/dqweek/media/agency_attachments/JNb31gQnqJvAm0jqPxaV.png)
Follow Us
lang="en-US">In
order to protest against the distribution policy enforced by
HP
the PSG division few months ago, TAIT has banned HP products
unanimously. “We are against the company's policy of ignoring IT
channel partners and appointing telecom partners. This could prove
catastrophic for the channels and the entire segment will be wiped
out. Our major concern is that the tier-1 and tier-2 cities
have a dialogue with HP twice on this issue but it seems that they
are very stern on their decision. Hence we have decided not to back
out, as we are doing it only for the benefit of the channels. TAIT
has never taken such a decision in the past but we will ensure that
this decision gets implemented across the IT community without any
exception,” said Ketan Patel, President, TAIT. Patel further added,
“
partners will
continue to sell HP products till Sep 11
this
is to help members who could be carrying HP inventory. After
this deadline, no member will deal in any HP products. TAIT has taken
this very important stand to ensure that IT business remains in the
IT channel and the association will be very vocal towards any attempt
by any brand, which bypasses the IT channel. TAIT has in the past
developed and fostered healthy relations with the entire IT ecosystem
and will continue to promote healthy and ethical business practices.
TAIT has a very important responsibility, to protect the interests of
the IT channel and its welfare. We will continue to work towards
ensuring healthy margins for its members by training members in
various technologies”.
HP policy in the PSG
division will implement a new way of distribution, wherein it will
substantially reduce its business with the national distributors and
will appoint more regional players to drive its business. Champak Raj
Gurjar, CEO, Maxtone Electronics and Director, TAIT opined, “We
have been royally ignored by HP in-spite of serving them for the past
20-25 years now. Why should the telecom guys get all the profit, we
will fight until we get justice on this matter. At the recently-held
meeting, 80-90 members expressed their concern and gave a consensus
to our decision. After all we are fighting for a real cause and
justice is what matters”. Talks are also on with
other associations across Maharashtra to ban HP and TAIT is trying to
gain support for the channels. In fact they have started distributing
posters for banning HP, internally among their members, as the news
is yet to reach other partners in Mumbai. When contacted, Nitin Shah,
MD, Allied Digital Services, seemed to have no idea about any such
ban in Mumbai.
One of the HP partners,
who sells only HP products, on the condition on anonymity said that,
the current model of HP has benefited the HP world-stores and thus
they have refrained from the ban. He further added, “For us, it is
the day to day business and banning is not a solution, at least at
this point of time, when the festival season is in full swing all
around. I do support the call of the IT fraternity but I also believe
that the demand can be solved through certain discussions.”
Undoubtedly, there will be
a lot of reaction from the channels regarding the issue, however,
nothing concrete has come out of HP yet.
Networking geared up for partner community