Press Release

FixITLocal takes on the Geek Squad

New scheme aims to be the saviour of the indie reseller

Cambridgeshire, 25th July 2007.

Well established connectivity services distributor DMSL is using the strength of its database and market relationships to launch an organisation that puts local user need in touch with local service providers.

FixITlocal is recruiting independent resellers who will receive phone calls from SMEs and consumers, routed directly to them and advertises a £49.99 rate for the first hour's work. DMSL promises that there will be national advertising to support the scheme, on top of the regular e-shots that they will be sending on behalf of scheme members to their 700,000+ database of UK homes and businesses. In addition resellers get access to an impressive range of products and services - including some exclusive offers - for on-selling to the customer.

There is a cost to register under the scheme, just £10 a month, but John Carter, DMSL's MD is dismissive of any fears that the scheme might not deliver leads. "We are signing up members now, but giving them completely free membership until 2008. The end user marketing campaign will be rolling by September, which means that resellers will have a full three months to trial the system before we're looking for money from them. It really is a no-risk - massive reward scenario. I can't see any reseller not signing up, quite frankly."

In addition to getting given local leads, FixITlocal resellers will have access to some exclusive product & service offers provided by some leading channel names including Northamber and BT.

There is one key condition for resellers wishing to register under the scheme. They must agree to conform to the Industry Code of Practice, regulated by the Professional Computing Association (PCA). They do this by joining the Association as, at the minimum, a Confidence Assured Member. John Carter says "We are going to be advertising a professional service to the customers, and they will expect the very best standards, the PCA's Code of Practice guarantees them third party help should they have problems."

Keith Warburton, CEO of the PCA looks at it another way; "The Code and consumer guidance on our website promote sensible attitudes on the part of the customer; we even have a section that asks the customer, before they raise a complaint, to consider whether their problem is due to them having an unreasonable expectation. Our Code works to protect and support the reseller as much as it protects the customer."

The PCA, reflecting DMSL's offer of free membership to their scheme, will not be asking for its fees until January 2008, and even then for the first year it will be at half the normal rate for Confidence Assured Members, £25 instead of the current £50.

PCA and DMSL are united in their view the FixITlocal scheme should really be a no-brainer for the channel.

http://www.fixitlocal.co.uk/promo/promoregistration.shtml

-ENDS-

For further information please contact: Kerri Chard Senior PR Consultant The PR Room Ltd Tel: 0845 0942901 Kerri.Chard@theprroom.co.uk

PCA Background

Founded in 1993 the PC Association is a not for profit trade association of businesses from all parts of the ICT Industry, including vendors, distributors, system builders, resellers, publishers and finance organisations. Membership has grown year-on-year and is now in excess of 550. Joint turnover of member tops £50 billion.

The Code of Practice

Defines the way PCA members may interact with customers both pre and post-sale. Members who deal in counterfeit products, or knowingly encourage or facilitate the theft of intellectual property on the part of their customers will have their membership revoked.