The deadlock prevailed between Kerala IT Dealers Association (AKITDA) and HP ended and as per the agreement, HP Personal Systems Group agreed to resolve the issues relating to the new distribution policy. In return, the association lifted the ban imposed on HP and its national distributors.

According to Toshy Mathew, President, AKITDA, “During our conversation with the top management of HP, they assured that they will remove the telecom partners from the sub-distribution in Kerala. HP also assured to us in a written agreement that the company will not encourage direct selling for HP PCs.”

The problem began after the joining of Sunil Dutt in HP’s Personal Solution Group. He was previously working with Nokia and all his friends are from telecom sector. After joining in HP, Mr Dutt changed the distribution pattern in favour of the telecom sector. As per his new policy, he allowed his telecom friends to deal with HP products. This means, computer business shifted from the reseller community to the telecom sector. This irks the association and it went for a protest against this strategy. 

“We are very happy to resolve the issues. It is the success of our team effort and I appreciate all the members of AKITDA to extend their support for these many days,” Mr Mathew told.