Resources: Where Do Agents Get Help?

ASSOCIATIONS

ASCII, founded in 1984, is the oldest group of independent IT solutions providers, integrators and VARs. www.ascii.com

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) represents the IT community, including manufacturers, distributors, resellers, solution providers, ISPs, ASPs, software developers, e-commerce and telecom companies. www.comptia.org

The North American Association of Telecommunications Dealers (NATD) is a nonprofit organization of companies who provide telecom products to the businesses and governments. www.natd.com  

Technology Channel Association (TCA) was formed in 2008 as a nonprofit organization to serve as the telecom channels first-ever trade association. www.tcasite.org

TelecomAssociation (TA) is a membership organization for telecom agents, channel partners and vendors that provide the telecom and technology business services. www.telecomassociation.com

Wireless Business Owners Consortium (WiBOC) represents independent wireless resellers. It provides business strategies, educational services and information on products and services to maximize dealer sales and profitability. www.wiboc.net

Wireless Industry Association/Wireless Dealers Association is an association for individuals involved in the cellular mobile telephone industry including agents, carriers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers and consultants.  www.wirelessdealers.com

ASSOCIATIONS (General Telecom)

AOTMP is a telecom management best-practice organization formed to provide telecom professionals with the information, education and knowledge they need to better manage their telecom environment and increase their value within their organizations. www.aotmp.com

COMPTEL represents competitive communications service providers and their supplier partners. www.comptel.org

CTIA The Wireless Association is an international organization representing all sectors of wireless communications cellular, PCS and enhanced specialized mobile radio. Its members include service providers, manufacturers, wireless data and Internet companies and others. www.ctia.org

Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA), formerly American Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) and Industrial Telecommunications Association (ITA), is a national advocacy and service organization working to preserve spectrum rights and access for enterprise wireless customers. www.ita-relay.com

Independent Telecommunications Expense Management (I-TEM) Association is a group of like-minded TEM providers who have no financial relationships with carriers. www.i-temassociation.org

MSPAlliance is the worlds largest professional association and accrediting body for the Managed Services Industry. www.mspalliance.com

Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA) is dedicated to advancing an understanding of the benefits of wireless services and required infrastructure to local and federal government officials and communities at large. www.pcia.com

Society of Telecommunications Consultants (STC) is an international organization of independent information and communication technology professionals. www.stcconsultants.org

Telecom Expense Management Industry Association was founded by TEM service providers to help them, their partners, their customers and their customer vendors understand and achieve the many benefits available through effective TEM. www.temia.org‘

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is a trade association representing information and communications technology suppliers and their service provider and enterprise customers. http://www.tiaonline.org

The Messaging Industry Association (TMIA) is a nonprofit organization that works to advance the awareness, adoption and use of all messaging services and technologies. www.tmia.org

USTelecom represents broadband service providers, manufacturers and suppliers providing advanced applications and entertainment.  www.ustelecom.org

Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, nonprofit organization with the goal of driving the adoption of a single worldwide-accepted standard for high-speed wireless local area networking. www.wirelessethernet.org

WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, nonprofit corporation formed to promote and certify compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based on IEEE 802.16a.  www.wimaxforum.org

Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) is dedicated to promoting and improving the WISP industry. www.wispa.org

ATTORNEYS

Arent Fox LLP represents telecom companies in regulatory filings, contract negotiations and litigation. www.arentfox.com/practices/telecom

Law Office of Mark C. Del Bianco represents competitive service providers, business users of telecom services and telecom agents in the areas of telecom litigation, contract negotiation, regulatory matters, SLAs, quotas, customer ownership and more. www.markdelbianco.com

Law Offices of Thomas K. Crowe, P.C. provides a broad range of legal services covering regulatory and compliance matters, commercial/transactional matters, litigation, lobbying/legislative representation and other specialized services, for a variety of providers, resellers, agents, CLECs and trade associations. www.tkcrowe.com

Nowalsky, Bronston & Gothard represents resellers and agents in the areas of certification, tariffing, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiation and drafting, corporate and business transactions. www.nbglaw.com

Law Office of Philip Josephson provides strategic business and general outside legal counsel to investors, entrepreneurs and emerging growth firms in the tele-information industries. www.josephson-law.com

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP (Brian Daucher, Partner) has a technology practice covering every segment of the computer and IT industries, including channel partners. www.sheppardmullin.com

Technology Law Group LLC specializes in strategic, regulatory, litigation and transactional issues faced by telecom and technology companies. www.tlgdc.com

CONSORTIA

Agent Alliance is a networking and buying organization of telecom marketing and sales companies, including master and independent agencies. www.agentalliance.net

Technology Assurance Group (TAG) is a national organization of independently owned telecom dealers. It provides training and group buying services to its members. www.tagnational.com

CONSULTANTS

The 2112 Group LLC is an independent consultancy specializing in technology and channel communications and intelligence services. http://www.the2112group.com

4-Profit is a technology focused advisory services company working exclusively with channel-centric solution providers, manufacturers and distributors. www.4-profit.com

Channel Maven Consulting provides strategic channel and marketing consulting to IT organizations. http://www.channelmavenconsulting.com

Corporate Ladders specializes in sales, marketing and business development for technology and telecommunications companies. www.corporateladders.com

MarketRace is a full-service channel consulting and implementation firm. It helps companies design, build and execute their channel strategies. www.marketrace.com

Presti Research & Consulting Inc. specializes in channel research and channel building programs. www.prestiresearch.com

EVENTS

ASCII Reseller Success Summits is a multicity tour of one-day events for IT solutions providers. www.asciievents.com

Channel Partners Conference & Expo is devoted exclusively to The Channel agents, VARs, systems integrators, interconnects, wireless dealers and consultants selling communications products and services. http://www.channelpartnersconference.com

CompTIA Breakaway is an event for the IT channel, bringing more than 1,000 industry executives together. http://breakaway.comptia.org

Interop is a global business technology event that brings together business and IT leaders. www.interop.com

Wireless Dealers Expo is designed expressly for the independent cellular, electronics and audio dealer. http://www.intelecardexpo.com

XChange attracts more than 1,000 solutions providers and vendors in diverse technology areas to build business relationships. http://www.cmpxchange.com

GOVERNMENT

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent U.S. government agency charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. www.fcc.gov

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is an agency of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, the executive branchs principal voice on domestic and international telecommunications and information technology issues. www.ntia.doc.gov

RESEARCH FIRMS

AMI Partners specializes in the global analysis of IT, Internet, and telecom trends in the global small and medium business marketplace. www.ami-partners.com

Aberdeen Group provides fact-based research focused on the global technology-driven value chain. www.aberdeen.com

Analysys Mason delivers strategy advice, operations support and market intelligence worldwide to commercial and public sector organizations in telecom, IT and media. www.analysysmason.com

IDC is a global provider of market intelligence, advisory services and events for the IT, telecommunications and consumer technology markets. www.idc.com

Forrester Research Inc. is an independent technology and market research company that provides business and technology advice. www.forrester.com

Gartner Inc. provides information technology research and advice. www.gartner.com

Presti Research & Consulting Inc. specializes in channel partner recruitment, training, compensation plans, lead generation, online offerings, marketing and communications, services and support, channel conflict issues and more. www.prestiresearch.com

Yankee Group is an independent technology research and consulting firm on the impact of global connectivity revolution on enterprises and consumers. www.yankeegroup.com

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Channel Partners Network, an online extension of the Channel Partners Conference & Expo, is dedicated to the indirect sales channel for communications products and services. www.channelpartnersconference.com/linkedin

CrossConnects North America: Telecom & Telephony Sales Professionals Group is a cross-disciplined group committed to connecting sales professionals across all telecom and telephony areas for the purposes of both business growth and professional development throughout North America. www.linkedin.com/crossconnectsnorthamerica

Technology Channel Association is a members-only group as an extension of the TCA (Technology Channel Association), a nonprofit member association for the educational and professional development of the indirect agent channel in telecommunications and IT. www.linkedin.com/technologychannelassociation

Telecom Association (TA) allows TA members to network with one another. TA is for telecom agents, channel partners, consultants and vendors who distribute telecom network services and equipment to business customers. www.linkedin.com/telecomassociation

Telecom Channel Partners is a forum for VARs, agents and dealers to meet with carriers and offer solutions throughout the world. www.linkedin.com/telecomchannelpartners

Telecom Executives Business Network is for professionals working within the telecommunications industry. The focus of the group is on building an executive business network that can help foster the growth and networking of members as well as the entire telecom industry. www.linkedin.com/telecomexecutivesbusinessnetwork

Telecom Expense Management is an open group for professionals who are involved with telecom expense management to discuss best practices and questions in this area. www.linkedin.com/telecomexpensemanagement

Telecom Sales Professionals invites all telecom (wireless and wireline) sales executives working within the rapidly growing telecommunications industry all over the world to create professional network. www.linkedin.com/telecomsalesprofessionals

Telecom Sales Pros is a group dedicated to the sharing of information pertinent to the success of telecom agents throughout North America. www.linkedin.com/telecomsalespros

Trusted Business Advisor (VAR) is a group designed to promote easier interaction and collaboration for vendors, distributors, VARs and consultants. www.linkedin.com/trustedbusinessadvisor

TRAINING FIRMS

Corporate Dynamics Inc. is a consultative selling and dealer training firm that specializes in sales, customer service and the management of those functions. www.corpdyn.com

Bredison & Associates is a global training and coaching company specializing in maximizing performance, increasing productivity and establishing an effective sales process. www.bredison.com

Integrated Alliances is a social media marketing training company whose founders have experience in the telecom channel business. www.integratedalliances.com

Peak Performance Management Inc. offers training for sales management executives, professional sales people and other professionals who have responsibility for building and expanding a client base for their services and products. www.superiorselling.com

Rad-Info Inc. founder Peter Radizeski conducts seminars on selling telecom services based on his book Sellecom.” www.rad-info.net/seminars

TECHtionary.com offers online tutorials and live seminars on technology. www.techtionary.com

Telecom Training Corp. (TTC) offers technical product training and sales, call center and management seminars, plus end-to-end training solutions for CLECs, ILECs, IXCs, ASPs, software developers, wireless providers, distributors and resellers. www.telecomtrainingcorporation.com

Disclaimer: While every effort is made to provide accurate information, the data contained herein was gathered from publicly available websites. If your company or organization was not listed, but provides  relevant services to the channel  and would like to be included in future editions of the PHONE+ Fact Book, please contact Khali Henderson at [email protected].

Looking for More?

Join us at the Spring 2011 Channel Partners Conference & Expo for a pre-conference educational track on Sunday, March 14, at 9 a.m. A full morning of tutorial sessions will be followed by a Q&A with a panel of experts who will offer advice and address any unanswered questions. Visit

http://www.channelpartnersconference.com

.