ISODA Relaunches Hyderabad Chapter

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–B Swaminathan

Hyderabad, July 2026: India’s IT channel ecosystem, spanning system integrators, value-added resellers, distributors, independent software vendors and SaaS companies, has increasingly leaned on industry associations to bridge the gap between OEMs and the partners who take their products to market. As the channel business expands beyond metro strongholds into emerging B-class cities, associations that can offer structured collaboration, referrals and peer learning are finding themselves at the centre of this growth story.

The Infotech Software Dealers Association (ISODA), India’s association for IT channel partners, is one such body pursuing this expansion. The association recently relaunched its Hyderabad Chapter, bringing together system integrators, value-added resellers, distributors, ISVs and SaaS companies from the city alongside its national leadership and existing members, in a move it frames as part of a wider strategy to deepen its national footprint.

Stage and Slides Give Way to Peer Dialogue

Unlike a conventional presentation-led event, the Hyderabad evening was designed around conversation and peer interaction. ISODA Chairman Vinod Kumar opened proceedings by outlining the challenges facing the IT channel ecosystem and the growing need for stronger collaboration, knowledge sharing and trusted business relationships among partners. This was followed by an interactive conversation between Vice Chairman Vimesh Avlani and Membership Drive Lead Yogesh Chordia, who discussed ISODA’s journey, its member ecosystem, chapter structure, flagship initiatives, national events and the tangible business outcomes members have derived from the association.

Referrals, Trust and Local Wins

The audience also heard from Hyderabad-based ISODA members who shared how the association has contributed to their business growth through trusted relationships, referrals, collaboration and knowledge exchange. Among them were Dr. Jagannath Kallakurchi, Ex-Chairman of ISODA and Managing Director & CEO of Choice Solutions Limited, Aravind Mandala of 64 Network Security, and Subbaram Gowra of Cyber Vigilens and Gowra Bits and Bytes.

A highlight of the evening was an open networking session in which every attendee introduced themselves and their organisation, an exercise organisers say helped spark meaningful conversations and potential business connections among participants. “Strong industry associations are built on participation, trust and collaboration. Hyderabad has always been an important technology market and we are delighted to see such encouraging interest as we strengthen ISODA’s presence in the city,” Vimesh said.

Next Stop: India’s B-Class Cities

The Hyderabad relaunch is only the latest step in a broader expansion drive. ISODA currently counts more than 200 member companies across 25 cities, and the association is now looking to extend its presence into other B-class cities, with an internal target of touching around 250-plus members by FY26. The idea, ISODA leadership says, is to get members in established markets to collaborate with those in smaller cities, helping both new and existing members tap into markets that are growing.

The Hyderabad Model Goes National

The conversation-led format used in Hyderabad is expected to be carried forward as the template for future chapter launches. ISODA National President Jitesh Chauhan credited Yogesh and Vimesh, along with the wider team, for the shift away from a stage-and-slides approach. “Moving from a traditional presentation-led format to a conversation-led one is exactly the kind of change that makes these sessions genuinely valuable for members. Real dialogue, peer interaction and open networking create far stronger connections than a stage-and-slides format ever could,” Jitesh said, adding that members can expect the same approach at chapter launches going forward.

24 ISVs, 14 Distributors, One Growing Network

On the scale of collaboration flowing through the network, Jitesh pointed to the association’s base of technology partners. ISODA today works with around 24 Independent Software Vendors actively showcasing their products to members, alongside 14 distributor partners who support members across sales and technical functions. With more than ₹15,000 crore in annual business flowing through the network and over 20,000 professionals connected to it, the association believes this momentum will help it set a new benchmark for the channel industry as it grows.