Chennai SIs now have an association of their own

Sneham, a new association mainly for System Integrators (SIs), is all set to be launched shortly. It will be the forum for System Integrators association of IT in Chennai. The new association is coming up to protect and promote the interests of SIs and to be an effective body to address the channel issues and concerns.

Sneham is getting birth in the wake of DAIT (Dealers' Association of Information Technology), a premier association of channel partners in Tamil Nadu, going inactive over the last few years. In fact, some of the key members who represented DAIT are forming this association and the official announcement is expected at an early date.

However, DAIT will continue to exist as an association and according to its President Nimish Tolia, DAIT is the most recognized body in Tamil Nadu, even by the state government in its communications related to sales tax, excise council and other issues. "Whenever there was an issue, we (resellers) got together to find a solution and we will continue to work in the similar fashion. However, DAIT needs a major revival and strengthening of the association, which will be done shortly by calling the members."

In Chennai, there are two more popular associations functioning called ITTA (Information Technology Traders' Association) and G-10 Computer Dealers Association. While ITTA is mainly associated with the traders of Ritchie Street market--the hub of IT activities in Tamil Nadu and South India--G-10 Computer Dealers Association majorly focuses on the consumables resellers. There is one more low-profile association called CITRRA working for the inkjet and toner refilling and re-manufacturing service providers. Besides this, there are many associations across the State representing their local market.

Sneham means friendship and the association comes with a tagline of `Together Enhance Excellence'. The association is being formed by some of the premier resellers in the market such as H Ratna Kumar of CCS Infotech, B Krishna Kumar of Sri Lakshmi System Products, D Sridharan of PV Hi Tech Systems, Kumar of Universal Micro Systems (UMS), R Aravindan of Compact Systems, Ramanathan of Surya Peripherals and Ramkumar of Sensar Micro Electronics, who form the managing committee. "We will have two more members in the managing committee, whose names will be announced shortly," said Sridharan, who had been appointed as the Secretary of the association.

The other office bearers of the association are Ratna Kumar, President; Krishna Kumar, Vice President; and Kumar of UMS, Treasurer. Presently, the association will have its registered office at CCS Towers in T
Nagar, Chennai.

"We are presently working on the constitution and byelaws to be presented before the Registrar of Societies for the approval and formal registration of the association," revealed Sridharan. Later, the association will form many committees under the managing committee to take care of the specific tasks.

"An association like this is a long-felt requirement in the market. Of late, channels are facing many problems in business such as bad debts, payment default and in other statutory requirements and changes. To better protect the interest of resellers, we have formed this association and this will be strengthened to be a more powerful body," pointed out Ratna Kumar.

Sneham has many objectives common to the other associations, including organizing seminar and roadshows to promote the business. The association plans to collect Rs 500 as entrance fee and another Rs 500 as membership fee, which is an annual subject.

"The managing committee will meet once in every three months and as usual, the association will have its annual general body meeting (AGM) calling all the members. This apart, we will also meet whenever there is an issue to discuss and identify the solution," explained
Sridharan.

The association will have 50 members while launching and plans to enroll another 50 members before the end of this fiscal. "We will try to bring more members in the coming years and if everything goes well, we can also consider opening regional chapters across the State to cover other cities," he hoped.

With one more association coming into the space, it is the question of wait-and-watch for the result of the effective functioning of the associations in
Chennai.

S Gopikrishna