1st Tier Technology: Where Product Knowledge Makes The Difference

1st Tier Technology, LLC has served the international IT community for 6 years, focusing mainly on Sun/Oracle product lines. This tight focus on particular product lines gives the staff the comprehensive, hands-on knowledge and experience customers rely on.

Managing partner, Jamie Scott, founded 1st Tier Technology in 2005 with the goal of making the company a top tier organization both in product knowledge, sales, and service. Scott sets an example for the staff in that area. He told Tradeloop that he's earning an MBA in International Business and hopes to gain "a more comprehensive understanding of how to manage a business from every aspect; from the employee wants and needs, to the client's desires and ever evolving tastes and needs."

1st Tier Technology's business model has evolved as well. In 2010, the company became a stocking broker and services both wholesale and end-user customers – mainly brokers. Maintaining customer loyalty is key, Scott noted. He attributes the large number of repeat customers to the expertise that comes with product specialization:

"It gives us a more concentrated customer base and lets our staff develop expertise in the product lines our clients prefer. We also offer in-house tech/repair services for our gear should the need arise, thus cutting down time in transit so our clients are up and running faster, which is integral to their success."

While the company has succeeded in a tough market, 1st Tier Technology faces the same challenges as every other Tradeloop member. One large issue is fraud and counterfeiting in the IT industry. Although every company wants to broaden market share, all have to be careful about fraudulent buyers and sellers. "Counterfeiting crushes trust and depresses prices," Scott stressed, so finding reliable, legitimate buyers and sellers is crucial.

"We feel Tradeloop and the ethics committee has done, and continues to do, a stellar job in getting these folks off the site, essentially cutting them off at the knees."

1st Tier Technology also offers a wide range of Cisco and HP products. Its large inventory of ready-to-ship components includes memory, hard drives, and CPU components. Scott and his staff are committed to customer satisfaction and ethical business practices:

"1st Tier is a stocking broker in the Sun/Oracle, seeking to fulfill the needs of the IT community as a whole. We bring in products that we feel our clients need on the fly and do it in a professional manner consistently with a smile and can-do attitude. We aren't trying to change the game, just make it simpler and more efficient for all."

Make a connection with Jamie Scott and invite him to join your network of trusted Tradeloop users.

Welcome Luke Raj - Newest Ethics Committee Member

Luke Raj of Markora System in Mayalsia is the newest member of Tradeloop's volunteer Ethics Committee. Markora has specialized in ICT product maintenance, systems integration, and component sales since 1995. Raj's position in international procurement gives him an excellent perspective on the global market and the challenges of working with customs regulations, purchasing agreements, and international shipping requirements.

Raj volunteered for the committee because he sees it as a "vehicle to create a safe haven for all members." He strongly believes that Ethics Committee members should act as role models for the trading community and that their "high ethics and honesty in trading" should set a precedent for all members.

Markora Systems has been a Tradeloop member since April 2006 and we are pleased to welcome Raj to the Ethics Committee.

Any qualified Tradeloop member can volunteer for the Ethics Committee - but we currently have a long waiting list. However, our new Membership Committee is seeking volunteers....

For more information, contact us by email and put "Membership Committee Volunteer" in the subject line.

Concerned About Fraud? Use Tradeloop's "Account Flag" Feature

Have you ever visited a Tradeloop member profile and wondered "how did that guy get in?" Don't just ask yourself; tell us there may be a problem! Use the "Account Flag" link that's included on all company and individual user profiles. Here's how it works:

Look for the "Flag for Review" link in the "System Stats" section of the profile page.

That link takes you to a textbox where you can explain your concerns. We'll flag the account for further review by Customer Service and the new Membership Committee.


Note that this new feature doesn't replace the Ethics process or the Fast Track Fraud Alert system. If you're currently involved in a business dispute with another dealer, then please file a formal Ethics complaint. Our all-volunteer Ethics Committee will review the facts and try to help you reach an amicable resolution.

Use the "Flag for Review" feature to alert us to Tradeloop users that you think need extra scrutiny. Tradeloop members work with other dealers in the industry every day. Share your experience with us and help us keep the community safe from fraud and unethical business practices.

Search the member directory and alert us to any potential problems.

New Trading Floor Design - Tell Us What You'd Like To See

We're redesigning the Trading Floor and want your suggestions. We've asked for member input before as we upgraded the Ethics and Broadcast areas, email functions, and other features of the Tradeloop site. Your responses gave us ideas for better navigation, new reports, and additional parts upload options.

Our Trading Floor redesign project includes:

• A redesigned search function that will provide even more accurate, targeted results.
• Search results filters that let you filter results based on geography, message type, and other options. It will be similar to the filter options on the Broadcast page.
• A more modern page layout with more user interactivity.
• Improved navigation.

What other changes would you like to see? Please share your comments and suggestions here at the blog so that other members can review them and offer their opinions as well.

Click on the "Comment" link below and tell us what you think!

Welcome Younjin Kim, New Ethics Committee Vice-Chair

Younjin Kim, president of EJ Tech Solutions recently joined Tradeloop's all-volunteer Ethics Committee as Vice-Chair. EJ Tech Solutions is a leading Sun/OEM/Dec/HP/CompactPCI/VoIP Integration, resale and solution provider and has been a Tradeloop member since November 2005.

We talked with Kim about his interest in the Ethics Committee. He explained that he has participated in the process as an Ethics Committee Member for several years, but has never been involved in an ethics problem himself. He uses his business experience to help members resolve disputes amicably.

As a long-term Tradeloop member, Kim understands that it's critical to establish trust between buyers and sellers. That's an important part of the Ethics Committee's mission, he explained:

"I would like to see every member of Tradeloop feel more comfortable doing business with other members. It's also important that members trust the Ethics process and have confidence that it acts as a secure shield to protect them from fraud."

The Ethics Committee is just one opportunity for Tradeloop members to get more involved in the trading community. The new Membership Committee is seeking members.

Tradeloop members work with other dealers in the industry every day. They understand the challenges - and importance - of identifying and stopping fraud. As a committee member, you'll have an important voice as we evaluate new member applications, enforce community rules, and set community standards.

We are looking for new Membership Committee volunteers....

To apply, contact us by email and put "Membership Committee Volunteer" in the subject line.