BSA initiates cheering up channels

This year, Business Software Alliance (BSA), a non-profit trade association, has started channel engagement program for the IT associations and software partners. The core objective of this program is to jointly work with these associations, wherein the members can communicate the message of secure and legal selling of software to the customers. Currently, the association is in talks with ISODA and TAIT.

Speaking exclusively to The DQ Week, Lizum Mishra, director, BSA said, "Of late, we had a meeting with ISODA and TAIT associations in Mumbai, where both the associations have agreed to work jointly with us. Currently, we are working out future modalities to take this forward. In this first and unique step, we are first educating channel associations on secure and legal use of software. As we know, channel is the first point of contact for the customer. Also, they are getting direct revenue from the sale of legitimate software. Hence through this alliance we are targeting to reach as many customers, as possible."

The next association which BSA is going to meet is Delhi based PCAIT. BSA wanted to add more and more local IT associations into its kitty.

Moreover, BSA wants to enforce the message, that selling of secured software brings trust and respect from the customer; secondly, it wants the IT associations to generate more revenue from the sale of genuine software and lastly, it wants them to keep away from legal hassles.

While talking to The DQ Week, Harinder Salwan, secretary, ISODA said, "The meeting was fruitful and we have proposed the idea of awarding and recognizing resellers and customers at our ISODA summit. Starting with the practice of using anti-piracy stickers on products, we will work on the taxation and pricing issue."