Building a Trusted Channel Services Aggregator: A Conversation with Jason Beal and Andrew Warren of Exclusive Networks
While the industry has long embraced the IT distributor model, today the term channel services aggregator provides a more accurate description of what these organizations do for vendors and solution providers, suggests Jason Beal, President of North America for Exclusive Networks. In this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, Beal and his VP of Sales and Marketing Andrew Warren share their insights on the industry’s transformation, the rapid rise of cybersecurity and other noteworthy topics with host Frank Vitagliano. The trio also touched on the increasing role of AI in data protection, the importance of personal relationships in the channel and what lies ahead for Exclusive Networks’ enhanced North American operations.
How will AI and automation enhance the customer experience and affect the personal touch channel partners expect from distributors?
What can distributors do to build trust and strengthen engagement with partners, vendors and other stakeholders?
Listen to this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for those answers and more.
Also, check out the GTDC Knowledge Hub to enjoy the video or audio versions of all 54 episodes of the podcast and access a wide array of other valued industry resources.
--------
40:27
European Distribution Leaders Look to the Future at GTDC Summit EMEA
Despite global economic uncertainty, the value of ICT distribution continues to strengthen with new technologies, services and platform investments. In episode 53 of Beyond Distribution, host Frank Vitagliano moderates an insightful conversation on what the future holds for the channel as well as its rapidly changing ecosystem with a panel of European distribution executives. This session was recorded live at the recent GTDC Summit EMEA event in Madrid, Spain. From expanding portfolios and digital platforms to incorporating AI everywhere, the group touched on a number of critical channel topics, including the opportunities and challenges of operating in today’s disruptive global environment.
The executive panel included:
Ali Baghdadi, SVP & Chief Country Executive, Ingram Micro (MEA focus)
Nick Bannister, President ECS EMEA, Arrow Electronics
Alessandro Cattani, CEO, Esprinet
Frank Salmon, CEO, CMS Distribution Ltd.
Where are distributors investing their resources? How will innovation spur their sales and support capabilities? Listen to this extraordinary episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC to find out.
--------
40:27
Global Policy Shifts and Financial Outlook with Emily Mansfield of the EIU
Geopolitical changes are creating uncertainties across the globe, from new policies and tariffs to potentially temporary supply chain moves. Despite those reservations, the IT industry have several reasons to be optimistic this year, suggests Emily Mansfield, Regional Director, Europe, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The 2025 GTDC Summit EMEA speaker joins host Frank Vitagliano for an interactive discussion on European and worldwide concerns and factors that could boost (or impede) IT spending in episode 52 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.
How will tariff threats, the Ukrainian conflict and other political uncertainties affect markets and buying capabilities? What impact could positive trends in inflation and interest rates have on consumers and businesses?
Hear the answers to those questions in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.
Visit the GTDC Knowledge Hub for access to additional podcast episodes and other valued industry resources.
--------
31:28
Distribution’s Evolution and Future. Insight from Top Executives at GTDC Summit NA
Rapid change deeply impacts the channel, and IT distributors are orchestrating those transformations. In episode 51, Frank Vitagliano moderates an insightful conversation on that topic with a panel of the top distribution executives in North America, recorded live at the February GTDC Summit NA in Oceanside, CA. The group touches on a number of critical channel topics, including upstream and downstream advances with AI and collaboration opportunities with hyperscalers, and discuss the challenges of the current global environment. Frank’s guests include:
Sean Kerins, President and CEO, Arrow Electronics
Dan Schwab, Co-President, D&H
Paul Bay, CEO, Ingram Micro
Patrick Zammit - CEO, TD SYNNEX
What can channel expect from distributors in the future? How will AI impact sales, marketing, support and other operations? Check out this special episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC to hear their answers.
--------
38:14
Visiting the Past and Future of Distribution with Industry Legend Steve Raymund
From the early pick-pack-and-ship operations to modern-day cloud and innovation incubators, IT distribution has undergone a major transformation, according to Steve Raymund, retired chair and CEO of the former Tech Data (now TD SYNNEX). The channel pioneer joins host Frank Vitagliano in this special 50th episode of Beyond Distribution to discuss milestones in the IT industry’s evolution, channel dynamics and the origins of the GTDC.
They discuss the company’s founding by Raymund’s father in 1974 as a data supply retailer with a handful of employees, as well as his personal experiences leading and reshaping the organization from the 1980s through his retirement in 2017. From reselling components and computers before the internet to the introduction of multi-vendor solutions and the cloud, their conversation covers a lot of historical ground.
Which investments, innovations and trends had the greatest impact on the industry? How did the needs and abilities of the IT community shift since those early days of distribution? Get those answers and learn how the transformation from hardware-centric to services-driven IT businesses reinvented the channel in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.
Check out the GTDC Knowledge Hub to access previous episodes of the podcast and other valued industry resources.
This podcast series focuses on insightful one-to-one conversations between Frank Vitagliano, CEO of the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) and respected thought leaders from the IT community. From executives of the world’s leading tech distributors and tech vendors to esteemed analysts, researchers and other astute professionals, guests share their unique perspectives on trends and activities in the channel in a non-promotional and unbiased format.
Listen to Beyond Distribution with GTDC, The AI Daily Brief (Formerly The AI Breakdown): Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
USA