ASCII Group Celebrates 30th Anniversary

2014 marks 30 years in business for the membership-based community The ASCII Group, which has become the oldest and largest group of independent MSPs, VARs and solution providers in the world.

As with many businesses, numerous roles and responsibilities fall directly on the backs of the leaders of the company, and the end result is often less production, said The ASCII Group, which helps solution providers refocus their efforts back on revenue generating activities while providing support in operations, sales, marketing, purchasing and vendor management. Additionally, The ASCII Group educates all end-users of IT solutions, services and devices on the value of the solution provider and their offering of independent, trusted advice that is not dependent on a particular vendors technology. 

Alan D. Weinberger founded The ASCII Group in 1984 with 40 computer dealers to become the first industry-neutral “Community Network” of independent resellers. He organized the founding 40 software retailers to join together as a buying group and pay monthly fees to support the organization — and in turn, support each other and their programs for mutual benefit, thus resulting in the industrys first such network. 

Three decades later, the IT industry has shifted toward a service model and the core of local IT services, support and advice is now the independent MSP, VAR and solution provider. Going forward in 2014, The ASCII Group continues to have the same focus that it had in 1984 – providing solution providers with the tools necessary to survive, learn together and grow in the competitive technology market, The ASCII Group said.

“When I started The ASCII Group in 1984, I had a vision of wanting to help business owners who were instrumental in creating the IT revolution,” Chairman and CEO Weinberger said. ”I’m proud of the fact that so many years later, the 70 programs that we have established for our members have helped to expand their businesses. I believe that our 30th anniversary is a testament to listening to our members and remaining dedicated to their needs.”