ACMA envelops CMDA into its fold

Even associations seem to have bitten the merger bug. Ahmedabad Computer
Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has merged with the city's Computer Media
Dealers Association (CMDA). Over 110 CMDA members are now part of ACMA, taking
its membership up to over 300 people. "At a time when some associations in
India are falling apart, we have decided to have an association merger,"
claims RG Patel, President, ACMA.

There are several reasons why this merger was sought. Firstly, CMDA was not
highly active in the city and had not conducted any activities in the recent
past. Secondly, several of its members were not limited to doing business in
computer media and were also dealing in hardware and software. They needed an
association which would protect this extended business interests as well.
Thirdly, some members were part of both associations. So at a recent meeting,
CMDA permitted to let ACMA become the only operating association in Ahmedabad
and merged forces with it.

It was during its annual general meeting in April, 2004 that CMDA had
proposed the merger to its members and it got a positive response. "We then
initiated the formalities of the merger and all our members were assimilated
into ACMA less than a week ago," says Harkant Mali who was the VP of CMDA.

ACMA has also taken four people from CMDA's ruling committee and added them
to its existing executive council. These are Chetan Dalal of Radiant Associates,
Ashok Patel of Paragon Services, Jignesh Mehta of Dhwani Enterprises and
Himanshu Shah of Pooja Computers.

ACMA is also undertaking some other initiatives to improve the working
condition of the channel community in Ahmedabad. It recently circulated a list
of common holidays to members to bring uniformity in business practices. It is
also working on fixing a daily working timing for all members.

"We often notice that partners work late till 10pm. To discourage this,
we are enforcing a work timing for members, to ensure that they enjoy time with
their family as well," says Patel. The suggested timing is 10 AM to 7 PM.

VINITA BHATIA