"Define Distributors" - echos Siliguri

Venturing into the second largest IT market in the east, The DQ Week Tech Caravan reached the plains of Siliguri on May 18 striving to address the key issues and problems faced by the IT channels in the region.

What began as a mere gathering with the local channel partners there turned out to be a huge jamboree with over 80 channel partners gathering to echo a common voice at hotel Saluja Residency held in association with North Bengal IT Traders Organization (NITO).

Featuring as the local association partner for The DQ Week Tech Caravan, the association left no stone unturned in ensuring that its members turn up with key issues and address them to the editorial panel.

The evening began with Mrityunjay Agarwala, territory manager (West Bengal), Symantec Software Solutions introducing to the partners about the benefits of using Norton. Adding to the technical part, Agarwala elucidated about various channel schemes the company has introduced for its partners. Also, he highlighted that Norton is on the lookout for strong partners in Siliguri.

The stage was thereafter left to NITO with Ajay Jain, president, NITO beginning the session with a keynote address followed by a video clipping showing the journey of NITO.

Speaking about the association and The DQ Week, Jain said, "I would like to thank The DQ Week for bringing to us such an event where we can discuss our issues and bring them to the forefront."

After the end of the nostalgic NITO video clip, Gagan Joshi, member, NITO elated the spirits of the members with a breathtaking address to the conglomerate highlighting the fact that "good work, in whatever capacity it may be, never goes unnoticed and NITO needs to strive more to achieve excellence".

The forum was thereafter made open for the partners to discuss their issues and grievances to the Editorial Panel.

Speaking over the market momentum, Manoje Baid, past president, NITO said, "The tiers of distribution, especially that of the national distributors needs to be addressed in the region as billing is now done to partners without necessarily checking their profile".

Further, Jayanta Halder, member, NITO said, "We need clarity over defining national distributors as often we notice overlapping of business lines".

Although the expected ND Policy of Confederation of Indian IT Associations (CIITA) is poised to answer the questions raised by Halder, NITO members did not seem convinced enough about the move.

"Let's hope for the best when the ND policy comes into effect", Baid added.

The sponsors of the event were Symantec, Uniline and Portronics.