CMDA merges into ACMA

Chetan Dalal, Ashok Patel, Jignesh Mehta and Himanshu Shah join the ACMA
Executive Council

Ahmedabad Computer Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has mer-ged with the city's
Computer Media Dealers Association (CMDA). Over 110 CMDA mem-bers are now part
of ACMA, taking its membership up to over 300 people. "At a time when some
associations in India are falling apart, we have decided to have an association
merger," stated RG Patel, President, ACMA.

There are several reasons why this merger was sought. Firstly, CMDA was not
highly active in the city and had not conducted any activities in the recent
past. Secondly, several of its members were not limited to doing business in
computer media and were also dealing in hardware and software. They needed an
association that would pro-tect this extended business interests as well.

Thirdly, some members were part of both associations. So at a recent meeting
CMDA permitted to let ACMA become the only operating association in Ahmedabad
and merged forces with it.

It was during its AGM in April, 2004 that CMDA had proposed the merger to its
members and got a positive response. "We then initiated the formalities of
the merger and all our members were assimilated into ACMA less than a week
ago," said Harkant Mali who was the VP of CMDA.

ACMA has also taken four people from CMDA's ruling committee and added them
to its existing executive council. These are Chetan Dalal of Radiant Associates,
Ashok Patel of Paragon Services, Jignesh Mehta of Dhwani Enterprises and
Himanshu Shah of Pooja Computers.

ACMA is also undertaking some other initiatives to imp-rove the working
condition of the channel community in Ahmedabad. It recently circu-lated a list
of common holidays to members to bring uniformity in business practices. It is
also working on fixing a daily work-ing timing for all members. "We often
notice that partners work late till 10pm. To discourage this, we are enforcing a
work timing for members, to ensure that they enjoy time with their family as
well," said Patel. The suggested timing is 10 AM to 7 PM.

Vinita Bhatia

Mumbai