SMBiT Professionals opens Auckland chapter

The SMBiT Professionals industry organisation will launch its first New Zealand chapter in Auckland on July 16.

It will be led by Ian Bennett, chief executive of digital workplace provider Custom365, and aimed at Kiwi managed service providers (MSPs).

Wayne Small of SMBiT Australia told Techpartner.news what the aim of expanding to New Zealand is.

"SMBiT Professionals have for 15 years been gathering small to medium sized business (SMB) focused MSPs and technology service providers together to help raise the tide of tech use in the SMB space," Small said.

"We’ve got just under 160 member businesses here in Australia and growing strongly as we seek to help enable our fellow Kiwi MSPs with expanding the community in New Zealand," he added.

There's been plenty of interest in getting SMBiT over to New Zealand, Small said.

"We’ve had strong interest in doing this for some time now, and are kicking off the drive with Auckland meetings first, and others on the horizon," Small said.

As for Ian Bennett leading the charge in New Zealand, Small said Custom365 specialises in helping SMBs to get the most ouf their Microsoft environments.

"Ian is highly respected both in NZ and across the ditch in Australia and brings a wealth of community driven experience to bear," Small said.

As the chief executive of SMBiT, Small will be in Auckland for the launch of the Kiwi chapter.

This will be held at the Sudima Hotel on 205 Queen Street in Auckland.

Coro presales lead for Asia-Pacific/Japan Benjamin Morrell and its vice-president for the region, Demetrious Georgiou, will be present.

Bluechip Infotech New Zealand's Andre Chakranaryan will also be in attendance.

Small will present a session myself on SPF/DKIM and DMARC for email security, which he said are things many of customers have challenges with. 

"Our member led association is driven heavily by member presentations and supported very well by our sponsors as well," Small said.