In an exclusive interaction with Singapore-based Jaideep Malhotra, President, Asia Pacific, Tech Data shares how the company’s team is supporting its partners and conducting channel partner events virtually to mitigate service disruptions
Overall, the pandemic has brought an increasing need for organisations to adapt swiftly to changing business dynamics, especially with remote work and continued digital transformation. Tech Data, an end-to-end IT distributor with an offerings portfolio that spans across endpoint devices, most advanced data centre solutions and next-generation technologies, is well positioned to handle the current scenario from a workflow perspective, as the fundamentals are in place to successfully carryout remote work capabilities. In particular, it smoothly transitioned to having the majority of its office-based employees work from home, supported by equipment and resources that help teams to effectively support the channel partners.
The pandemic has underscored the importance of having a robust business continuity plan to help mitigate service impacts and business risk. The business continuity plan includes measures to recover normal business operations as quickly as possible, and also to mitigate impacts to the stakeholders during incidents.
Tech Data continues to monitor the Covid-19 developments with a primary focus on the health and safety of its employees while mitigating business impacts for its channel partners. In support of this, in February, it activated its global business continuity plan and are convening regular meetings with teams across the business and globe. As part of this, the distributor is following heightened infectious disease guidelines and have taken additional steps, including suspending all business travel and face-to-face meetings; requiring nearly 100 per cent office-based colleagues to work from home; increasing communications with information about the virus and how to prevent the spread of illness; and providing increased cleaning routines and suspending all visitor access to the facilities.
Speaking exclusively to CRN India Jaideep Malhotra, President, Asia Pacific, Tech Data says, “For our channel partners, we are making efforts to mitigate service disruptions, including working with our vendors to have adequate supply to accommodate potential disruptions, as well as monitoring vendor backlogs and shipment and delivery acknowledgement dates. In addition, we have begun conducting channel partner events virtually and have received extremely positive feedback on this new approach so far.”
With rise in cyber threats, Tech Data has strengthened its security practices, he adds, “The reality with cybersecurity is that new sophisticated attacks surface each day. Tech Data takes cyber security very seriously, and we have a team of professionals dedicated to protecting our business, our colleagues and our channel partners. In addition, as part of our strategy of investing in next-generation technologies, we offer a broad portfolio of security offerings designed to help strengthen organisations’ security practices.”
Recovery plan
The recovery plan of Tech Data continues to evolve with the market and ever-changing dynamic of the pandemic. “Our focus remains on business continuity and includes measures to mitigate impacts to our stakeholders as we define the “new normal.” We are in the process of creating global return-to-office guidelines and protocols, designed to be cautious, flexible and rigorous while taking a gradual, methodical and measured approach,” Malhotra informs. In this challenging situation, Tech Data remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of its employees, supporting channel partners and continuing to remain transparent with regular communication updates, and to provide the best possible service levels.
