Recent News & Press Coverage
Stay informed with official news and updates from The ASCII Group. This section features company announcements, strategic initiatives, and industry coverage that reflect our continued commitment to the MSP community and the broader IT channel. Press inquiries: Contact alysia@ascii.com

2025 ASCII Cup Celebrates Innovation and Excellence in the Channel
RYTHMz Named Vendor of the Year by the MSP Community Washington, D.C.
- October 31, 2025 -
Washington, D.C. – October 31, 2025 – The ASCII Group, the original and premier community of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) across North America, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 ASCII Cup. This annual award honors technology companies that have made a lasting impact in the MSP channel through innovation, commitment, and engagement.
The 2025 ASCII Cup was presented in Philadelphia, PA, on October 30, following the final stop of the year for the ASCII Edge conference series. Inspired by Philadelphia’s iconic Rocky legacy, the evening highlighted the strength and perseverance that define the IT channel.
Throughout 2025, ASCII members voted at eight regional ASCII Edge events across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating technology vendors across 12 categories such as innovation, partner program excellence, and overall value. This peer-driven process ensures the companies recognized are those making the greatest impact on MSPs.
The 2025ASCII Cup award recipients are:
- 2025 ASCII Cup Vendor of the Year – RYTHMz
- First Runner-Up – Pax8
- Third Place – SonicWall
- Fourth Place – BLOKWORX
- Fifth Place – Microsoft
- Sixth Place – Kaseya
- Seventh Place – Monjur
- Eighth Place – DefensX
- Ninth Place – FutureSafe
- Tenth Place – SuperOps
“The ASCII Cup reflects the voice of MSPs,” said Jerry Koutavas, CEO of The ASCII Group. “Recognizing RYTHMz as Vendor of the Year, along with the other companies honored, underscores the vital role our industry partners play in helping MSPs succeed.”
“It is with sincere gratitude that we accept this recognition from The ASCII Group and its members. As a former member myself, I understand the profound impact this community has on an MSP’s journey,” said Steve Copeland, CEO and Founder, RYTHMz. “Our industry is at a pivotal moment—evolving from ‘Managed Services’ to ‘Managed Solutions.’ Through this shift, one truth remains: connectivity is your brand. RYTHMz is proud to help lead this evolution alongside our partners in the ASCII community, and we’re truly honored by this recognition.”
The celebration also honored the late Alan D. Weinberger, founder of The ASCII Group, whose vision for a vendor-neutral community of IT professionals continues to guide the organization today. For more than 40 years, ASCII has connected IT business owners with resources, programs, and a trusted peer network to help them grow stronger companies. The 2025 ASCII Cup reflects this spirit of collaboration and the vital role technology partners play in MSP success.
For photos and highlights from the 2025 ASCII Cup, please visit The ASCII Group’s Facebook page.
About The ASCII Group, Inc.
The ASCII Group is the premier community of North American MSPs, MSSPs and Solution Providers. The Group has members located throughout the U.S. and Canada, and membership encompasses everyone from credentialed MSPs serving the SMB community to multi-location solution providers with a national and international reach. Founded in 1984, ASCII provides services to members including leveraged purchasing programs, education and training, marketing assistance, extensive peer interaction and more. ASCII works with a vibrant ecosystem of leading and major technology vendors that complement the ASCII community and support the mission of helping MSPs to grow their businesses. For more information, please visit www.ascii.com.
Press Contact
Alysia Vetter
Chief Marketing Officer
Tel: 800-394-2724
Email: alysia@ascii.com
Web: www.ascii.com
Intronis, Autotask, Reflexion , HP, Level Platforms Honored by ASCII Group
Channel Insider, November 3, 2011, by Ericka Chickowski
Earlier this month, channel partners got together to party ASCII Group-style at the annual awards bacchanalia that has its winners drink a boozy tribute to their success from a giant silver-gilt trophy cup. Held at the RIO in Las Vegas, this year’s ASCII Cup award went to storage vendor Intronis for its work with the channel. Also honored were Autotask, Reflexion Networks, Hewlett Packard and Level Platforms. Channel Insider brings you the incriminating photos of the celebratory sips.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Spotlight/Intronis-Autotask-Reflexion-HP-Level-Platforms-Honored-by-ASCII-Group-674293/
Intronis Edges Out Autotask, Reflexion, HP, And Level Platforms To Win Coveted ASCII Cup
Business Solutions Magazine, November 1, 2011
The ASCII Cup – the legend continues…
No one really knows how it began. Some say the ASCII Cup was discovered after packing up the last box at the final Comdex show. Still others believe the ASCII Cup was originally discovered in the secret tunnels under a certain campus in Redmond while others believe it has been handed down by the Knights Templar.
Read More….
http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/Intronis-Edges-Out-Autotask-Reflexion-0001
Intronis Wins the ASCII Cup
Channelpro, October 5, 2011, by Karl Palachuk
The ASCII Cup recognizes companies that have shown channel goodwill and a pathway to ongoing opportunity.
Read More….
http://www.channelprosmb.com/blog/entry/26099/Intronis-Wins-the-ASCII-Cup/?highlight=ascii
Congrats to Intronis - ASCII Cup 2011 Winner!, Channelpro, October 3, 2011, by Michael Siggins
The ChannelPro team caught up with ASCII and Intronis at SMB Nation to revel in the glory of their cup win.
Read More….http://www.channelprosmb.com/blog/entry/26056/Congrats-to-Intronis-ASCII-Cup-2011-Winner/?highlight=ascii
Congrats to Intronis - ASCII Cup 2011 Winner!, Channelpro, October 3, 2011, by Michael Siggins
The ChannelPro team caught up with ASCII and Intronis at SMB Nation to revel in the glory of their cup win.
Read More….http://www.channelprosmb.com/blog/entry/26056/Congrats-to-Intronis-ASCII-Cup-2011-Winner/?highlight=ascii
Podcast: ASCII Kicks Butt in Vegas, Small Biz Thoughts
October 1, 2011, by Karl Palachuk
Jerry tells us about the great marketing efforts made available by ASCII to their members, including pre-made email campaigns and contact tools. He also gave me some information about vendor relationship services I wasn’t aware of . . . and I’ve been a member for years!
Read More….
http://blog.smallbizthoughts.com/2011/10/podcast-ascii-kicks-butt-in-vegas.html
Intronis' 5th Win For Best Revenue Generator At ASCII Reseller Success Summit Boston
Business Solutions Magazine, September 29, 2010
Intronis Awarded 6th Time Overall by ASCII Community
Boston, MA (PRWEB) – Intronis, an industry leading online backup and recovery solution was awarded its fifth consecutive Best Revenue Generator Award at the ASCII Reseller Success Summit in Boston, Massachusetts this September. This is the 6th overall award given to Intronis by the ASCII community.
Read More….
http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/Intronis-5th-Win-For-Best-Revenue-Generator-0001
ASCII Success Summit: Execs Offer Tips on the Cloud, Marketing, and Sales
Channelpro, September 23, 2011, by Elaine J. Hom
ASCII executives advise on delivering from the cloud and boosting sales and marketing teams.
VARs and MSPs: You May Think We're Geeky, but We're Not Anti-Social
Channelpro, August 10, 2011, by Geoffrey Oldmixon
Why channel pros are increasingly using trade organization events to network with peers – and how you can be more social too.
Read More….
http://www.channelprosmb.com/article/25426/VARs-and-MSPs-ldquo-You-May-Think-We-re-Geeky-but-We-re-Not-Anti-Social-rdquo/?highlight=ascii+group
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