GTDC: IT Distributors Are Rapidly Transforming

IT distributors are responding to global events, economies and changes in consumer and B2B demand with unprecedented initiatives and investments.

That was the message from the Global Technology Distribution Council’s (GTDC) annual GTDC Forum 2021 Wednesday.

GTDC’s Frank Vitagliano

“Technology distributors continue to rapidly transform with the times,” said GTDC CEO, Frank Vitagliano.

Vitagliano noted the “increasingly vital role” of IT distributors in XaaS markets, cloud and cybersecurity.

“We know IT distributors have effectively adapted to what’s transpired over the past couple of years as well as through many years of industry transformation. It’s been a hallmark of distribution for decades – the ability to continuously deliver new value and thrive regardless of how products, solutions, technologies, business models and services change.”

In North America, distributor cloud business grew 27% in 2020 over the previous year, and 25% in EMEA. In its 2021 report, The XaaS Revolution, the GTDC said the role distributors play in an XaaS-dominant industry is evolving.

“The world’s distributors of ICT goods and services are experts at helping their partners find their way through the fog created by this massive interruption. Distributors, vendors and channel partners have ample opportunity to elevate their game in the XaaS economy.”

Shifts in Demand, Availability Constraints and Other Challenges

Vitagliano said the virtual event centered on helping vendors “learn more about distribution advantages to leverage, emerging technology developments to keep top of mind.” Also it covered “what channel solution providers and end customers require in the emerging new norm.”

“We are grateful for all the hard work that went into making GTDC Forum 2021 highly informative and impactful.”

He said it “takes an especially deft digital touch to bring such a powerful group of leaders and influencers together from across the world.” This is particularly relevant given that the industry “is responding to extraordinary shifts in demand, availability constraints as well as other challenges.”

IT distributors annually drive more than $150 billion in product and services revenue worldwide.