Consumer IT interviews V.M. Chandrasekar, MD of Global Distribution FZE, nearly a billion-dollar global IT distributor based in Dubai

The IT world is changing with the speed of light and companies that fail to keep pace will simply die, says a key Dubai-headquartered IT distributor.

V.M  Chandrasekar, founder-group managing director of Global Distribution FZE, spoke to us while on the occasion of  his company’s international executive meeting. Chandrasekar flew in 25 key of his business heads from around the world for a three-day conference in Dubai to brainstorm innovative ways to ensure his company keeps changing with the times.

Established in 2001, the $900-million Global Distribution FZE operates in Europe (Germany, Austria, The Netherlands), Latin America (14 countries including Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and the Caribbean), India and the Middle East. With a 35% year-on -year growth, it works through a network of over 50 offices, has 80,000 sq ft warehouse space and employs over 650 people worldwide. It deals in finished goods and components and its partners include top names such as Apple, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, LG, SAP, Cisco, WD, Xerox, Seagate and others

In a Q&A session, Chandrasekar-- a man who has personally witnessed the IT space transform itself over the years-- brings us up-to-date with his views on the current IT distribution market.

European Ingram Micro Q2 2012 sales decline by -7% Y-o-Y to $2.5 billion despite double-digit growth in Germany and the UK-- causing the world's biggest distributor to admit such growth is not sustainable.

Driving the strong German and UK growth is Ingram's "gaining further share" in SME, as well as stronger sales in e-tail and retail customers. However the rest of Europe continues feeling the crunch from the Eurozone crisis, particularly in S. Europe.

Meanwhile global Q2 2012 Ingram sales are Continue reading...

Klaus Hellmich resigns as CEO of ALSO-Actebis following over 20 years of service in IT distribution, citing personal reasons "in order to pursue other interests outside of the Group."

Replacing him is former Prof. Gustavo Möller-Hergt, the man responsible for the integration project of ALSO and Actebis.

The appointment of Möller-Hergt also eliminates the dual management structure of CEO and COO-- resulting in the simplification and shortening of decision processes.

ALSO-Actebis management starts Continue reading...

Hauppauge Digital releases StreamEez, designed as a simple- to-use, HD video streamer.

Designed to broadcast live events over internet, the StreamEez box connects to an HD video camera using HDMI or component video. It compresses the camera's video (using a built-in H.264 encoder) into a form compatible with common streaming video sites such as USTREAM and Justin.tv.

StreamEez then connects via USB to a laptop computer equipped with Hauppauge’s StreamEez control application, making a Continue reading...

ITdistri launches the first IT distribution guide in Maghreb...

The Maghreb guide is available in French or English as a 100-page PDF file from over 3500 IT resellers in the 3 main French-speaking Maghreb countries.

It has data on around 202 local and international distributors, semi-distributors, brokers, traders and VADs working in the region.

The guide is also available directly through ITdistri or its press partners.

"...Some vendors cover Maghreb only from foreign countries. But it is often Continue reading...

Ingram Micro Logistics signs an agreement to provide Freecom logistics and e-commerce services across Europe.

Freecom says outsourcing these 2 key business parts helps streamline the process, free up capital and improve order accuracy.

This new agreement brings the market new services and ideas, Ingram says. The company supplies chain services for manufacturers, publishers, brick and mortar retailers and web marketers.

Go Ingram Micro Logistics adds Freecom to Customers

Tech Data buys Triade Holding, a Netherlands-based distributor for consumer electronics, mobility and IT products that sells in Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands. Triade held Rosemeier Electronics in Denmark and HON, Quote and Battrex in the Benelux countries.

Simultaneously, Brightstar Europe (JV between Brightstar and Tech Data) will buy Triade’s Mobile Communications Co. unit. The deals should close in Q3.

Tech Data buys certain assets of distributor DLI.

Distribuicao e Logistica para Informatica, with €124m in annual revenue, serves the Portuguese corporate IT and consumer IT sectors.

Go DLi Acquisition