Organizations are increasingly dependent on technologies that streamline and automate operations, and AI allows channel partners to deliver in both areas for their clients. That is just one of the benefits of artificial intelligence that are discussed with a panel of industry experts in this episode of Beyond Distribution, which was recorded live at GTDC Summit EMEA in Madrid. Moderated by IT Channel Consultant Alex Tatham, the group share their firsthand experiences and unique insight into the solutions and business use cases that are helping to generate interest and actual revenue streams across the ICT community.

Which industries are adopting AI the fastest? How can channel companies collaborate to deliver more valuable solutions to their end customers? The experts joining Tatham to answer those questions and add other insightful anecdotes include:

• Jelle Acda, CEO, Acda Consultancy

• Zu Khoja, SVP Architecture & Innovation Nielsen IQ

• Justo Oreja Vega, Director Specialist, Microsoft

• David Watt, CEO, CI Group

If you missed this year’s event, watch for the save the date for GTTDC Summit EMEA 2026! Also, be sure to check out our 2025 Summit Recap details on all the insightful sessions and activities.

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.  

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.  

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.  

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. 

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.  

Cloud transformation continues to shake up and reshape the technology channel, and vendors and solution providers are looking for easier ways to scale these offerings, according to Eric Nowak, President of Global Enterprise Computing Solutions at Arrow. He joins host Frank Vitagliano in episode 49 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for an interactive discussion on that topic and shares his thoughts on the current and future direction of IT distribution.

What role will AI and data analytics play in rolling out new technologies? How can vendors leverage digital platforms to optimize their distribution ROI and quickly scale revenue streams and solution adoption? Check out this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for those answers and more.

 Be sure to visit the GTDC Knowledge Hub for access to all episodes of the podcast and other valued industry resources.

Supporting tech innovation in an area with multiple cultures and languages and many geographic barriers is challenging for even the largest vendors. According to Ali Baghdadi, SVP and CEO for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) for Ingram Micro, those are key reasons why those companies look to distributors to build and support strong channel efforts in those communities. He shares his insight on overcoming those obstacles and the region’s growing demand for innovation, including AI, digital transformation and cybersecurity with Frank Vitagliano in episode 48 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.  

What are the largest technology opportunities in this region? How can vendors gain the most traction with their investments? Which advanced technologies are in high demand in different parts of the region? Listen to this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for those answers and more.   

 Go to the GTDC Knowledge Hub for more podcast episodes and other valued industry resources.