History of ISDA

The concept of the ISDA Dealer Network was first conceived in October of 1977. A committee, together with Counsel recommended a stock cooperative buying corporation as the best organizational structure to handle the vendor activities of the dealer network made up of former Remington Rand (then Rand Kardex and finally Sperry Rand) managers. On April 11, 1978, an organization known as Office Systems Equipment Cooperative or OSEC was officially incorporated in the District of Columbia with five members of the re-organizational committee becoming the incorporators. Stock in OSEC was purchased by 86 Dealers at a cost of $1,050.00 each. Shareholders capital contribution amounted to $90,300.00.

During the year 1981, the ISDA trade association acquired the Office Systems Equipment Cooperative, and the name of the cooperative changed to ISDA. The purpose of the ISDA Network is to function on behalf of its Members by securing arrangements with vendors that will be beneficial to the Dealers and to provide support activities to the Dealer network by which the dealer can improve their business operation(s). Today there are nearly 40 Member Dealers of the ISDA, the vast majority of our Member Owners being stockholders with voting rights.

In the beginning, Kardex Systems was the lead Business Partner of the ISDA, and the sole Business Partner specifically mentioned in our by-laws. Today, The Association has partnered with over 40 industry-leading manufacturers to bring exceptional quality products, service, and solutions to our clients.

The ISDA continues to host our Annual Meeting – an exclusive event we have held each year since 1973 which gives our Business Partners and Members face-to-face access – drive sales in our Member’s local markets, and provide excellent sales training in addition to developing strong marketing and social media campaigns and tools.

We celebrated our 51st Annual ISDA Meeting in May 2024 at the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort in Delray Beach, FL – click here to read more about it on our blog. Stay tuned for the official 2025 Annual Meeting location announcement.

Moving forward, we are preparing for the future – continuing to add strong Business Partners and welcome new Dealers to our Association!