Tech Caravan travels to Kochi

The DQWeek-Tech Caravan, an initiative to create a platform for the channel partners across the country to meet, discuss and find remedies for their immediate and long-term concerns has successfully conducted its meet in Kochi. Members from All Kerala IT Dealers Association (AKITDA) also participated in the event which is a newer version of The DQWeek's IT Panchayat.

Inaugurating the event, Toshy Mathew, president, AKITDA, Ernakulam, said, "We channel partners, during our school days-even though aware that only one will grab the first place-practiced the habit of combined-studies which was a sign of healthy competition. However, now, after attaining maturity and becoming entrepreneurs, few of us indulge in unhealthy competitions. What happened to that unity?" Mathew said that the biggest need of the hour is to grow together. Nullifying the fable created by the media portraying-IT, as a whole, is growing and seeing greater profits, he clarified that only software companies are making thick profits whereas the channel partners are still struggling. "In such a situation we should make active participation in our association by participating in all the meetings organized by us," he stressed.

Following that, in a panel-discussion, on e-commerce, Satheesh, branch head, Abacus Infotech said, "In today's scenario, e-commerce websites have become a ready-reckoner for the prices of the products. Many of our customers, even though, may not purchase the product online, have started practicing the tradition of demanding us the rate mentioned in those websites." CD Martin of Paragon System and Services said that it is high-time for the members in the association to unite and play active role in facing the issue. Almost every channel partner participating in the The DQWeek-Tech Caravan, conducted in Kochi, has accepted the bitter-truth, that online shopping has slowly started curbing their business.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mathew, on the various anti-piracy raids conducted by leading vendors, said that channel partners are forced by the customers to sell pirated software. "I can bet that channel partner from across the country would always prefer suggesting original software instead of fake ones. The vendors should try to educate the end-customers instead of conducting raids on the premises of channel partners," he said. Stating that some the channel partners have no choice to satisfy their customers, may install the pirated versions.

ESET was the premium sponsor for the event. There was also a lucky draw, sponsored by Rx Infotech and Tony Thomas of Advanced IT Wave was the lucky-winner. The next Tech Caravan is scheduled to be held at Coimbatore on March 6, 2012.