CompTIA IT Services and Support Executive Forum Sets New Initiatives

Prior to concluding the formal meeting sessions for day one in Tampa, the group held a lively interactive workshop to determine the key issues not being addressed by the services industry. This is always a great time to be in the meetings, to see the topics each company (and their representatives) is passionate about. With a varied audience of service providers, vendors, distributors, and parts logistics companies in one room, it tends to amplify the dialogue of this brainstorming session.

Topics included everything from revising current certifications (encompassing additional technologies) to defining new processes were covered in the workshop, which are all listed and then vetted by the entire group. In the end, a vote of attendees determines the viable candidates (if any) to be assigned a working committee-- sort of a “Survivor” for IT services initiatives. Today, the group determined that initiatives were needed for OEM (warranty fraud) and SMB (create a resource portal for end users).

Some of the initiative prospects that didn’t get approved could be adopted at later meetings, so it’s not a do-or-die process.  As demonstrated in past meetings, some topics are either too new, or their potential impact on the IT services industry just hasn’t appeared to be significant enough yet. The process followed at these meetings clearly illustrates that CompTIA is a member-driven organization, and the executives and leaders in attendance play a key role in advancing the association’s programs.

With the formal meetings concluded today, CompTIA will host a networking reception for attendees to meet a few new people and discuss other business opportunities. As I’ve heard repeated many times, the afterhours event meetings are the frosting on the cake, getting a chance to meet one-to-one to collaborate or create new opportunities for members and their respective companies.

If you’re interested in attending a future meeting, contact the community team at [email protected]. Day 2 of the IT Services and Support Executive Forum starts bright and early tomorrow morning, so watch for my posts.

– Brian Sherman, CompTIA Roving Reporter