Fibre Channel chief seeks reseller support

Resellers have been urged to use the Fibre Channel Industry Association as a sales tool by Paul Talbut, the non-profit-making organisation's chairman.

Resellers have been urged to use the Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA) as a sales tool by Paul Talbut, the non-profit-making organisation's chairman.

In an interview with Computer Reseller News, Talbut also hit back at the suggestion that emerging technology such as iSCSI will overtake Fibre Channel technology.

FCIA acts as a support for vendors, OEMs and the channel by endorsing industry events and encouraging networking among partners. Talbut said: "We accelerate the channel market through business which is struck at the networking events we organise."

"FCIA also helps startup companies by putting them in touch with vendors and partners at our events," he added, "and we offer independent training, educational information and support."

Hamish Macarthur, chief executive of market analyst Macarthur Stroud International, said: "FCIA is a forum for the suppliers to address key issues of introducing new technologies. It helps to ensure that vendors work together to offer solutions that work with each other. The number of users implementing ibre Channel networks rose by 120 per cent last year, and is forecast to double this year."

Talbut claimed that "IT doesn't stand still" when it comes to emerging echnologies, such as iSCSI and Infiniband, which compete with as well as omplement Fibre Channel technology.

"Fibre Channel is today's accepted technology. Customers believe in it, and it will be the technology for the next five years," he said.

FCIA has three levels of membership. Corporate membership costs $4000 (£2813), SMEs with less than 10 staff must pay $2500, and individual membership costs $500.

Also published in Computer Reseller News