TechSelect to Celebrate a Decade of Partnerships and Contributions to the Channel

"When we established TechSelect in 1999, there were only 20 members representing a fraction of our total U.S. Sales," said Tech Data Senior Vice President, U.S. Sales Murray Wright. "Now, the TechSelect community is nearly 450 members strong and combined for more than $1 billion in technology purchases from Tech Data last year. That speaks volumes for the growth TechSelect has experienced, the strength of the community and the influence its members have on the industry."

Partnering For Success

TechSelect is comprised of IT resellers from around the country who share best practices and partner with one another to build their businesses.

"Our participation in TechSelect has been fundamental to our growth and success," said Advanced Vision Technology Group President and TechSelect Advisory Council President Sam Ruggeri. "Our managed services business is a prime example. We built that practice by learning from others willing to share their experiences, successes and failures. TechSelect has helped make our business what is today."

Building Stronger Resellers

"The focus on building stronger businesses creates tremendous ROI for members," said Rory Sanchez, president, SLPowers. "TechSelect helps us provide greater value and support to our customers, as well as enabling us to grow our business and forge tighter relationships with our vendor partners."

TechSelect hosts two Partner Conferences each year where members, Tech Data executives, leading vendors and industry experts discuss emerging technologies, sales and marketing strategies, and business-management best practices.

"There are a lot of channel conferences out there where you can meet and interact with vendors," said Allan Walters, senior vice president, Saratoga Technologies. "The TechSelect Partner Conference was the first event I had been to where the intent was for you to talk to other VARs and learn from each other."

In 2004, TechSelect introduced TechSelect University. The first SMB reseller conference of its kind, TechSelect University enables members to send their sales, technical and marketing employees to attend free or discounted training. Since its inception, TechSelect has provided members more than $1 million worth of training. Next year the community will host two TechSelect Universities.

"TechSelect University provides excellent training sessions for our people," added Sanchez. "TechSelect University enables us to send techs and field people, further strengthening our technical capabilities, as well as our ties to other member companies."

More recently, TechSelect introduced its Peer Groups, expert-led, peer-to-peer workshops that help members collaborate on improving their businesses. Members share operating plans and balance sheets, providing valuable benchmarks to identify areas for improvement. Peer Group topics include profitability, and sales and services management, and new workshops are planned for next year.

"We're a small business in Alabama, and I had always thought we were a bit behind other resellers," said David Hooper, owner of STC Network Services. "What we've learned through TechSelect is that we're in the right place and our business concerns and issues are business as normal. Working with other members, we're able to find solutions to many of the challenges we face."

Setting The Standard

"TechSelect members provide invaluable counsel to Tech Data's most senior leadership," added Wright. "They have guided the development of innovative tools, services and support that ultimately benefit the entire channel."

The Internet Commerce Council (ICC) -- comprised of TechSelect members -- was a driving force behind MyOrderTracker(TM), Tech Data's exclusive order tracking tool available to all resellers. The ICC also provides guidance for improvements to www.techdata.com, which is used by 55,000 resellers each year. The Technology Solutions Tour and the TechEDG Government and Education Services events were modeled in part after the success of TechSelect's Partner Conferences, bringing valuable business-building and engagement opportunities to resellers and vendors throughout the channel.

Rewarding Membership

TechSelect provides resellers with an array of exclusive benefits. These include two Partner Conferences and discounted technical certification training at TechSelect University; in-depth, expert-led business-improvement workshops; and annual marketing development funds. In addition, members receive discounted shipping terms on all Tech Data purchases; extended terms for commercial, government and education solutions through Tech Data's third-party financing partners; thousands of dollars in exclusive vendor promotions; and discounts on many Tech Data services.

To learn more about the TechSelect community, becoming a member or the 10th anniversary celebration in November, call 800-237-8931, ext. 84529, or visit www.techselect.com.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) is one of the world's largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these value-added resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 102nd on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $24.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.

SOURCE: Tech Data Corporation

Tech Data Corporation 
Jarred LeFebvre, 800-305-3374 
jarred.lefebvre@techdata.com