That the world is sitting up and taking notice in the Indian market and its
potential is something which is given and the IT distribution sector is not to
be left behind. News trickling in suggests that Global Technology Distribution
Council (GTDC) is looking at the Indian IT market with interest and is might
even be interested in starting an Indian chapter of its global consortium. Last
week GTDC held a closed door meeting with some of the top distributors in the
country and the move is seen by industry trackers as a first step by the
consortium to setup an Indian chapter.
For those of you who might not be aware, GTDC is a consortium of the IT
industry's leading wholesale distributors. At present nine of GTDC's member
companies are US-based organizations; while seven have their headquarters
outside the US. The way the consortium works is that individual companies
serving on GTDC come together to represent and safeguard the interests of the IT
distribution industry as a whole. Their two annual events, The Global Technology
Distribution Summit and an Investor Relations Conference, are aimed to provide a
platform for its members to hold open discussions with strategic representatives
from the vendor and analyst communities.
Timothy Curran, CEO, GTDC held a closed door meeting in Bengaluru last week
and the attendees included some of the biggest names among the distribution
business in India. According to sources people who have attended the meeting
include K Jaishankar of Ingram Micro, S Neogi of Redington, Paras Shah of
Neoteric, Suresh Pansari of Rashi Peripherals, Anil Jagasia of Savex, Sanjiv
Krishen of Iris and VK Bhandari of Supertron.
When contacted Neogi of Redington, who is also being credited as a
facilitator for the meeting, was not willing to provide any details about the
meeting and instead said that Tim Curran would be the right person to comment.
In response to an e-mail query about the meeting Curran replied that he was
traveling on business and he would be back in his office only next week and
would then share details about the same.
A source who was privy to the meeting said that nothing is decided as yet
about who all will be a part of the Indian chapter. It was an hour long meeting,
in which Tim Curran explained what was happening globally and had initial talks
about GTDC's foray in India.
VK Bhandari of Supertron was a bit more forthcoming about the meeting and
sharing some details commented, "Only a few selected people, around seven, were
invited in the conference in Bangalore and there was a discussion on opening an
Indian Chapter. Since they are debuting in India, they are first trying to
understand the dynamics of the Indian market and chalk out a strategy.
Discussions over the Indian Chapter is in a preliminary stage and there is
nothing much to share about. From the perspective of the IT channel association
and channel partner, we need to first understand their various clauses and the
benefits it may fetch to the channel community and vice-versa."
Pansari of Rashi Peripherals who is out of the country and Jagasia of Savex,
who was attending a family wedding, remained unavailable for comment. Despite
repeated attempts Krishen of Iris, Jaishankar of Ingram and Shah of Neoteric did
not comment about the meeting.
While it is confirmed that GTDC is in fact coming to India, what remains to
be seen is how many of the existing Indian distributors would join in. Sources
suggest that joining in would make a big dent economically. At present the
companies who are part of global consortium are paying a couple of thousand
dollars for being a part of GTDC, which going by current conversion rate would
be a big impediment for anyone who is thinking of joining in.
At present the executive council of GTDC apart from Curran comprises of Tom
Dolan, CEO, Westcon (who is also Chairman of GTDC), Robert Dutokowsky, CEO, Tech
Data Corporation, Fabian Von Kuenheim, CEO, Magirus, Gregory Spierkel, CEO,
Ingram Micro and Roy Vallee, Chairman & CEO, Avnet.