AIIA and Vic Govt in industry networking push

Stan Beer
Monday, 13 February 2006 02:09

IT Industry - Strategy

ICT vendors lobby group, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), and the Victorian Government have embraked on a program to encourage local ICT business to form collaborative networks to increase their chances to win contracts.

The AIIA and Multimedia Victoria program, called CollabIT, will offer like minded companies the opportunity to form collaborative networks, or clusters, to partner for new markets and increase sales.
 
According to a joint statement, initial research has revealed that nearly 80% of the companies who have registered to participate in the program are looking to jointly tender with other ICT companies as a major business growth strategy. 
 
AIIA chief executive officer, Rob Durie said, "By facilitating the diverse range of ICT capabilities into business networks, AIIA's small to medium enterprises (SME) members intend to pool their resources to bid for ICT contracts normally out of their reach.
 
"Using AIIA's innovative partnering program, CollabIT, AIIA members will not only be assisted to establish partnerships with similar small Australian companies, but to also forge alliances with multinational corporations to tap into their substantial resources to access new markets."
 
Market intelligence, futures thinking and cooperative trade show participation have been named as potential areas of industry collaboration.
 
Mr Durie said that CollabIT was part of AIIA's vision to create a globally competitive ICT industry.
 
"AIIA welcomes the opportunity to leverage our close relationship with Multimedia Victoria to deliver this innovative program.  Yet again, MMV are leading Australia in their willingness to work with industry and secure growth opportunities.
 
"Over the next four months, AIIA will work with ICT companies in most other States to expand this exciting program.
 
"CollabIT will allow SMEs to increase their opportunities by identifying skills and synergies and sharing that knowledge and resources for joint activities," Mr Durie said.
 
Expressions of interest in the project are currently being sought at www.aiia.com.au/collabitvic from companies or individuals in the Victorian ICT industry prior to an information session on 1 March. Other states will follow over the coming months.