Major Steps with HP on the Way to the Top

Another important turning point in the history of the group takes place in this year: HP chooses Index as its Hardware Products Distributor. After this day everything ascends to a higher league. Developments planned and believed in start taking place quickly and one after another.

The same year construction of the building in Gürsel Neighborhood is completed and the company moves to the new building.

This year, founders of the Netherlands-based Despec (Dealer Specialist) company decides to invest in Turkey. Power and experience of Index in consumer products catch their attention and in a short time the two companies establish a solid partnership based on mutual trust. Thus, Despec Turkey is established with 50% partnership. Index transfers its consumer products activities to Despec.

Distributorship contract is signed with Lotus & IBM Software products to enter into software distribution business. New contract with IBM makes Index distributor of AS/400 product group that has the most important value added products of Turkey.

Elazığ branch is opened to focus more on Anatolia and advance further nationwide.

And 1998 ends with a nice contract: Index becomes distributor of Kingston products.

Index continues with its ascension on “Top 100 IT Companies List” and occupies the 6th rank. The company continues to proceed to the top!

Initial Steps in the Network World

The first logistics center of the group, “Index Lojistik Center” is established. Thus, Index activates its own logistics center and becomes the biggest distributor in Turkish IT sector.

As 50% partners with Greece-based Despec Hellas, Desbil AŞ is established and foreign direct investment in Turkey is facilitated for the second time. Although millions of USD capital is attracted to Turkey both with Despec and with Desbil, two different foreign company mergers are realized to undersign a first and major success that is still unequalled to this day. Establishment of Desbil is a nice step not just in terms of its commercial value but also for development of Turkish-Greek relationships.

The biggest network contract in the world is signed with Cisco. This is how the company starts its journey to become the biggest player in the network industry.

Distributorship contracts are signed for very important products such as Xerox, Microsoft, IBM Pos, and Escort this year. Thus, the company now has very strong contracts such as IBM, HP, Cisco, Kingston, and Microsoft. Index is now at a very strong location regarding value added businesses, logistics, networking, and customer products.

In 1999 Index makes itself a place between the top two distributor companies that have been keeping their places for years and occupies the second rank. And now the target of becoming “#1” that all Index is now saying out loud is closer than ever!

Foreign Partnership

Following the major steps taken in 1996-2000 period the company needs a stronger capital to achieve even higher successes. This starts the search for a strategic partner to ensure foreign capital entry into the company. In this scope Pouliadis and Associate Societe Anonyme Industrial and Commercial of High Technology Systems SA purchases 50% shares of Index AŞ to establish Index & Pouliadis partnership.

This year the company also becomes distributor of Epson products.

Acquisitions and Sectoral Leadership

Distributorship contract is signed with Compaq in the beginning of the year. Index achieves a first in Turkey with this contract and becomes the only distributor company in Turkey to incorporate IBM, HP, and Compaq PC products.

Signs a contract with Novel to become the only distributor of this company.

Also becomes distributor of Sony and Microsoft OEM products in turn.

The company continues with its investments despite the economic crisis in 2001 and acquires 50% share of Datagate that is the leading company of Computer Spare Parts/OEM sector on March 1st, 2001. The same day, 94% of Netex that is a very experienced distribution company is acquired to lay the foundation of the company to be the leader in network industry.

This year Index Group draws attention to itself with 3 companies in top 50 and 4 in top 100 of Top 500 ICT Companies Listing.

At the end of 2001, Index becomes number 1 among distributors thus begins its sectoral leadership that continues to this day for 25 years by far!

Chairmanship of TÜBİSAD

Erol Bilecik is elected as Chairman of the Board of Managers of one of the oldest non-governmental organizations in Turkish computer sector, TÜBİSAD (Informatics Industry Association).

When the building and logistics center in Gürsel Neighborhood that the company was excited to move into in 1998 becomes insufficient for business that grew further, the company decides to move once again. Index grows fast and moves to new facilities as it grows. Thus it moves to its 3-floor facility on 10,000 square meter area at Cendere Yolu No:23 Kağıthane address.

Moving proves fruitful and two major Japan technology brands are included in product portfolio: the company starts distributing Oki printers and Toshiba notebooks and server products.