IT channel: Holding on, despite the odds
The Indian IT channel has always lived by its own unique rules, and while these did not raise any hackles during the heady boom days, most of them either had to be written off or reinvented to help channel players survive the downturn. Chris Ann Fichardo has an update on the current survival strategies of India’s IT channel

Vendors cosy up to regional distributors
Though a recent phenomenon, the regional distribution model is becoming quite popular. In fact this model has forced both vendors and national distributors to relook at their distribution strategy, says Punita Jasrotia

VAPs create win-win situations for vendors
With almost 7,000 value-added resellers/distributors in the market today, the value-added partner (VAP) segment is witnessing aggressive competition. While more and more VAPs take to providing value-added services to gain an edge over competitors, vendors are reaping immense benefits. Gaurav Patra reports

Retail grows in IT as vendor confidence on a high
More and more IT companies are looking at the consumerisation and commoditisation of products like PCs, printers, scanners, Internet connection kits and digital cameras through retailing. And going by the number of retail outlets that companies like HCL and HP are investing in, the concept of IT retailing is definitely gaining ground, says Shipra Arora

Warranty blues: Is there a solution in sight?
Falling margins and stagnant sales are not the only issues plaguing channel players. They have one more burning issue in the form of warranty to contend with. So important is this issue that it even affects the positioning of a brand. Stanley Glancy and Srikanth R P discuss the key challenges and problems for both resellers and vendors, brought about as a result of warranty hassles