ITACS praises Microsoft shift

Trade body and software giant bury the hatchet and look to deepen relationship

ITACS has welcomed a “sea change” in Microsoft’s dealings with smaller retailers after the software giant extended the olive branch to the trade body following criticisms of its repairs policies.

ITACS had raised concerns about its members’ inability to repair laptops where the Windows Vista Certificate of Authenticity sticker had faded or peeled. Matthew Woolley, chairman of the trade body, indicated Microsoft had contacted him to allay his qualms.

“They are going to look at addressing the quality of the stickers and ways they can help us do repair work,” he said. “This is a fantastic result.”

He indicated that Microsoft had assured him of the importance of consumer PC retailers, claiming it expected the domestic market to account for 45 per cent of PC shipments this year.

Woolley added the software vendor had told him it hoped ITACS members would become “part of the Microsoft ecosystem”.

Alison Dodd, OEM senior director for Microsoft UK, claimed smaller VARs are important to Microsoft.

“We have about 6,000 different resellers who build and repair PCs,” she said. “And if there are any issues in the marketplace, resellers can call our partner hotline.”