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.

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.

2nd Solutions – Taking the Guesswork Out of Buying Used Electronics

Richmond, Virginia-based 2nd Solutions was founded in 2005 to help buyers and sellers extend the commercial life of electronic devices by capturing their residual value on the secondary market. It now provides comprehensive IT asset recovery for corporations, government agencies, hospitals, and schools across the United States. The company has 30 employees and 60,000 square feet of office and warehouse space.

Brian Loden is 2nd Solutions' Sales Channel Manager for all products related to computers. That includes desktops, laptops, monitors, hard drives, memory, cables, networking, and telecom equipment, components, and scrap. This gives him a unique perspective on the status of the resale market and helps him explain 2nd Solutions' success.

"There is an obvious trend in the primary market representing the convergence of mobile and computing technology. We see this in smart phones and in tablets. This is great news for our industry because users are upgrading more frequently. Increased demand in the primary market equals an increase in supply on the secondary market. The demand for lower-cost slightly older computers and phones is here to stay."

Loden spends much of his workday trying to meet that demand and has found Tradeloop to be a valuable resource. "Sometimes it's a challenge to have enough inventory to meet the demands of my customers. Tradeloop not only helps me source product for existing customers; it has also allowed me meet some of my best long-term clients."

The customer base of mostly resellers keeps coming back to 2nd Solutions for a very simple reason, explained Loden. "We help them make money." The company views its relationship with customers and suppliers as a partnership that's mutually beneficial. "We offer a 30-day warranty and if there are any issues, our customers know we'll make it right."

That commitment to customer satisfaction and quality products is company-wide. Every device is subject to a thorough diagnostic and testing process by trained professionals and a final quality control check before it's sold, Loden noted. "We take the guesswork out of buying used electronics."

2nd Solutions entered the secondary electronics market at an opportune time and has been successful because it helps customers adapt to new challenges, Loden said.

"It was no accident that we opened for business just as the dynamics surrounding end-of-life cycle technology were changing. With companies starting to seriously deal with technology refresh, the looming issue of environmental impact—coupled with a growing demand by organizations for help in offsetting the cost of next generation purchases—presented a clear window of opportunity for 2nd Solutions."

The company has used that opportunity to become a leader in asset recovery for a very simple reason, he continued.

"2nd Solutions combines experience and knowledge of all facets of global sales trends, with a commitment to superior customer service. We can provide you with the devices you're looking for at fair market prices. Our continued goal is not merely meet your expectations, but to continue to exceed them."

Please Congratulate These Longstanding Tradeloop Members

Please join us as as we congratulate these Tradeloop members who have been part of the trading community for 5 years or longer. Many have donated time to our all-volunteer Ethics Committee or provided other services to the community. All are valued members and we thank them for their commitment to Tradeloop.

Here are the members who celebrate their Tradeloop anniversary during the month of February:

February 2000

• A3Net Servers, Inc.
• Canvas Systems

February 2002

• NW Remarketing, Inc.
• Black River Technology
• Coretek
  

February 2004

• Re-Source Partners
  

February 2005

• MET International
• Sell Your Telecom
• MOJO Systems
• CTC Technologies, Inc.
  

February 2006

• PC Micro, Inc.
• Affordable Upgrades, Inc.
• Shinewaves
  

We want to thank these members for their commitment to the Tradeloop trading community. These companies - along with the many other Tradeloop users - work with us to promote ethical business standards, protect the value of the wholesale market, and police the community to prevent online fraud. Search the Tradeloop Dealer Directory to find even more Tradeloop wholesale members and registered users.

Please Congratulate These Longstanding Tradeloop Members

Please join us as as we congratulate these Tradeloop members who have been part of the trading community for 5 years or longer. Many have donated time to our all-volunteer Ethics Committee or provided other services to the community. All are valued members and we thank them for their commitment to Tradeloop.

Here are the members who celebrate their Tradeloop anniversary during the month of January:

January 1998

• Frontier Computer Corporation
• Northland Systems, Inc.
• Twin Cities Digital, Inc.
• InStock, Inc.
  

January 1999

• Atlantix Global Systems
• Big Blue Products, Inc.
  

January 2002

• Computech Networks
  

January 2003

• Netsan Technologies, Inc.
• APS Group, Inc
  

January 2005

• LifeSpan Technogy
• Ameta Computer A/S
  
• Emerald City Tech, Inc.
• Force One Networks, Inc.

We want to thank these members for their commitment to the Tradeloop trading community. These companies - along with the many other Tradeloop users - work with us to promote ethical business standards, protect the value of the wholesale market, and police the community to prevent online fraud. Search the Tradeloop Dealer Directory to find even more Tradeloop wholesale members and registered users.

iPad Contest Extended - Make Ten Connections Before December 31

The response to our iPad contest has been extraordinary, so we've extended the deadline until December 31. Just make ten approved Connections before then and you're automatically entered into our drawing for a free iPad.

Many Tradeloop members are building their own private networks and there are a lot of open Connections requests. We want to enter every Tradeloop user into the drawing, so check your Connections page and respond to your invitations. Make at least ten Connections and you could be the winner on December 31.

It's easy to create your own dealer network:

1. At the Dealer Directory, search for individuals you want to add to your Trusted Network.
   
2. Go to the person's profile page and click on the "Add name to your Network" link.
3. Type a short personal invitation at the "Request Connection" page.
4. The Manage Connections link on your Tradeloop Account Home page displays the status of your network. It tells you who's Connected, who's invited you to join their networks, and lists the invitations you've sent.

This is your last chance! Send out your own Connections invitations and respond to the ones you receive. You could be the lucky Tradeloop member who celebrates the new year with a new iPad.

Learn more about the drawing at our official iPad Contest page.

A Big Tradeloop "Thank You" To Our Members

This week, we're taking time to thank the many Tradeloop members who have contributed to the trading community in important ways. They've helped protect the community from fraud, encouraged new members to join, offered their suggestions to help us upgrade Tradeloop features, and more. For example:

• Volunteer Ethics Committee members donate their time to investigate Ethics complaints and work with the parties involved to try and resolve the cases amicably. When that's not possible, they make the tough decisions to warn or even ban companies from Tradeloop.
• Fast Track Fraud Alerts: Thanks to the Tradeloop members who suspected fraud and quickly brought it to our attention. Because of their diligence, we were able to warn the Tradeloop community about identity theft, fake companies, and other shady activities.
• Refer a Friend members: They recommended Tradeloop to other wholesalers and helped grow the community, giving all members more trading options.

However, the biggest "thank you" of all goes to every Tradeloop member and registered user who took advantage of the new features we rolled out this year. Your comments and suggestions helped us add new services and upgrade existing ones. They range from new privacy options to social networking tools to the launch of the mobile version of the Tradeloop site.

But you deserve more than a simple thank you. We want to enter you into our November 30 drawing for a free iPad. Any Tradeloop user who makes 10 approved Connections before the deadline is automatically entered to win.

Learn more at our official iPad Contest page or go directly to the Dealer Directory and start making Connections.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

iWant To Win An iPad - Don't You?

Time is running out to win a free iPad from Tradeloop. Any Tradeloop member or registered user who makes at least 10 approved Connections is automatically entered in the drawing. One lucky person will get an early present from Tradeloop.

Just entering the contest makes you a winner. You'll have a circle of trusted partners and your own private trading network. Tradeloop's Connections system allows you to:

• Buy & sell with just your trusted network
• Set your own privacy settings for your network
• View Broadcasts from just your trusted network

There are no forms to fill out, no purchase necessary, and nothing to mail. Anyone with ten approved Connections is automatically entered in the drawing. Learn more at our official iPad Contest page or go directly to the Dealer Directory and start making Connections.

Do it today: there's not much time left!

Please Congratulate These Longstanding Tradeloop Members

Please join us as as we congratulate these Tradeloop members who have been part of the trading community for 5 years or longer. Many have donated time to our all-volunteer Ethics Committee or provided other services to the community. All are valued members and we thank them for their commitment to Tradeloop.

November 1999

• Texas Discount Computers
  

November 2000

• Belmont Trading Company
• Sillworks
  

November 2001

• Sea View Technologies
• Tech for Less LLC
  

November 2002

• Norris Systems
• RW Data
• United Systems Tech
  

November 2003

• TechRegen
• Acclinet
• CCNY
  

November 2004

• NTS Computers BV
  

November 2005

• Round 2 Technologies
• RL Networks
• EJ Tech Solutions
  

Do you have colleagues who haven't joined Tradeloop yet? Invite them to try out a 90-day membership through our "Refer a Friend" program. We'll give you a free month at Tradeloop for each person you refer who registers for a trial membership. Get started here.

Picture Yourself on Tradeloop - Upload Your Photo Now

Have you ever wanted to see who's on Tradeloop? Not just their company name or contact information or Broadcasts, but a photo too? Now you can. Scroll through your Trusted Network to view user pictures and upload your own photo to your Tradeloop member profile to personalize your account with a photo of yourself. See the photos to the right? These Tradeloop members have added a personal photo to their individual profiles. It's quick and easy. Just visit your profile page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Photo upload requirements: File type: For best results, we recommend one of the following formats: JPEG, GIF, or PNG. Image size: 85 x 85 pixels File size: 100k You can delete your photo and/or upload a new photo at any time. Modify your privacy settings to set rules for who can - and can't - view your profile picture. This is a quick and easy way to personalize your Tradeloop account. Add your personal photo now.

Parallel Technology: Providing Solutions and Making It Happen

Founded in 1998, Parallel Technology quickly became a leading supplier of new, used, and refurbished Sun equipment. The company is small – less than a dozen employees – and that's intentional. Parallel's business model can best be described as "lean and tight" and focused on the Sun market.

Company president, Ken Bush, stressed that during an interview with Tradeloop.

"We've found our niche and it works. If you need a part the next day and call our competitors at 3:30pm, there's a chance that the deal will get caught up in bureaucracy and a drawn-out approval process. That doesn't happen at Parallel. The person you talk with has the authority to make the deal and get your product shipped."

That's a critical service for Parallel's main customer base: maintenance companies that require 24/7, 365-day access to replacement inventory. The company's location in Torrance, CA, just a few minutes from the Los Angeles airport allows Parallel to easily accommodate emergency shipments. There are also regional stocking locations in Minnesota, Phoenix, and Atlanta.

The company maintains a sizable inventory that includes parts specially requested by customers. Finding inventory isn't a problem, Bush said: "With the economy and recession, there's a lot of equipment out there and I can be selective and buy high quality product." Parallel takes quality seriously: its testing protocol includes a full load and overnight test on systems. Customers can request additional testing as well as changes to the standard 90-day warranty. The company's customer-driven focus allows Parallel to tailor a contract to meet individual customer requirements.

Parallel Technology's flexibility and responsiveness keeps customers loyal, Bush explained. "80% of customers have been with us from day one." But of course, new customers are always welcome and Parallel finds many of them at Tradeloop.

"Our customer base is Tradeloop's membership. That's the biggest plus for us because there's a lot of common ground. 98% of our market is wholesale dealer-to-dealer trading worldwide. That's who we connect with at Tradeloop."

Parallel's focus on Sun is an advantage in the industry, he added. "We're the Sun experts and that puts us a step ahead. Even our competitors' tech support staff call us when they get stuck."

Responsiveness and product knowledge is important in the wholesale industry and that's the basis of Parallel's business model.

"We stand behind our products, we test our products, and we have what we say we have. Our sales people are the decision makers in the company and customers don't have to wait for us to ask permission to set up a deal. We don't compete with each other: we're a team. We work fast and we get things done."

Does your company have a story to tell? Contact us at Tradeloop to volunteer to be featured in one of our company profile posts.

Please Congratulate These Five-Year Members

Please join us as as we congratulate these Tradeloop members who have been part of the trading community for 5 years or longer. Many have donated time to our all-volunteer Ethics Committee or provided other services to the community. All are valued members and we thank them for their commitment to Tradeloop.

October 1997

• Pyramid Technology Services
  

October 1999

• Computer Connection Corporation
  

October 2000

• Centurian
• West Coast Computer Exchange
• SMS Memory, Inc.
  
• Parallel Technology, LLC
  

October 2001

• California Systems
• Berkeley Communications
  

October 2002

• Zar Technology, S. r. I.
  
• Global IT Networks, Ltd.
  
• Cascade Asset Management
• MK Trading, LLC
  

October 2005

• Storage Media Brokers
• Tria Systems
• TEKNO TransTrade
• Tier1PC
• Innobiz Korea, Inc.
  

Do you have colleagues who haven't joined Tradeloop yet? Invite them to try out a 90-day membership through our "Refer a Friend" program. We'll give you a free month at Tradeloop for each person you refer who registers for a trial membership. Get started here.

Take Tradeloop's New Mobile Site For A Test Drive!

Easily access Tradeloop from your mobile phone or other handheld device with the new Mobile version of the site. This "lite" version gives you search capability and easy access to the three most popular areas of Tradeloop:

• Broadcasts

• Trading Floor


• Tradeloop Dealer Directory

Visit the Mobile site here or click on any of the links above to view a particular area.

Here's a screen shot of the mobile version of the Broadcast page. Note the minimalist, clean layout that saves bandwidth and downloads quickly. Each page contains a search box at the top to give you quick access to the information you need.

If you need access to the full Tradeloop site to update your company description, create Broadcast filters, or to access other features, no problem. Just click on the "Full Site" link at the bottom of each mobile version page.

Take the new mobile version for a test drive and tell us what you think! Share your opinions and offer feedback here at the Tradeloop member blog.

A Free iPad Is Going To A Tradeloop User. Could It Be You?

There's still time to win a free iPad from Tradeloop! Just make 10 approved Connections and get started creating your own Trusted Network of dealers within the Tradeloop community. That's all you have to do - no forms to fill out, no emails required, and no purchase necessary. When we draw for the iPad, anyone with 10 approved Connections is automatically entered to win.

Here's how:

1. From the Dealer Directory, search for individuals or companies you'd like to add to your Trusted Network.
   
2. Go to the person's profile page and click on the "Add name to your Network" link.
3. That link takes you to the "Request Connection" page where you can type a short personal invitation.
   
   
4. The Manage Connections link on your Tradeloop Account Home page displays the status of your network: who's Connected, who's invited you to join their networks, and invitations you've sent.
   

Learn more at our official iPad Contest page or go directly to the Dealer Directory and start making Connections.

Please Congratulate These Five-Year Members

Please join us as as we congratulate these Tradeloop members who have been part of the trading community for 5 years or longer. Many have donated time to our all-volunteer Ethics Committee or provided other services to the community. All are valued members and we thank them for their commitment to Tradeloop.

September 1998

• World Data Products
• Equip Systems Ltd.
  

September 1999

• Hamilton Rentals
• Netstream International, Inc.
  
• Synetic Technologies, Inc.
  
• Reclaim-UK
  

September 2000

• IB Remarketing S.A.
  
• Redemtech Red Rabbitt.com
  
• MemoryTen
• Evertek Computer Corp.
  

September 2001

• Keystone Memory Group
  

September 2002

• European Hardware Solutions
  

September 2003

• StarrWest Solutions
  

September 2004

• DJ's PC's
• H&N Computer
• TI Distribution, Inc.
  

September 2005

• Orion Printers & Parts
  
• Excellent Tech Co.
• PC & Laptop GMBH
  
• Alltech Resources

Do you have colleagues who haven't joined Tradeloop yet? Invite them to try out a 90-day membership through our "Refer a Friend" program. We'll give you a free month at Tradeloop for each person you refer who registers for a trial membership. Get started here.

Modify Your Company Description to Add Rich Text & Formatting

A complete company description on Tradeloop increases your credibility with other dealers and your visibility to search engines. With the new Rich Text Formatting (RTF) option, you can now make your company decription more visually appealing as well.

The RTF options let you format your description using:

• Bold text
• Italics
• Underlining
• Ordered and unordered lists
• Text colors
• And more....

Here's how the new Company Description text box appears when you edit/update your Member Profile:

The RTF options let you format your description using:

• Bold text
• Italics
• Underlining
• Ordered and unordered lists
• Text colors
• And more....

Consider the display differences between these two profiles:

JJ Smith & Associates is a leading global supplier of refurbished equipment, off-lease IT hardware, and technical services. We're headquartered in Nashville, TN and specialize in products from leading OEMs including Sun, Cisco, HP, Nortel, Lucent, and EMC. We maintain an in-stock inventory averaging more than $20 million and offer same-day shipping on most orders. Contact us today for pricing and information or visit our Web site at JJSmithAndAssociatesEquipmentSales.com

This version is much easier to read with formatting added:

JJ Smith & Associates is a leading global supplier of refurbished equipment, off-lease IT hardware, and technical services. We're headquartered in Nashville, TN and specialize in products from leading OEMs including:

• Sun
• Cisco
• HP
• Nortel
• Lucent
• EMC.
  

We maintain an in-stock inventory averaging more than $20 million and offer free, same-day shipping on most orders. Contact us today for pricing and information or visit our Web site at JJSmithAndAssociatesEquipmentSales.com

Read more tips on how to create a good company description and then consider updating your company description information to make it more useful to other dealers and search engines. Edit your account information at your Edit Profiles page.

Have you tried the new formatting options? What do you think? Share your opinion here at the member blog.

Search Box Added to Member Dashboard

Last week, we asked Tradeloop members to comment on the new Member Dashboard and offer their comments and suggestions. You did and we've responded by adding a search box to the page.

One of our Pro members suggested the change, noting: "I want to be able to search for product. The search bar needs to be front and center." Here's the new layout:

All other functions on the page remain the same: you can complete your member profile, watch a training video, make Connections, and more. Are there other additions or modifications that you think would make the dashboard more useful? Please share your suggestions with us.

Learn More About Your Account Status With the Member Dashboard

Tradeloop's "Member Dashboard" is a new tool that helps you get maximum value from your membership. Each time you log into your Tradeloop account, you'll see your personalized Member Dashboard automatically. It displays your account status at a glance:

• Is your account profile missing some information?
• Are you using Tradeloop features like saved search, the Connections system, Broadcast filters, and other tools that help you monitor the market?
• Have you uploaded inventory to Tradeloop's Trading Floor?

Here's a screen shot:


There's even a short training video to help new members learn about Tradeloop. Long-time members might enjoy it too. The video describes many of our tools and options that help you manage your account, watch the market, and connect with other buyers and sellers. It's a quick reminder about features that are automatically included with your Tradeloop membership.

Are there any additional features you'd like to see on this page? Please send your comments (good or bad!) to Customer Service or share them here at the member blog.