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: Leveraging Customer Assessments for Better Sales, Channel Insider, June 3, 2011, by Mike Semel
Customer assessment projects not only provide revenue themselves, but they often lead to managed services recurring revenue and projects. Here’s how to leverage these business-building tools.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Leveraging-Customer-Assessments-for-Better-Sales-208319/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Breaking into EHR if You Don't Know How to Start, Channel Insider, May 5, 2011, by Jessica Schroder
Healthcare presents a tremendous opportunity for IT solution providers, but how do you get started if you aren’t already working in that market?
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Breaking-into-EHR-If-You-Dont-Know-How-to-Start-556210/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Meeting Sales Quotas Before Time Runs Out, Channel Insider, May 20, 2011, by Ken Thoreson
Most sales teams have until the end of June to reach their quarterly sales objectives. What is your team doing to exceed your goals?
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Meeting-Sales-Quotas-Before-Time-Runs-Out-669317/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: The Right Way to Get Found By Customers Who Search, Channel Insider, May 12, 2011, by Alan D. Weinberger
How can you stand out from the crowd that shows up every time a customer does a Google search for a solution provider? Maybe it’s time to look at what a vertical search engine can do for your company. Read More….
As CompTIA A+ Certification Program Honored, Jean Alexander Takes A Bow, Business Solution Magazine, May 12, 2011, by Gennifer Biggs
If you’ve ever been to a CompTIA event or an ASCII Group gathering, the chances are good that you’ve met the maven of networking, Jean Alexander. Alexander had a chance to take a bow when the team behind the popular CompTIA A+ certification program received industry recognition in April as members of the original A+ team were inducted into the IT Channel Wing of the IT Hall of Fame.
Read More….
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Connecting The Dots for Your Business Success, Channel Insider, May 5, 2011, by The ASCII Group and Jessica Davis
Looking for networking opportunities, peer input, help with a certain vertical or technology specialty? Look no further than your own backyard.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Connecting-The-Dots-for-Your-Business-Success-529049/
City by City, ASCII Success Summit Scores Big, Channelpro by Michael Siggins
The folks at ASCII continue to roll across the United States offering training and networking opportunities for SMB-focused channel pros…
read more: http://www.channelprosmb.com/article/24205/City-by-City-ASCII-Success-Summits-Score-Big/
ASCII Success Summits, D.C.: ASCII Members Chose Vendor Favorites
The ASCII members voted on their favorite vendors from the D.C. Success Summit and the winners are…..
Business Solutions Magazine, April 29, 2011, by Gennifer Biggs read more: http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/ASCII-Success-Summits-DC-Vendor-winners-0001
ASCII Success Summits, D.C.: Do You Really Know ASCII?, Business Solutions Magazine, April 29, 2010, by Gennifer Biggs
Nearly 150 ASCII members and guest visitors learned more about what the ASCII Group’s offering entail when executive director Jerry Koutavas kicked off the D.C. Success Summit on Thursday, April 28. Koutavas began by reminding all attendees about the goal of the six success summits ASCII hosts across the country over the span of a year:
“We want to pull you away from your business for a day, sit you down, and make you think about what you could be doing better to improve the performance of your business.”
Read More….
http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/ASCII-Success-Summits-Do-You-Know-ASCII-0001
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