of service without the overhead of on-premises infrastructure

The Results

With Fishbowl in the Cloud, Smart 3rd Party achieved:

  • Real-time visibility into parts, tools, and equipment across distributed locations
  • Streamlined replenishment and dispatch of onsite spares and forward stocking inventories
  • Seamless connectivity between finance, operations, and customer support systems
  • Confidence to scale, knowing their inventory system matched the complexity of their TPM service model

“Having Fishbowl connected with our other systems means fewer manual steps and fewer mistakes. Everything just flows.” – Rick Solitro

Smart 3rd Party’s TPM Ecosystem

  • Process Efficiency: Onsite spares, global FSLs, and same-day air courier delivery keep mission-critical assets running. (smart3rdparty.com)
  • Expert Support: A 24/7/365 help-desk integrated with SmartPortal and SmartNOC ensures quick escalation to Tier-4 engineers when needed.
  • Vendor-agnostic Coverage: Support for Dell, HP, NetApp, IBM, Cisco, Lenovo, and more—helping customers maximize ROI on aging but functional IT assets.
  • EOL/EOSL Insight: Access to S3P’s EOSL database gives IT leaders clarity on asset lifecycles and upgrade timing.