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
The ASCII Group Announces Best of Show Award Winners from Chicago 2017 IT SMB Success Summit
The ASCII Group, a membership-based community of independent MSPs, VARs and solution providers, is pleased to announce the ‘Best of Show’ award winners from its 2017 IT SMB Success Summit in Chicago. The awards are voted on by the attending solution providers, and honor the industry sponsors in multiple Best of Show categories.
Pre-Day Winners
Best Education- Xcellerate
Best Technical Demo- ChannelOnline
Best IT Workshop- ChannelOnline
Main Day Winners
Best Rapid Pitch- iRemoteReset
Best Keynote Presentation- Cytracom
Best Partner Incentives- Pax8
Best Market Opportunity- Mailprotector
Best Productivity Solution- IT Glue
Best Revenue Generator- Datto
Best Channel Programs- Datto
Top Distributor- Pax8
Best Partner Involvement- Cytracom/Datto/Pax8
Best of Show – Cytracom
The ASCII Group Announces Best of Show Award Winners from New Jersey 2017 IT SMB Success Summit
The ASCII Group, a membership-based community of independent MSPs, VARs and solution providers, is pleased to announce the ‘Best of Show’ award winners from its 2017 IT SMB Success Summit in New Jersey. The awards are voted on by the attending solution providers, and honor the industry sponsors in multiple Best of Show categories.
Pre-Day Winners
Best Education – Carvir
Best Technical Demo – Trend Micro
Best IT Workshop – Vertical Axion
Main Day Winners
Best Rapid Pitch – Carvir
Best Keynote Presentation – Cytracom
Best Partner Incentives – Pax8
Best Market Opportunity – Mailprotector
Best Productivity Solution – IT Glue
Best Revenue Generator – GreenLink Networks
Best Channel Programs – Datto
Top Distributor – Pax8
Best Partner Involvement – Autotask, Datto, Pax8 &QuoteWerks
Best of Show – Datto
2017 ASCII IT SMB SUCCESS SUMMIT SPONSORSHIPS ARE SOLD OUT
The ASCII Group is pleased to announce that it has sold out of sponsorships for its 2017 IT Success Summit conferences at ALL levels for the remainder of the events this year. ASCII has already successfully completed four US events and one in Toronto, Canada, and four more events are scheduled in 2017.
The events bring together over 150 IT solution providers and dozens of vendors in a two-day format that includes extensive networking, education, and training. The sold-out sponsorships are a first for the 33-year-old company and points to the continued growth and interest in channel partners’ achievements from the vendor community.
ASCII is in the process of finalizing cities and dates for 2018 and will make a formal announcement in the coming weeks.
If you have questions or would like to receive 2018 sponsorships materials, please reach out to shannon@ascii.com.
For more information on the remaining shows in 2017, visit www.asciievents.com.
ASCII Group Members in the News (Industry Articles) June, July & August 2017
TechDecisions
Great tips and advice from ASCII members on BYOD
Technology Installers Explain Considerations of BYOD
Is Your Organization Properly Prepared for Disaster Recovery? By StanleyLouissaint, Principal at Fluid Designs and member of The ASCII Group since2014.
TechTarget | SearchITChannel
How to create a cybersecurity program for your own MSP by Jason McNew, CEO & Founder Stronghold Cyber Security and member of The ASCII Group since 2017.
Howto launch VoIP services for business customers
by MikeBloomfield, President at Tekie Geek and member of The ASCII Group since 2016.
MSP Pricing: How to build an effective plan by David Streit, Principal at Stephill Associates and member of The ASCII Group since 2012.
ChannelPro
Q&A Corner with Alan Weinberger, CEO, The ASCII Group – questions with Jason McNew, CEO & Founder Stronghold Cyber Security and member of The ASCII Group since 2017.
Check out the May 2017 My TechDecisions Podcast & Article with The ASCII Group
My TechDecisions Podcast – Episode 7 featuring Jerry Koutavas, President, The ASCII Group. Listen here: bit.ly/2rMmmZ4
——–
What is The ASCII Group?
Organizations exist for IT providers, commercial integrators, and security installers.
Not all organizations are alike, however. Learn a bit more about The ASCII Group.
Read the article here http://bit.ly/2smuwGV
The ASCII Group Announces Best of Show Award Winners from Columbus 2017 IT SMB Success Summit
The ASCII Group, a membership-based community of independent MSPs, VARs and solution providers, is pleased to announce the ‘Best of Show’ award winners from its 2017 IT SMB Success Summit in Columbus, Ohio. The awards are voted on by the attending solution providers, and honor the industry sponsors in multiple Best of Show categories.
Pre-day Awards
Best Education – Carvir
Best Technical Demo – RapidFire Tools
Best IT Workshop – Carvir
Main Day Awards
Best Rapid Pitch – Solutions Granted
Best Keynote Presentation – Cytracom
Best Partner Incentives – Pax8
Best Market Opportunity – Data Deposit Box
Best Productivity Solution – IT Glue
Best Revenue Generator – Greenlink Networks
Best Channel Programs – Datto
Top Distributor – Pax8
Best Partner Involvement – Pax8/ Datto/ QuoteWerks
Best of Show – Cytracom
Columbus IT SMB Success Summit Coverage from Business Solutions Magazine:
Why Cyber Criminals Have Their Sights Set on MSPs and What You Can Do About It: http://bit.ly/2rPg366
Closing MSP Deals Through Emotional Based Selling: http://bit.ly/2qRoW1F
Internal Cybersecurity Services – The Great New Opportunities for MSPs: http://bit.ly/2qRr4Xe
Channel Partners – Image Gallery: ASCII IT SMB Success Summit
ChannelPartners attended the ASCII IT SMB Success Summit in Boston. Click through their image gallery for highlights and a recap.
http://bit.ly/2p8E9rw
The ASCII Group Announces Best of Show Award Winners from Boston 2017 IT SMB Success Summit
The ASCII Group, a membership-based community of independent MSPs, VARs and solution providers, is pleased to announce the ‘Best of Show’ award winners from its 2017 IT SMB Success Summit in Boston, Massachusetts. The awards are voted on by the attending solution providers, and honor the industry sponsors in multiple Best of Show categories.
Pre-Day Awards
Best Education- Vertical Axion
Best Technical Demo- CNET
Best IT Workshop- Webroot
Main Day Awards
Best Rapid Pitch- Duo Security
Best Keynote Presentation- Datto
Best Partner Incentive- Pax8
Best Market Opportunity- Data Deposit Box
Best Productivity Solution- IT Glue
Best Revenue Generator- Datto
Best Channel Programs- Cytracom
Top Distributor- Pax8
Best Partner Involvement- Datto/ Pax8/ SherWeb
Best of Show – Datto
ASCII Group Members in the News (Industry Articles) April & May 2017
Business Solutions Magazine
How to Sell Managed Services to Small Businesses
by Matt Forman, Owner, The Local Circuit and member of The ASCII Group since 2014.
Managed Services Trends for 2017
by Andrew Harrover, CEO, Matrix Computing and member of The ASCII Group since 2012.
How to Add Security to Your Offering by Scott Spatz, VP of Sales Administration, Cooperative Systems and member of The ASCII Group Since 2012.
How Your Role as MSP Changes When Clients Transition to the Cloud by Madinah S. Ali, President & CEO, Safe PC Solutions and member of The ASCII Group since 2015.
TechTarget | Search ITChannel
How to Protect Your Clients from Ransomware Infections
by Scott Beck, President, BeckTek and member of The ASCII Group since 2016.
Four Tips for Selling to the Manufacturing Vertical by Mike Bloomfield, President, Tekie Geek and member of The ASCII Group since 2016.
TechDecisions
How Top Influences Use Technology to Manage Email Inboxes by David Molnar, CEO, Dave’s Computers and member of The ASCII Group since 2014.
How to Choose the Right MSP Provider for Your Business by Mike Bloomfield, President, Tekie Geek and member of The ASCII Group since 2016.
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