In episode 71 of GTDC Beyond Distribution, recorded live at the 2026 GTDC North America Summit, Sven Rathjen, Vice President of Global Strategic Channel Partners at HP, joins host Frank Vitagliano for a wide‑ranging discussion on the evolution of IT distribution and the accelerating impact of AI on the channel.

Rathjen shares his career journey from distribution into the vendor ecosystem and explains why a deep understanding of distribution remains foundational to running a successful channel organization. He explores how distributors have evolved from logistics and fulfillment engines into digital platform providers—delivering AI‑enabled insights, subscription and consumption models, and scalable partner enablement.

The conversation also dives into HP’s Amplify platform, AI training initiatives and data‑driven go‑to‑market strategies. How has partner adoption of these technologies advanced? What are the ROI considerations for AI? How will artificial intelligence reshape how the distributors and vendors engage with channel partners and their customers?

Check out this must‑listen episode for those answers and more.

In Episode #70 of the Beyond Distribution with GTDC Podcast, host Frank Vitagliano welcomes back Emily Mansfield, Regional Director for Europe at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), for a timely conversation on what today’s heightened geopolitical volatility means for the global economy—and for firms trying to plan and invest amid constant disruption. 

The renowned economist breaks down the dynamics of the recent conflicts and political policy changes, including tariffs, as well as their effects on pricing, inflation expectations and business growth outlooks. She also shares why scenario planning is essential right now, outlining a range of potential timelines and outcomes that business leaders should be actively stress-testing.

The discussion also looks beyond the headlines to the forces shaping the next phase of growth—from Europe’s investment tailwinds (including infrastructure, digital modernization and rising defense outlays) to the lingering trade uncertainties and the macro importance of the AI capex boom. Tune into this episode for more practical takeaways and a preview of the upcoming GTDC Summit EMEA event in the Netherlands. 

For more information on global market trends, check out the latest articles, research and resources on the GTDC Knowledge Hub.   

Episode #69 was recorded live during the February GTDC Summit North America event, with CEO Frank Vitagliano moderating a wide-ranging discussion with three of the most influential leaders in North American IT distribution: Eric Nowak, President of Global Enterprise Computing at Arrow Electronics; Paul Bay, CEO of Ingram Micro; and Patrick Zammit, CEO of TD SYNNEX. These distributors collectively drive more than $120 billion in annual IT sales, and their executives provided a unique, top-down perspective on the state and future of the channel in this session.

The main part of the conversation focused on how distribution has evolved from a traditional intermediary role into a platform-driven orchestrator of complex cloud and AI ecosystems. They dove into a variety of topics, from their massive investments in digital platforms and automation of low-value transactional work to lifecycle management of cloud and AI subscriptions. The conversation also highlighted the potential of strong hyperscaler relationships—moving from a perceived disintermediation threat to a powerful partnership opportunity that could enable scale, private offers and new revenue models across the channel.

How will AI adoption acceleration impact their businesses, as well as their partners? What impact will digital platforms have on the vendor and solution provider communities? Get the complete “view from the top” in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.

In episode 68 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, Sandra Ng—IDC’s Senior Vice President of Research based in Singapore—joins host Frank Vitagliano to map the 2026 priorities reshaping enterprise technology and the IT channel. She explains why composite AI is moving from concept to necessity, with organizations blending generative, predictive, prescriptive and agentic approaches to deliver explainable, reliable business outcomes.

Ng highlights the rise of “agent economics” and the human–AI matrix, which urges leaders to rethink value, productivity and accountability frameworks as autonomous agents take on more tasks. She mentions big barriers like governance, culture, and talent that could slow adoption in APJ and other fast-growing technology regions, and stresses urgency in developing applied (not just technical) skills.

How will AI accelerate cloud modernization? What could implementation of these technologies mean to data residency, latency and resilience requirements? This episode provides answers to those questions and covers other topics of great relevance to the APJ technology community.

Technology—especially AI—is seen as a major force supporting global growth and driving productivity gains across all business sectors, including healthcare and biotech, suggests Constance Hunter, Chief Analyst for the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). In episode 67 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, the esteemed economist joins host Frank Vitagliano for a comprehensive discussion on the current state of the U.S. and global economies and factors that could affect conditions in the future.

Hunter explains how trade liberalization is progressing in many regions in response to U.S. tariff policies and also describes how policy shifts are influencing inflation, demand and business pricing decisions. What are the broader effects of geopolitical conflicts? How could energy market constraints and environmental and governance factors impact long-term economic stability?

Hunter and Vitagliano address those questions and discuss other economic-related topics in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC. For more information on global market trends, check out the latest articles, research and resources on the GTDC Knowledge Hub.

In episode 66 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, Jen Waltz, CEO & CISO of Imajenative joins host Frank Vitagliano and GTDC SVP of Operations Kavita May for a wide‑ranging conversation on channel orchestration, partner enablement, and leadership. Waltz emphasizes the increasing importance of strong cybersecurity disciplines today as the business community sits at the intersection of digital transformation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. (

The group also discuss the value of taking purpose‑driven approach when building channel programs: empowering vendors, distributors and partners to win in today’s complex, compliance‑heavy landscape. Orchestration, strategic alignment, and regulatory support spanning frameworks like NIST, CMMC, and Zero Trust are essential to success in the IT industry today.

What type of leadership is needed to ensure more positive outcomes? How can mentoring women and other underrepresented members of the IT community drive better corporate performance? Check out this engaging episode for those answers (and more).

Engage with like-minded channel executives and learn about the latest IT ecosystem trend. Register today to attend GTDC Summit North America 2026, February 18-19 at the Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California!

Home to three of the top five global economies, the APJ region represents a massive consumer and business base and a diverse portfolio of economies. That situation creates a resilient environment for the IT industry, which was a central theme of the distribution executive panel discussion during the GTDC Summit APJ in Singapore. Moderated by GTDC CEO Frank Vitagliano, the group shared their insight on technology trends and market consolidation and looked to the future of distribution.

What impact will AI have on the APJ business community and IT industry? How are digital platforms and hyperscalers affecting the channel? Check out episode #65 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for answers to those questions and for more high-level insight from panelists:   

• Jaideep Malhotra, President, Asia Pacific & Japan, TD SYNNEX

• Luis Lourenco, SVP & Chief Executive ASEAN & Hong Kong, Ingram Micro

• V.S. Hariharan, Managing Director and Group CEO, Redington Limited

• Patrick Aaronson, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of APAC, Westcon.   

 If you missed this year’s event, consider attending GTDC Summit North America 2026, February 18-19 at the Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California!

Sustainability is more than a global initiative or industry talking point; it has become an important business strategy that is driving thought leadership across the IT industry, according to Virginie Le Barbu, Global Sustainability Director, International Markets for Lenovo. In episode 64 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, she shares her experiences and insight on this critical topic with host Frank Vitagliano and special guest co-host GTDC Sustainability Project Leader Dominique Deklerck.

Their conversation covered Lenovo’s new sustainability initiatives, the role of AI in driving innovation in the circular economy and collaboration opportunities across the channel. Le Barbu also shares the challenges and future of eco-friendly product design.

How can the community accelerate sustainability transformation across the channel? What challenges and opportunities do channel companies face balancing AI innovation with responsible energy use? Le Barbu, Vitagliano and Deklerck address those questions and discuss inflation’s impact on Asia Pacific in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC. For more information on global market trends, check out the latest articles, research and resources on the GTDC Knowledge Hub.