CompTIA encourages IT channel to adopt best business practices

CompTIA is hoping to encourage IT channel partners to adopt and use best business practices, after it created two new industry standards for its users and members, including Australian channel partners.

Australian Premier channel partners can now access the free resource, Managed Service Provider agreement, which covers all aspects of MSP contracts.

"The legal resources being created specifically for Australian market will, once complete, offer a set of legal resources tailored for the unique needs of IT companies in the region. We are offering members a comprehensive yet easy-to-use library to help them work through the legal issues which arise in day-to-day business operations," ‎says Nick Beaugeard, CEO and Founder at HubOne and CompTIA ANZ community chair.

"These resources are designed for new and established solution providers and will provide the basic forms they will need to sell software and services, conduct negotiations, and contract their services," says Karen Drewitt, general manager for The Missing Link.

CompTIA has also developed standards for international customers, including, 'CompTIA Channel Standard for Cybersecurity' and 'CompTIA Channel Standard for Managed Print Providers' are the results of a collaborative effort from long-standing IT channel professionals who provided industry knowledge and expertise.

"As the leading vendor-neutral tech trade association, we believe in providing tools to advance the industry. The channel standards are just one example of how, through the sharing of knowledge and ideas, we can help channel partners operate more effectively," says Kelly Ricker, senior vice president, events and education at CompTIA.

The 'CompTIA Channel Standard for Cybersecurity' uses the five pillars of cybersecurity: Identification, protection, detection, response and recovery to form intelligent business practices. The standard is also based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology's 'Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity'.

"Adherence to these industry standards and best practices will help channel companies to optimize their standing as experts at a time when cybersecurity is a growing concern and priority for so many of their customers," Ricker explains.

The 'CompTIA Channel Standard for Managed Print Providers' uses four critical business functions: Business direction, business generation, customer relations and delivery and operation. It provides intelligent business practices for managed print services firms.

"Though many organisations are reducing their print volumes, printing remains a critical function in the business world and a potential business opportunity for solution providers," Ricker noted. "To help them grow their print business, we're providing clear, comprehensive guidance from our industry's leading practitioners in areas such as technical proficiency, marketing, benchmarking, customer relations and support and business management," Ricker concludes.

The standards are free of charge to all CompTIA registered users, premier members and non-members.