Software vendors voice region-wide concerns over expected software market growth

The renewal of the industry's efforts to promote the sale and support of software licensing resulted from the results of the year 2002 IT reseller channel research, commissioned by Tech Data and carried out by IDC. The research showed that the majority of resellers in the region expect software sales to grow by 10-20% in the year 2003. This, according to Tech Data, raises concerns among the company and vendor partners on how much of the expected growth is going to be lost to pirates.

Steve Lockie, managing director for Tech Data explains:" The loss does not stop at the vendors and distributors' bottom lines; it extends to reach resellers, their customers and their economies alike." He continues: "This is especially true where the in-country research showed software licenses as being the worst selling information technology product in 2002. This guide is updated with the new and more straightforward licensing programs that vendors have been working on. It is also made for easier browsing and understanding of the programs, based on channel feedback on our first version."

In April 2002, and together with Tech Data, Microsoft, Oracle, Computer Associates, Caldera, Symantec, Veritas and Novell, Tech Data launched the first Middle East "Software Licensing Guide" and as part of the company's year long "Build VAR business with Tech Data" initiative that aimed at delivering programs that increase revenue opportunities and increase bottom lines of the channel. To date, the guide was distributed to 8000 information technology resellers in the region.

While the first Middle East "Software Licensing Guide" was highly praised by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the second was considered even more crucial to raising awareness about correct licensing practices. Jawad Al Redha, BSA Co-Chairman, Middle East said: "Awareness in the channel is key to reducing the trade in illegal software, and raising service levels and support for users. We also believe that this initiative by Tech Data will increase resellers' understanding of the many business benefits that the sale of legal software brings to them"

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