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: Why You Lose Your Customers, Channel Insider, March 3, 2001, by John Hlavac
Are you making every interaction with your customers count? Here’s how to shape your customer service and make the last lost customer the final one.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Why-You-Lose-Your-Customers-301233/
The Cloud The Cloud- A Veritable Banquet for VARs
Marketstar Channel Insights, March 2011, by Phil Mickey
The cloud doesn’t have to be a scary thing for VARs and MSPs. Phil explains how the VARs and MSPs can have the cloud work for them instead of against them.
Read more….
http://www.marketstar.com/blog/var-channel/the-cloud-a-veritable-banquet-for-vars/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d6fda72ebdda4e6{cd933a35b4dea5d347db3c1b94e2678db2fa666034d5c43bfb6d103821efc580}2C0#.TwZhOfmkeSp
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Are You a Security Threat to Your Clients?, Channel Insider, February 24, 2011, by Mike Semel
You protect your clients from outside threats, but are you ignoring one of the biggest security holes that threatens client businesses? Plug those holes before it is too late.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Are-You-A-Security-Threat-to-Your-Clients-381136/
ASCII Success Summit Engages VARs and Vendors; Drives Success for All
Channelpro, February 24, 2011, by Michael Siggins
Channelpro explains why ASCII Success Summits are so important to the VARs and MSPs. Read more….
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Top Five Financial Issues VARs Overlook, Channel Insider, February 17, 2011, by Larry Schulze
How well do you know your financials? It is more than just knowing how much profit you make. Here is a look at the top five things VARs overlook. Find out if your are stumbling over one of these on your road to success.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Top-Five-Financial-Issues-VARs-Overlook-404660/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Ready to Win: Pumping Your Sales Team for the Recovery, Channel Insider, February 10, 2011, by Ken Thoreson
The Recovery is here, but are you ready for it? Is your sales team pumped to win? Here is what you should be doing right now to find and convert those opportunities.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Ready-to-Win-Pumping-Your-Sales-Team-for-the-Recovery-576907/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: How to Focus Your Way to Success
Do you set goals for your business every year, but find yourself seldom able to reach them? Here is how successful MSPs reach their goals and grow predictably.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/How-to-Focus-Your-Way-to-Success-446808/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Reaping the Benefits of Social Media Without Investing the Time, Channel Insider, January 19, 2011 by Jerry Koutavas
I used to have a “who cares” mindset around the social media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn because who has the time? But a recent experiment made me change my mind about how effective these tools can be when it comes to keeping in touch with customers.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Reaping-the-Benefits-of-Social-Media-Without-Investing-the-Time/
Do You Web 2.0? Social Media Tips For Business Owners, Business Solutions Magazine, December 8, 2010, by Gennifer Biggs
I know there are still those of you who struggle to wield the power of social media to the advantage of your IT business, so as this year —which could be argued was the point when interactive media truly started to impact the channel — wraps up, I thought I’d share some tips about making social media work for your business.
Read More….
http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/Social-media-tips-for-business-owners-0001
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