IT membership community The ASCII Group has crossed a new milestone, reaching 35 years of offering North American MSPs, VARs, and solution providers access to preferred pricing, networking opportunities, exposure to the latest technology, significant operating cost reductions, and more.
Founded in 1984 in a Washington D.C. suburb by Chairman and CEO†Alan D. Weinberger, The ASCII Group originally comprised 40 ex-franchisees of a software chain. “I took a step back in the early 1980s at the start of the IT revolution and was able to reflect on the specialized, educated individuals who were driving the revolution by implementing the final solutions of new software and services, rather than just the computer retail giants or a few large vendors,” said Weinberger in prepared remarks.
Recognizing a need to provide business tools for growth to like-minded IT professionals was the company’s founding principle three decades ago, he adds, and still is today. Under Weinberger’s continued leadership, The ASCII Group remains committed to providing MSPs a united, trusted community coupled with programs, services, and opportunities. With a focus on meeting the needs of its members, the company’s offerings have expanded as the channel has evolved and new technologies requiring learning and expertise have emerged.
“We joined ASCII in 1988 in order to join the group buy discounts with distributors and have been members ever since,” said Chip Evans, president of Vienna, Va.-based MSP and solution provider Computerware Inc., in a press statement. “ASCII continues to save us money on our purchases but also adds so many more benefits with business support, technology education, knowledge sharing and peer networking. It’s wonderful to be part of an organization that†puts the interest of its members first and continues to promote our importance in the industry.”
Over the last five years, ASCII has experienced significant growth within North America, driven by member retention and a vendor neutral business model. “For 35 years our mission has always been to help independent IT companies collaborate, learn, and become more efficient,” said ASCII Group President Jerry Koutavas in a press release. “We are very proud to have made a difference in the success of so many businesses, and we look forward to continuing to provide new services to help MSPs.”
The ASCII Group will commemorate its 35th birthday throughout the next twelve months and host an anniversary celebration at its IT Success Summit in Washington D.C. †For more details on all of ASCII’s IT Success Summits, visit www.asciievents.com.
