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
ASCII Resident Expert Article: How to Vet Potential Cloud Provider Partners, Channel Insider, August 8, 2012, by Chris Stark
Cloud computing has gained serious momentum in recent months, and chances are you are in the process of vetting some cloud provider partners. Here’s a look at the questions you should be asking and the answers you should be getting.
Read More…http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/How-to-Vet-Potential-Cloud-Provider-Partners-405727/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Your Clients Are Ready for Cloud. Are You?, Channel Insider, August 4, 2011, by The ASCII Group
As the hype around cloud computing has settled down, there’s no questioning that the cloud is a reality that will be a part of many businesses. What’s your strategy for being the trusted adviser clients come to for help with their cloud implementations?
Read More….http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Your-Clients-Are-Ready-for-Cloud-Are-You-454576/
Intronis' 4th Win For Best Revenue Generator At ASCII Reseller Success Summit Orlando
Business Solutions Magazine, July 28, 2011
The ASCII Community awards Intronis with its fifth overall award as an online backup leader in the IT Channel.
Read More….
http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/Intronis-4th-Win-For-Best-Revenue-Generator-0001
ASCII Resident Expert Article: How to Use Phone Surveys to Improve Customer Satisfaction, Channel Insider, July 14, 2011, by John Hlavac
Are you interested in taking your proactive customer contact to the next level while at the same time gathering important strategic and tactical customer information. A simple telephone survey may be your answer. Here’s a look at a few best practices to make telephone surveys work for your business.
Read More….http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/How-to-Use-Phone-Surveys-to-Improve-Customer-Satisfaction-647848/
Datto SIRIS Solution Wins ‘Best New Product' At ASCII Chicago Success Summit
Business Solutions Magazine, July 7, 2011
The ASCII Group, Inc., the worlds largest IT Solution Provider community announced last Thursday that Datto Inc. won the ASCII Chicago Success Summit 2011 ‘Best New Product’ award for their true business continuity solution, SIRIS.
Read More…
http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/Datto-SIRIS-Solution-Wins-Best-New-Product-0001
ASCII Chicago Success Summit Attendees Name Datto's SIRIS Solution Best New Product, Channelpro, June 30, 2011
The business continuity solution, designed for MSPs and VARs, was chosen at the conclusion of the event.
Read More….
https://www.channelpronetwork.com/2011/04/13/comptia-revamps-it-hall-of-fame-inducts-class-of-2011/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: How to Manage Your Team for Sales Success, Channel Insider, June 20, 2011, by Ken Thoreson
Focus attention on the results you want rather than the things that need to be done. That’s one of the tenants a successful sales manager should follow. Here are the rest.
Read More…. http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/How-To-Manage-Your-Team-for-Sales-Success-805899/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Are You Protected? Insuring Your Business Against Loss, Channel Insider, June 13, 2011, by Michael Kihm
IT solution providers and managed service providers face a variety of complex risks in the course of their every day business. Here’s the right way to ensure your business is protected against them.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Are-You-Protected-Insuring-Your-Business-Against-Loss-325764/
The ASCII Group Provides VARs with Resources Critical To Success, Channelpro, June 8, 2010, by ChannelPro TV
Jerry Koutavas of The ASCII Group talks about the importance of VARs adapting and moving forward to make the best of the economy and opportunities with new solutions. Security and cloud solutions play central role and membership in ASCII ensures that VARs do not have to go it alone.
Read More….
http://www.channelprosmb.com/article/18787/VIDEO-The-ASCII-Group-Provides-VARs-With-Resources-Critical-to-Success/
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