The Australian Information Industry Association already represents a small number of resellers in a broad sense by providing access to shared knowledge, industry influence and the opportunity to network with other members, however, AIIA is looking to create a special interest group for resellers.
As Kathryn Porritt, General Manager of Membership and Business Services commented, “If we can build on that our current membership of reseller companies it will allow us to create a targeted member group around the needs of that market,”
Data#3 managing director, John Grant, is on the AIIA Board of Directors and has a favourable view of the establishment of a targeted reseller member group within the AIIA’s membership.
“I feel that the AIIA and members would benefit if we segmented how we approach policy, the ways in which we provide services and how we communicate to our different members and the ICT community,” he commented.
“The reseller community is a very significant sector of the ICT industry and, as with any other, has different needs. Given this, initiatives that see AIIA and its industry policy more closely in touch with this sector can only be positive and of benefit to current reseller members and prospective members,” he added.
Dimension Data Marketing Director, Gerard Florian, was quoted in a recent article in Australian Reseller News which explored the concept of developing a reseller association and reported that AIIA was looking to do just that.
In the article, Mr Florian commented that the concept of AIIA creating a reseller association within the AIIA framework was appealing. He also noted that in his opinion, the IT channel was falling behind if you compared to (the) level of organisation found in some other industries. He cited the Australian Medical Association as an example.
“I think there are times where the reseller community should come together to look at issues,” Florian said. “The training of young people is a big topic, for example. We can’t wait for the government of the day to do that.
“It’s not unusual to see the heads of competing law firms come together to talk about their industry, why can’t we?”
“It’s difficult to start from the ground up, but if something could be done within the structure of AIIA we would absolutely be interested in participating,” he said.
AIIA is keen to hear from resellers interested in being part of a reseller network and welcome feedback regarding existing AIIA member benefits and any ‘reseller specific’ benefits that reseller organisations feel would be beneficial.
For further information about opportunities for resellers within AIIA or to provide feedback and suggestions, please contact Kathryn Porritt, General Manager – Membership & Business Services on 02 6281 9444 or k.porritt@aiia.com.au