CompTIA to Conduct Census of IT Channel

Effort will measure economic impact of IT businesses

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A comprehensive census of businesses in the information technology (IT) industry channel will be conducted in 2011 by CompTIA, the industry’s leading non-profit trade association announced Tuesday.

“small businesses get the benefits of the type of [technology] tools we’ve developed”

CompTIA president and chief executive officer Todd Thibodeaux made the announcement here during his keynote speech at Breakaway 2010, the premier event for IT companies in North America. More than 1,000 industry leaders are attending the annual conference, which continues through Thursday, Aug. 12.

“This first of its kind census will gauge the size, shape, metrics and practices of companies operating in the IT channel,” Thibodeaux said. “The data we collect will provide a valuable foundation and a credible picture of the huge amount of economic vitality and employment our industry contributes to the domestic and global economies.”

The IT channel census project will be led by the Channel Vanguard Council, an initiative launched by CompTIA at Breakaway 2009. The Channel Vanguard Council is comprised of executives of IT vendors, distributors and service and solution providers. The groups meets regularly to discuss a wide-range of issues including technologies, services, business models and processes and best practices, market influences and conditions and supplier relations.

Thibodeaux told Breakaway attendees that a number of mechanisms will be established in the coming months to engage all facets of the IT industry in the census.

Other highlights of day two at Breakaway 2010 included a business keynote speech by Daniel H. Pink, author of several bestselling books about the changing world of work. Pink, who focuses on “the science of motivation,” advised the audience to re-think conventional wisdom about what motivates individuals to perform at a high level. While seeking rewards or avoiding punishment may serve as motivators at a basic level, individuals are also motivated by their desire for autonomy, mastery and purpose, said Pink.

The industry keynote speech was delivered by Ian Pennell, senior vice president, Small Business Technology Group, Cisco Systems. Pennell focused on how technology customers – from manufacturers and vendors through partners and solution providers – can better serve their small business customers. The goal is to assure that “small businesses get the benefits of the type of [technology] tools we’ve developed,” said Pennell.

“There is an absolute need for the partner to be the hero, the quarterback who makes these things go,” Pennell added. “We have to deliver on the promise of being a trusted advisor who is there when they need them.”

A number of companies used this week’s Breakaway 2010 conference as a stage to announce new and updated products and services. Among the companies making news at Breakaway include Artisan Infrastructure, Doyenz, hawkeye Channel, iolo technologies, N-able Technologies, Own Web Now and Spiceworks.

Platinum Level sponsors of Breakaway 2010 include Autotask, Cisco Systems Inc., ConnectWise, Ingram Micro, Intronis Inc., itControl Solutions Inc., McAfee, Motorola, SYNNEX Corporation and Xerox.

The Gold Level sponsor of Breakaway 2010 is Kaseya.

Silver Level sponsors include Doyenz, Inc., eGestalt Technologies Inc., Intel, N-able Technologies, OnForce, Worldwide TechServices and Yfactor.

For more information, visit http://www.comptia.org/breakaway/default.aspx.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org or follow CompTIA on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/comptia.