CDW vs SHI vs Router-Switch: Key Differences in Enterprise IT Procurement

Modern IT procurement is no longer just about buying “boxes.” For IT managers, systems integrators, and enterprise procurement teams, the challenge lies in balancing growing bandwidth demands, multi-country IT deployments, and tight budgets. Choosing the right supplier can significantly affect Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), operational efficiency, and deployment speed.

Among the most commonly considered vendors are CDW, SHI, and Router-Switch. While all three provide enterprise hardware, their approaches, pricing structures, and global capabilities differ. Understanding these differences is essential for informed sourcing decisions.

Table of Contents

• Part 1: Product Range & Brand Coverage
• Part 2: Pricing & Discounts
• Part 3: Delivery & Logistics
• Part 4: Technical Support & Services
• Part 5: Authorized vs Independent Distribution
• Part 6: Conclusion & Recommendations
• FAQ: Enterprise IT Procurement

Part 1: Product Range & Brand Coverage

CDW is a Fortune 500 multi-brand provider serving business, government, education, and healthcare sectors. Their catalog spans peripherals, servers, networking, and storage, with primary focus on the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

SHI International serves over 17,000 global customers, historically strong in enterprise software licensing, contract management, and IT optimization, alongside hardware procurement.

Router-Switch specializes in ICT infrastructure with a large standing inventory of Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches, HPE ProLiant servers, Fortinet firewalls, and other enterprise devices. They support multi-brand sourcing, allowing organizations to consolidate equipment from multiple manufacturers into a single procurement workflow for multi-country deployments.

For more comparisons on alternatives to CDW and SHI, you can see: Top Competitors of CDW and SHI Competitors & Best Alternatives.

Part 2: Pricing & Discounts

Traditional VARs like CDW and SHI follow multi-layered distribution: Vendor → National Distributor → Regional Distributor → Reseller. This "margin stacking" can lead to multiple markups before hardware reaches the end-user. While standard discounts exist, flexibility is often limited for SMB projects or smaller volumes.

Router-Switch uses a cost-optimization model, sourcing hardware from regions with competitive pricing and minimizing intermediate markups. Discounts often range from 50% to 98% off list prices, making it a strong option for budget-conscious multi-country IT projects.

Part 3: Delivery & Logistics

Logistics differentiates these vendors significantly. CDW and SHI rely on integration centers in select regions (e.g., New Jersey, Illinois, the U.K., Singapore), which can sometimes result in extended lead times for deployments outside core territories.

Router-Switch manages global distribution across 200+ countries, coordinating multi-brand inventory to support simultaneous delivery to multiple locations. This centralized approach is critical for multi-country IT deployments, ensuring consistency and reducing administrative overhead.

Part 4: Technical Support & Services

CDW and SHI provide official support and consulting, but the experience can depend on the assigned account manager.

Router-Switch offers RS Care, providing technical assistance from CCIE, HPE, and Dell-certified engineers. Services include:

• Free remote diagnosis and compatibility checks for multi-brand environments.
• Advanced Replacement: Immediate dispatch of replacement units for failed devices under warranty, minimizing downtime.

Part 5: Authorized vs Independent Distribution

When comparing CDW, SHI, and Router-Switch:

• CDW and SHI: Fully authorized OEM partners, guaranteeing official warranties, software licensing, and SmartNet/Support coverage.
• Router-Switch: Holds official brand partnerships with multiple enterprise manufacturers, including Ruckus, Dell, Ruijie, Topsec, and Lenovo. For globally recognized vendors with limited regional authorization (e.g., Cisco), RS complements authorized channels with flexible sourcing options to meet enterprise deployment needs.

This approach allows IT teams to access authorized equipment where available, while ensuring continuity and compatibility across brands and regions, without implying coverage where official authorization is restricted.

Part 6: Conclusion & Recommendations

Choosing between CDW, SHI, and Router-Switch depends on project priorities:

• CDW or SHI: Suitable for traditional U.S.-centric VAR relationships, extensive software licensing, or strict corporate mandates.
• Router-Switch: Ideal for budget-conscious, multi-country deployments, or projects requiring a combination of new and authorized multi-brand equipment for optimized TCO.

For guidance on how Router-Switch supports global IT procurement, see Router-Switch global solutions.

FAQ: Enterprise IT Procurement

Q1: Can I get certified pre-owned Cisco or multi-brand hardware?

Yes, certified pre-owned options are available from reputable vendors, providing reliable devices with documentation and quality verification.

Q2: How does Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) work for multi-brand deployments?

TPM provides cost-effective support for devices from multiple vendors (Cisco, Dell, HPE, etc.), often 50–70% cheaper than OEM support, including replacement and technical assistance.

Q3: Are discounts on Router-Switch reliable compared to CDW/SHI?

Yes. Router-Switch leverages global price arbitrage and bulk inventory to offer competitive pricing, often significantly lower than standard regional list prices.

Q4: Which vendor is better for SMB vs. enterprise-scale projects?

CDW and SHI target large accounts with complex contracts. Router-Switch supports both SMBs and large enterprises needing fast global fulfillment or budget optimization.

Q5: Is SHI a reseller or distributor?

SHI is a Value-Added Reseller (VAR). Distributors typically sell to resellers, who then provide equipment to end-users.

Q6: Which is better, a switch or a router?

A switch connects devices within a LAN, while a router connects multiple networks and manages traffic between them.

Q7: What is the difference between a multilayer switch and a router?

A multilayer switch can perform both switching and some routing functions within the same hardware fabric, while a router handles complex inter-network routing protocols.