2020 Categories & Criteria

ONE entry PER CATEGORY only. Multiple entries in the same category are not allowed and WILL BE DISQUALIFIED with the judges picking just one entry.

Please keep the entry relevant to the UK market and include facts, figures and testimonials to strengthen your entry. Entries that focus on another market outside the UK will be marked down or disqualified.

 CRN reserves the right to move an entry to another category if the judges see fit, and also to drop categories that are not adequately entered. DO NOT go over the 1,000 word count (judges’ discretion does count).

 WE ARE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING ALTERNATIVE STYLE ENTRIES to the standard block of text – this can be in the form of a video or PDF to really make your entry stand out. Feel free to use pictures, these do not count towards the word count. However, you can still submit text entries, you won’t be penalised for doing so, but the option is there to be more creative with your entry if you so wish. But please try not to submit just a huge block of text – it makes reading very difficult for the judges.

Also do not feel you have to address the criteria in a formulaic manner, you can include them in any order you like and you don’t have to divide the entry into a Q&A style entry either.

Special message for 2020: The Coronavirus Pandemic has had an impact globally on companies’ performances and has understandably meant a lot of plans/targets have been altered. CRN is well aware of this and happy to take it into account this year. Please do feel free to mention how the crisis has affected your strategy/goals in the UK and how you have innovated around that, but bear in mind we also have special Covid-19 related categories as well for this year ONLY.

Please click 'view criteria' button to view the full criteria for each category.

Distributor Categories

Cloud Distributor of the Year

Open to distributors that have developed a dedicated cloud business either for one particular vendor, or a growing stable of vendors, and are helping resellers either get into cloud services, or further develop their cloud offerings. The ability to aggregate multiple cloud solutions and simplify the confusion surrounding the amount of cloud technology in the market, will also be taken into account. Entrants must prove that they have assisted their reseller and vendor partners to build a profitable business in 2020, and are really adding value around cloud services.
  • Outline why you are entering this category and provide stats and figures to describe the size of your business in this category – ie turnover and growth, and any investment made in this area of your business over the past 12 months.
  • Provide evidence of the value provided to both your reseller partners and your vendor partners over the past year – use stats and growth figures to back up points. Why does your business stand out from the competition in this category? What successful campaigns have you run (using MDF) that has borne fruit for both your reseller and vendor partners?
  • Outline any particular cloud-focused initiatives that you have launched or that you run/develop each year which helps resellers maximise sales and keep their customers happy, but which also appeals to your vendor partners. This can include licensing, credit facilities, support, training, logistics and of course, events.
  • Do you have examples of outstanding service provision from your teams in this area that show real value-add? How have they overcome any challenges? How do they operate?
  • Pick a particularly successful reseller or vendor case study demonstrating where you have helped them grow their business/grow their channel presence, supported by figures and testimonials from the chosen partner.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Networking/Comms Distributor of the Year

The award is open to all distributors that operate within the networking/comms marketplace, be that SDN, UC, WiFi, AV, network infrastructure or peripherals. Distributors must show how they have helped reseller and vendor partners grow and maintain profitable business in 2020. Entrants can be a full networking/comms specialist or have a division dedicated to networking/comms technology within their overall business.

  • Outline why you are entering this category, why you are relevant to this category and provide stats and figures to describe the size of your business in this category – ie turnover and growth, and any investment made in your datacentre business over the past 12 months.
  • Provide evidence of the value given to both your reseller partners and your vendor partners over the past year – use stats and growth figures to back up points. Why does your business stand out from the competition in this category? What successful campaigns have you run (using MDF) that has borne fruit for both your reseller and vendor partners?
  • Outline any particular datacentre-focused initiatives that you have launched or that you run/develop each year which helps resellers maximise sales and keep their customers happy, but which also appeals to your vendor partners. This can include licensing, credit facilities, support, training and logistics.
  • Do you have examples of outstanding service provision from your teams in this area that show real value-add? How have they overcome any challenges? How do they operate?
  • Pick a particularly successful reseller or vendor case study demonstrating where you have helped them grow their business/grow their channel presence, supported by figures and testimonials from the chosen partner.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Technology Incubator Award

Please do not make this a very technical/technology-based entry – the purpose is to identify a distributor that is outstanding in the field at recognising new technology and openly promoting it to the channel. Those distributors that class themselves as true incubators of technology that is new and disruptive to market. The ability to identify new technology trends and harness them to benefit their business and that of their partners will also be taken into account. Entrants must prove that they have assisted their reseller and vendor partners to build a profitable business in 2020 using this technology.
  • Outline why you are entering this category and why your business is classed as a technology incubator. Feel free to provide some examples of the technology that you have brought to market in the past year.
  • Describe how that technology has been helped by you to be a success in the UK market. Were you the first to spot it? How did you discover the technology? Why have you invested in it? How does it fit into your portfolio? What successful campaigns have you run with the technology that has borne fruit for both your reseller and vendor partners?
  • Do you have examples of outstanding service provision from your teams in this area that have really helped this technology take off? How have they overcome any challenges? How do they operate?
  • Pick a particularly successful reseller or vendor case study demonstrating where you have helped them grow their business/grow their channel presence, supported by figures and testimonials from the chosen partner.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Innovative Project Award

Open to distributors who have overseen true innovation in their field over the past year – this can be the launch of a new event that has benefited its partners and customers, a new platform to aggregate/distribute technologies, a new finance scheme, the launch of a new team that has made life easier for partners or anything that can be classed as true innovation in its field. Please focus on ONE project only and tell the judges everything they need to know.

  • Outline why you are entering this category and why you feel your particular project deserves recognition. Please describe what the project is, why you think it is innovative, how it came about and how it works within your business.
  • Provide evidence of the value this particular project has provided to both your reseller partners and your vendor partners over the past year – use stats and growth figures to back up points. Why do you stand out from the competition? Have you run any particularly unusual campaigns or events to promote this specific project?
  • How have your internal teams contributed to this innovative project – has anyone been particularly outstanding? How have they overcome any challenges? How do they operate?
  • Pick a particularly successful reseller or vendor case study demonstrating where your particular innovative project has helped them grow their business/grow their channel presence, supported by figures and testimonials from the chosen partner.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Security Distributor of the Year

The category is aimed at distributors offering cybersecurity solutions, including hardware, software or peripherals within the cybersecurity arena. Entrants must prove how they have assisted their reseller and vendor partners to build a profitable business in 2020. Entrants can either be fully dedicated to Security, or have a Security division within their overall business.
  • Outline why you are entering this category, why you are relevant to this category, and provide stats and figures to describe the size of your business in this category – ie turnover and growth and any investment made in this area of your Security business over the past 12 months.
  • Provide evidence of the value given to both your reseller partners and your vendor partners over the past year – use stats and growth figures to back up points. Why does your business stand out from the competition in this category? What successful campaigns have you run (using MDF) that has borne fruit for both your reseller and vendor partners?
  • Outline any particular Security focused initiatives that you have launched or that you run/develop each year which helps resellers maximise sales and keep their customers happy, but which also appeals to your vendor partners. This can include licensing, credit facilities, support, training, logistics and of course, events
  • Do you have examples of outstanding service provision from your teams in this area that show real value-add? How have they overcome any challenges? How do they operate?
  • Pick a particularly successful reseller or vendor case study demonstrating where you have helped them grow their business/grow their channel presence, supported by figures and testimonials from the chosen partner.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Storage Distributor of the Year

The award is open to all distributors that operate within the storage marketplace, be that software, hardware or peripherals or cloud-based/datacentre storage. Distributors must show how they have helped reseller and vendor partners grow and maintain profitable business between July 2019 and July 2020. Entrants can be fully dedicated to storage, or have a storage division within their overall business – but this needs to be explained fully in the entry.

  • Outline why you are entering this category and provide stats and figures to describe the size of your business in this category – ie turnover and growth, and any investment made in this area of your storage business over the past 12 months.
  • Provide evidence of the value provided to both your reseller partners and your vendor partners over the past year – use stats and growth figures to back up points. Why does your business stand out from the competition in this category? What successful campaigns have you run (using MDF) that has borne fruit for both your reseller and vendor partners?
  • Outline any particular storage-focused initiatives that you have launched or that you run/develop each year which helps resellers maximise sales and keep their customers happy, but which also appeals to your vendor partners. This can include licensing, credit facilities, support, training and logistics.
  • Do you have examples of outstanding service provision from your teams in this area that show real value-add? How have they overcome any challenges? How do they operate?
  • Pick a particularly successful reseller or vendor case study demonstrating where you have helped them grow their business/grow their channel presence, supported by figures and testimonials from the chosen partner.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Best Covid-19-related project/initiative of the Year – Distributor - For 2020 ONLY

This has been a year like no other for all of us, and while there has been far too much sadness and tragic loss, the Coronavirus Pandemic has also brought out the best in so many people and companies.

Firms have been forced to innovate like never before, and channel firms have been at the very heart of this innovation – whether it is helping customers shift almost overnight to a full remote working strategy, or being involved in many initiatives that have helped vital organisations such the NHS keep going under immense pressure.

This award is to recognise that innovation and give some much-deserved recognition to those companies that have gone out of their way to help keep this country running during the most challenging conditions we have experienced in living memory. This award is to celebrate that innovation and raise awareness of some of the fantastic initiatives and projects that the channel was involved in during the heart of the crisis.

  • Outline what initiative you are entering in this category and explain how it came about during the pandemic. Tell us what the initiative was in as much detail as possible.
  • Feel free to explain how your company was personally affected by the crisis and how this initiative has not only helped customers, but has also impacted on the company itself.
  • The personal touch – how did your teams pull together to get this initiative off the ground? How much work went into it and how did they implement it under difficult social distancing conditions?
  • Testimonial – ask the customer to provide a short explanation of how your initiative has helped them and how vital it has been to helping them serve their own customers.
  • Any figures/facts you can share to demonstrate the achievements of the initiative will be welcomed by the judges.

Entries can be anything between 400 and 1,000 words – please include as much relevant information as possible and make it as personal as you like.

Hero/Heroes of the Year - Distributor – For 2020 ONLY

2020 has been a year like no other for all of us, and while there has been far too much sadness and tragic loss, the Coronavirus Pandemic has brought many stories of human compassion and joy.

The channel has always been a caring environment with people right at the very heart of it, and there are many unsung heroes that just keep giving. Now is the time to recognise them. This award is aimed at giving some much deserved recognition to those individuals or teams that have gone out of their way to help others during this crisis – this could be in a business capacity – with a company owner/director/team leader/manager helping vulnerable staff put food on the table, working with partners to provide an essential service, or a team working together to provide PPE to local NHS organisations or businesses, or individuals and teams helping their local community in other ways.

While they may be embarrassed – it is crucial that these unsung heroes get the recognition they deserve for their efforts.

  • Outline who/what team you are entering for this award. Please name everyone involved so they get the recognition they deserve. It is perfectly acceptable to nominate a team you are part of.
  • Explain what they have done and how it came about in as much detail as possible.
  • Feel free to explain how your company was personally affected by the crisis and how what these heroes has done has not only helped the intended recipients, but how their actions have impacted on the company itself.
  • Testimonial – feel free to get colleagues and those actually helped by their actions to say a few words about what they have done.

Entries can be anything between 400 and 1,000 words – please include as much relevant information as possible and make it as personal as you like.

Distributor of the Year – sub £250m

This category is encouraged to give the smaller distributors a platform on which to showcase their excellence. It is open to all distributors with a TOTAL turnover of £250m or less that feel they have done a particularly outstanding job over the past 12 months to deserve this prestigious new award. Any distributor, regardless of specialisation or focus is eligible to enter this award. Divisions of larger organisations cannot be entered in this category.

IMPORTANT: If you make the shortlist for this category, you will be required to produce further material to show to the judges on or before the official judging day. Normally this is a face-to-face presentation, but depending on how the Covid-19 situation progresses, this could be a five-minute video presentation instead. We will keep you informed as this develops.

  • Demonstrate why you feel you qualify for the Distributor of the Year (sub £250m turnover) Award, use stats and figures to back up your claims and convince the judges you deserve to win.
  • What has your business achieved in the past 12 months that makes it stand out from the competition? ie This can be a mix of initiatives launched to help your customers maximise their business, reorganisation of reseller/vendor facing teams, exceptional service in a difficult or challenging situation, significant expansion of the business through organic or acquisitive growth, or simply punching above your weight in terms of business offerings and most of all results. Back up all claims with stats and figures.
  • What has been your company’s biggest achievement over the past year? Why are you proud of it, how have your people contributed to that and what extra resources did you dedicate to achieving this success?
  • Pick a particularly successful case study (can be either reseller partnership or vendor partnership) from the past year (using stats and figures again) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, and why you think it will help you win this award. A reseller/vendor testimonial can be used to back up the case study.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Distributor of the Year (£251m+ turnover)

This category is open to all distributors that feel they have done a particularly outstanding job over the past 12 months that deserves the top accolade at the CRN awards. Any distributor, with a turnover of £251m+, regardless of specialisation or focus, is eligible to enter this award. Please do not enter if you turnover is below £251m.

IMPORTANT: If you make the shortlist for this category, you will be required to produce further material to show to the judges on or before the official judging day. Normally this is a face-to-face presentation, but depending on how the Covid-19 situation progresses, this could be a five-minute video presentation instead. We will keep you informed as this develops.

  • Demonstrate why you feel you qualify for the Distributor of the Year Award, use stats and figures to back up your claims and convince the judges you deserve to win
  • What has your business achieved in the past 12 months that makes it stand out from the competition? ie This can be a mix of initiatives launched to help your customers maximise their business, reorganisation of reseller/vendor facing teams, exceptional service in a difficult or challenging situation, significant expansion of the business through organic or acquisitive growth, or simply punching above your weight in terms of business offerings and most of all results. Back up all claims with stats and figures.
  • What has been your company’s biggest achievement over the past year? Why are you proud of it, how have your people contributed to that and what extra resources did you dedicate to achieving this success?
  • Pick a particularly successful case study (can be either reseller partnership or vendor partnership) from the past year (using stats and figures again) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, and why you think it will help you win this award. A reseller/vendor testimonial can be used to back up the case study.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Vendor Categories

Datacentre Vendor of the Year

The award is open to all vendors operating within the UK datacentre market. This includes manufacturers of servers, networking equipment, software, components or peripherals that are relevant to the datacentre market. The manufacturers must be able to show that they have helped their channel partners to build and grow a profitable business in 2019/2020
  • Outline why you are entering this category, explain a bit about your company, your relevance to the category, what the channel means to your business - back up with numbers and stats to show channel growth and the actual percentage of your business that is through partners - and ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.  
  • What changes/enhancements have been made to your channel programme (can be in the form of products, new services and support) in the last 12 months, with evidence of the impact those changes have had on your partners (stats, figures) and describe why your programme stands out from the competition.
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study.
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ and get the best out of your indirect strategy?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Software Defined Vendor of the Year

The award is open to all vendors that manufacture and sell a software-defined product whether this is Software defined networking, WAN, Storage or simply Software defined everything (SDX). The manufacturers must be able to show that they have helped their channel partners to build and grow a profitable business in 2019/2020
  • Outline why you are entering this category, explain a bit about your company, your relevance to the category, what the channel means to your business - back up with numbers and stats to show channel growth and the actual percentage of your business that is through partners - and ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.
  • What changes/enhancements have been made to your channel programme (can be in the form of products, new services and support) in the last 12 months, with evidence of the impact those changes have had on your partners (stats, figures) and describe why your programme stands out from the competition.
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study.
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ and get the best out of your indirect strategy?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Security Vendor of the Year

This category is for all vendors that manufacture/develop software, hardware, systems or peripherals for the security market. The manufacturers must be able to show that they have helped their channel partners to build and grow a profitable business in 2019/2020.
  • Outline why you are entering this category, explain what your company is, your relevancy to the category, what the channel means to your business - back up with numbers and stats to show channel growth and the actual percentage of your business that is through partners - and ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.
  • What changes/enhancements have been made to your channel programme (can be in the form of products, new services and support) in the last 12 months, with evidence of the impact those changes have had on your partners (stats, figures) and describe why your programme stands out from the competition.
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study.
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ and get the best out of your indirect strategy?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Specialist Vendor of the Year

This category is open to vendors that manufacture (and/or market) particular ‘specialist’ offerings. This includes both specialist products which a vendor may develop and/or a service that the vendor may offer. It must be a finished product and/or service, not component i.e. a product or service that a distributor or reseller can stock and/or sell. This will include audio-visual vendors, printer vendors, internet services, hosting or broadband services, WAN infrastructure and managed services or hosted applications. Please note that because there are cloud services, software defined, PSA/RMM, datacentre and security categories as well, preference will be given to entries outside those three areas. Vendors must show that they have helped their channel partners grow and build a profitable business in 2019/20.
  • Outline why you are entering this category, describe your company briefly, your relevancy to the category, what the channel means to your business - back up with numbers and stats to show channel growth and the actual percentage of your business that is through partners - and ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.
  • What changes/enhancements have been made to your channel programme (can be in the form of products, new services and support) in the last 12 months, with evidence of the impact those changes have had on your partners (stats, figures) and describe why your programme stands out from the competition.
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study.
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ and get the best out of your indirect strategy?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Cloud Services Vendor of the Year

This category is open to all cloud services vendors, whether they sell a physical product or a virtual one. This includes cloud-based software manufacturers/developers and providers of any type of cloud service/product TO the channel. The vendors entering must be able to show that they have helped their channel partners to build and grow a profitable business in 2019/2020.

  • Outline why you are entering this category, briefly describe your company, your relevancy to the category, what the channel means to your business - back up with numbers and stats to show channel growth and the actual percentage of your business that is through partners - and ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.
  • What changes/enhancements have been made to your channel programme (can be in the form of products, new services and support) in the last 12 months, with evidence of the impact those changes have had on your partners (stats, figures) and describe why your programme stands out from the competition.
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study.
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ and get the best out of your indirect strategy?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Emerging Vendor of the Year

This category is open to all manufacturers that would class themselves as a relative newcomer to the channel, having worked with channel partners IN THE UK for a minimum of one and MAXIMUM of five years to qualify. The manufacturers must be able to show that they have helped their UK channel partners to build and grow a profitable business in 2019/2020, and also demonstrate what they think makes them eligible to be classed as an emerging vendor.

  • Outline why you are entering this category, briefly describe your company, your relevancy to the category, what the channel means to your business. Explain why you consider yourself an emerging vendor and what makes you stand out from the competition - back these claims up with numbers and stats to show both company and channel growth and the actual percentage of your business that is through partners. Please ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.
  • Why have you picked the channel as your preferred route to market, and what benefits do you think you can bring your channel partners – can you provide any proof in the form of stats/figures (from the last 12 months?). Why should they go with you rather than the more established vendors in the market? What do you bring to channel that is fresh, exciting and new?
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training, or indeed have you seen rapid channel growth this year that has made a difference to your business? – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ and get the best out of your indirect strategy?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

PSA/RMM Vendor of the Year

This category is open to all vendors that operate in the Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) or Professional Services Automation (PSA) spaces. This is a fast-growing space and CRN believes it deserves a category to itself. The vendors entering must be able to show that they have helped their channel partners to build and grow a profitable business in 2019/2020 and how their technology is helping both partners and their customers better their businesses.

  • Outline why you are entering this category, briefly describe your company, your relevancy to the category, what the channel means to your business - back up with numbers and stats to show channel growth and the actual percentage of your business that is through partners - and ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.
  • What changes/enhancements have been made to your channel programme (can be in the form of products, new services and support) in the last 12 months, with evidence of the impact those changes have had on your partners (stats, figures) and describe why your programme stands out from the competition.
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study.
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ and get the best out of your indirect strategy?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Best Covid-19-related project/initiative of the Year – Vendor - For 2020 ONLY

This has been a year like no other for all of us, and while there has been far too much sadness and tragic loss, the Coronavirus Pandemic has also brought out the best in so many people and companies.

Firms have been forced to innovate like never before, and channel firms have been at the very heart of this innovation – whether it is helping customers shift almost overnight to a full remote working strategy, or being involved in many initiatives that have helped vital organisations such the NHS keep going under immense pressure.

This award is to recognise that innovation and give some much-deserved recognition to those companies that have gone out of their way to help keep this country running during the most challenging conditions we have experienced in living memory. This award is to celebrate that innovation and raise awareness of some of the fantastic initiatives and projects that the channel was involved in during the heart of the crisis.

  • Outline what initiative you are entering in this category and explain how it came about during the pandemic. Tell us what the initiative was in as much detail as possible.
  • Feel free to explain how your company was personally affected by the crisis and how this initiative has not only helped customers, but has also impacted on the company itself.
  • The personal touch – how did your teams pull together to get this initiative off the ground? How much work went into it and how did they implement it under difficult social distancing conditions?
  • Testimonial – ask the customer to provide a short explanation of how your initiative has helped them and how vital it has been to helping them serve their own customers.
  • Any figures/facts you can share to demonstrate the achievements of the initiative will be welcomed by the judges.

Entries can be anything between 400 and 1,000 words – please include as much relevant information as possible and make it as personal as you like.

Hero/Heroes of the Year - Vendor – For 2020 ONLY

2020 has been a year like no other for all of us, and while there has been far too much sadness and tragic loss, the Coronavirus Pandemic has brought many stories of human compassion and joy. The channel has always been a caring environment with people right at the very heart of it, and there are many unsung heroes that just keep giving. Now is the time to recognise them.

This award is aimed at giving some much deserved recognition to those individuals or teams that have gone out of their way to help others during this crisis – this could be in a business capacity – with a CEO/director/regional manager/team leader helping vulnerable staff put food on the table, working with partners to provide an essential service, or a team working together to provide PPE to local NHS organisations or businesses, or individuals and teams helping their local community in other ways. While they may be embarrassed – it is crucial that these unsung heroes get the recognition they deserve for their efforts

  • Outline who/what team you are entering for this award. Please name everyone involved so they get the recognition they deserve. It is perfectly acceptable to nominate a team you are part of.
  • Explain what they have done and how it came about in as much detail as possible.
  • Feel free to explain how your company was personally affected by the crisis and how what these heroes has done has not only helped the intended recipients, but how their actions have impacted on the company itself.
  • Testimonial – feel free to get colleagues and those actually helped by their actions to say a few words about what they have done.

Entries can be anything between 400 and 1,000 words – please include as much relevant information as possible and make it as personal as you like.

Vendor of the Year

This category is open to all vendors that feel they have done a particularly outstanding job in the UK channel over the past 12 months that deserves the top accolade at the CRN awards. Any vendor, regardless of size, specialisation or focus is eligible to enter this award.

IMPORTANT: If you make the shortlist for this category, you will be required to produce further material to show to the judges on or before the official judging day. Normally this is a face-to-face presentation, but depending on how the Covid-19 situation progresses, this could be a five-minute video presentation instead. We will keep you informed as this develops.

  • Demonstrate why you feel you qualify for the Vendor of the Year award – use stats and examples to show channel business growth, partner acquisition (both reseller and distributor), support and investment made into your channel strategy over the past year.
  • Why do you think you have done a better job than your competitors?
  • What has your channel-facing business achieved in the past 12 months that makes it stand out from the competition? Use facts, stats and figures to back this up and strengthen your entry.
  • What has been your company’s biggest achievement over the past year in relation to the channel?
  • What part has your channel-facing team played in this and how is their relationship generally with the channel?
  • Pick a particularly successful case study (can be either reseller or distributor partnership) from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success, and why you think it will help you win this award. A reseller/distributor testimonial can be used to back up the case study.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Reseller Categories

MSSP/Security VAR of the Year

With security being the number one concern of end user customers, this category is aimed at VARs/security service providers to highlight excellence in cybersecurity. This category is open to all VARs/MSSPs/integrators that specialise in security solutions and services to customers of any size, whether this is SMB, mid-market or enterprise, or to those that have a strong security flavour to their portfolio of services.

  • Outline why you are entering this category and why you should be considered as a contender for this award. How much of your business is security based? What standards do you comply to? What are your customers’ biggest security fears? Please include stats and figures to back up your points.
  • Provide evidence of the value provided to your customers. Include any investment in new technologies/vendor accreditations/services for example. Or if you have made an acquisition to further bolster your offerings, please elaborate. Why do you stand out from the competition in this category? Why are you a valuable partner for vendors in this space? 
  • Pick a particularly successful customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that customer overcome particular security concerns/beat hackers/cybercriminals, or protect against further security breaches. A customer testimonial must be used to back up the study and again use stats.
  • People – How have you invested in your people to ensure they provide the best possible security-based service to your customers and are fully trained? Do you invest in training/team-building exercises to keep your staff happy? Do all your staff comply with all the necessary rules and regulations? If so, which ones?
  • Company image – describe any marketing activities you undertake to raise awareness of your company to customers, and how you go the extra mile to keep customers happy/why they keep coming back to you for all their security needs.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant customer testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Cloud Services Provider of the Year

This category is open to channel players with a specific focus on providing cloud-based services to their end user customers. This can be in any vertical sector with any relevant cloud technology set, whether it is security, storage, infrastructure, datacentre services or a mix of the above and others.

NOTE: Resellers/MSPs entering this category should derive at least 40 per cent of their business from the provision of cloud products and services. Please address this point in your entry.

  • Outline why you are entering this category and convince the judges why your entry should be considered in this category. Are you a true cloud provider? If you have been on a journey to the cloud, or are a born in the cloud player, please include a full but brief outline.
  • Explain your cloud business – the services and products you offer and what customer demographic you serve with your offerings. Please include stats and figures to help set the scene and ensure you meet for criteria cut off point for entry.
  • Provide evidence of the value your cloud offerings provide to your clients over the past year– use stats and growth figures to back up points. Include any investment in new systems/vendor accreditations/services for example. Or if you have made an acquisition to further bolster your offerings, please elaborate. Why do you stand out from the competition in this category? Why are you a valuable partner for vendors in this space?
  • Pick a particularly successful customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how your cloud solutions helped that customer save money/streamline their business/improve their service. A customer testimonial must be used to back up the study and again use stats.
  • People – How have you invested in your people to ensure they provide the best possible service to your customers? Do you invest in training to ensure your teams are always up to date with the latest cloud technology?

Corporate VAR of the Year

This category is open to all VARs/MSPs/integrators that deal with either mid-market (loose definition: 250-1,000 seats) or enterprise (loose definition: 1,000+ seats) customers, or a mix of both – supplying products, managed services or a mix of both, preferably from a mix of vendors. These customers can be UK based, have multiple UK offices, or be multi-national companies with a significant base in the UK, in the private sector. At least 50 per cent of your business needs to fall under the ‘corporate’ definition to be eligible to enter.

  • Outline why you are entering this category and convince the judges why your entry should be considered in this category – give examples of customer demographics and include some information about your business to set the scene – size, staff, how long company been in business etc. Please include stats and figures to demonstrate growth and company size.
  • Provide evidence of the value provided to your corporate clients over the past year– use stats and growth figures to back up points. Include any investment in new systems/vendor accreditations/services for example. Or if you have made an acquisition to further bolster your offerings, please elaborate. Why do you stand out from the competition in this category? Why are you a valuable partner for vendors in this space?
  • Pick a particularly successful corporate customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that customer save money/streamline their business/improve their service. A customer testimonial can be used to back up the study and again use stats.
  • People – How have you invested in your people to ensure they provide the best possible service to your customers? Do you invest in training/team-building exercises to keep your staff happy?
  • Company image – describe any marketing activities you undertake to raise awareness of your company to customers, and how you go the extra mile to keep customers happy.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant customer testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Public Sector VAR/MSP of the Year

This category is open to VARs/MSPs that have a clear focus on doing business, providing products and solutions to public sector customers. These organisations can be in any part of the public sector from education to healthcare, from local government to government, and emergency services.

AT LEAST 40 per cent of your business must be public sector-based to qualify for entry.

  • Outline why you are entering this category and convince the judges why your entry should be considered in this category.
  • Set the scene and describe in detail the percentage of your business that is public sector as per requirements, using stats and figures where possible, and explain which part/parts of the public sector you serve and what exactly you specialise in.
  • Provide evidence of the value provided to your public sector clients over the past year– use stats and growth figures to back up points. Include any investment in new systems/vendor accreditations/services for example. Or if you have made an acquisition to further bolster your public sector offerings, please elaborate. Why do you stand out from the competition in this category? Why are you a valuable partner for vendors in this space?
  • Pick a particularly successful public sector customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that customer save money/streamline their business/improve their service. A customer testimonial must be used to back up the study and again use stats.
  • People – How have you invested in your people to ensure they provide the best possible service to your customers?
  • Company image – describe any marketing activities you undertake to raise awareness of your company to public sector customers, and how you go the extra mile to keep those customers happy.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant customer testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

SMB Reseller of the Year

The award is open to resellers that have a focus on the SMB market, whether this is on very small companies (1-9 employees) within a locality or region, or larger firms that fall within the ‘SMB’ definition i.e. fewer than 250 employees. Firms that are fairly young and consider themselves an ‘up and coming’ player in the SMB space, and have seen excellent growth since launch can also enter.

NOTE – More than 75 per cent of your business must be SMB to qualify for entry. Please make sure you address this point.

  • Outline why you are entering this category and convince the judges why your entry should be considered in this category – give examples of customer demographics and include some information about your business to set the scene – size, staff, how long company been in business etc. Please include stats and figures to demonstrate growth and company size.
  • Provide evidence of the value provided to your SMB clients over the past year– use stats and growth figures to back up points. Include any investment in new systems/vendor accreditations/services for example. Or if you have made an acquisition to further bolster your offerings, please elaborate. Why do you stand out from the competition in this category? Why are you a valuable partner for vendors in this space?
  • If you are entering as an ‘emerging’ company – give evidence of rapid growth in the form of facts and figures, and explain why you stand out from your peers. Plus give some ideas of growth expectations in the years to come.
  • Pick a particularly successful corporate customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that customer save money/streamline their business/improve their service. A customer testimonial must be used to back up the study and again use stats.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

MSP of the Year

This award is ONLY open to companies that can truly call themselves a managed service provider (MSP). Vendors or support companies DO NOT qualify for this award and will be removed from the category. Business has to consist primarily of managed services TO END USER CUSTOMERS, this can be any or as many of the ‘as-a-service’ disciplines as you like – although bear in mind there is a separate cloud category, so non-cloud entries will be given priority and cloud entries could be moved by the judges. Entries can cover managed services to enterprise, mid-market or SMB level customers. We would ask that at least 75 per cent of your business is through managed services to qualify for entry.
  • Outline why you are entering this category and convince the judges why your entry should be considered in this category – explain the managed services part of your business, using figures and stats to demonstrate the size of that business, and ensure it meets the criteria requirements.
  • Provide evidence of the value provided to your customers over the past year through your services – use stats and growth figures to back up points. Include any investment in new systems/vendor accreditations/services for example. Or if you have made an acquisition to further bolster your offerings, please elaborate. Why do you stand out from the competition in this category? Why are you a valuable partner for vendors in this space?
  • Pick a particularly successful corporate customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that customer save money/streamline their business/improve their service to their own customers. A customer testimonial must be used to back up the study and again use stats.
  • People – How have you invested in your people to ensure they provide the best possible services to your customers? Do you invest in training- if so what type and how often?

Best Covid-19-related project/initiative of the Year – Reseller - For 2020 ONLY

This has been a year like no other for all of us, and while there has been far too much sadness and tragic loss, the Coronavirus Pandemic has also brought out the best in so many people and companies. Firms have been forced to innovate like never before, and channel firms have been at the very heart of this innovation – whether it is helping customers shift almost overnight to a full remote working strategy, or being involved in many initiatives that have helped vital organisations such the NHS keep going under immense pressure.

This award is to recognise that innovation and give some much-deserved recognition to those companies that have gone out of their way to help keep this country running during the most challenging conditions we have experienced in living memory. This award is to celebrate that innovation and raise awareness of some of the fantastic initiatives and projects that the channel was involved in during the heart of the crisis.

  • Outline what initiative you are entering in this category and explain how it came about during the pandemic. Tell us what the initiative was in as much detail as possible.
  • Feel free to explain how your company was personally affected by the crisis and how this initiative has not only helped customers, but has also impacted on the company itself.
  • The personal touch – how did your teams pull together to get this initiative off the ground? How much work went into it and how did they implement it under difficult social distancing conditions?
  • Testimonial – ask the customer to provide a short explanation of how your initiative has helped them and how vital it has been to helping them serve their own customers.
  • Any figures/facts you can share to demonstrate the achievements of the initiative will be welcomed by the judges.

Entries can be anything between 400 and 1,000 words – please include as much relevant information as possible and make it as personal as you like.

Hero/Heroes of the Year - Reseller – For 2020 ONLY

2020 has been a year like no other for all of us, and while there has been far too much sadness and tragic loss, the Coronavirus Pandemic has brought many stories of human compassion and joy.

The channel has always been a caring environment with people right at the very heart of it, and there are many unsung heroes that just keep giving. Now is the time to recognise them. This award is aimed at giving some much deserved recognition to those individuals or teams that have gone out of their way to help others during this crisis – this could be in a business capacity – such as a company owner/director/team leader helping vulnerable staff put food on the table, working with partners to provide an essential service, or a team working together to provide PPE to local NHS organisations or businesses, or individuals and teams helping their local community in other ways.

While they may be embarrassed – it is crucial that these unsung heroes get the recognition they deserve for their efforts.

  • Outline who/what team you are entering for this award. Please name everyone involved so they get the recognition they deserve. It is perfectly acceptable to nominate a team you are part of.
  • Explain what they have done and how it came about in as much detail as possible.
  • Feel free to explain how your company was personally affected by the crisis and how what these heroes has done has not only helped the intended recipients, but how their actions have impacted on the company itself.
  • Testimonial – feel free to get colleagues and those actually helped by their actions to say a few words about what they have done.

Entries can be anything between 400 and 1,000 words – please include as much relevant information as possible and make it as personal as you like.

Rising Star Award

This category is open any company that is seeing phenomenal growth in their field and has been in business for a MAXIMUM of five years and MINIMUM of 18 months in their current form. There is no specific business model that is more qualified than others to enter – so you could be an MSP, VAR, integrator or a specific vertical sector IT provider. If you can demonstrate strong growth over the past year, feel you are a disruptive force and can give some example of your potential growth in the future, then you are the ideal candidate for this award.

  • Outline why you are entering this category, and convince the judges why your entry should be considered in this category – give examples of customer demographics and include some information about your business to set the scene – size, staff, how long company been in business, what exactly you do etc.
  • Provide evidence of your growth over the past year and why you should be considered as a rising star in your field – what will you achieve in the coming year and how will you make an impact on the market? Use stats and figures to back up your points. Include any investment in new systems/vendor accreditations/services for example. Or if you have made an acquisition to further bolster your offerings, please elaborate. Why do you stand out from the competition in this category? Why are you a valuable player and a one to watch in this space?
  • Pick a particularly successful case study from the past year that has contributed to your amazing growth and explain to the judges why it was such a success and perhaps what different skills you brought to the table. A customer testimonial must be used to back up the study and again use stats.
  • People – how do you keep your staff happy and motivated? Do you offer anything different from the norm?
  • Company image – describe any marketing activities you undertake to raise awareness of your company to customers, and how you go the extra mile to keep customers happy and ensure you continue to grow.

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant customer testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Reseller of the Year (£101m+ turnover)

This category is open to all VARs/MSPs/Integrators with a turnover above £101m, that feel they have done a particularly outstanding job over the past 12 months that deserves a top reseller accolade at the CRN awards. Any IT supplier, regardless of specialisation or focus is eligible to enter this award, but to be in with a chance of winning you have to have done something spectacular to impress the judges and be prepared to shout about it. Plus your turnover threshold must qualify to enter.

IMPORTANT: If you make the shortlist for this category, you will be required to produce further material to show to the judges on or before the official judging day. Normally this is a face-to-face presentation, but depending on how the Covid-19 situation progresses, this could be a five-minute video presentation instead. We will keep you informed as this develops.

  • Demonstrate why you feel you qualify for the Reseller of the Year (£101m+ turnover) award (this can be staff happiness/retention, impressive achievements, vendor accolades etc) and remember to use stats/figures to show growth and back up claims.
  • What has your business achieved in the past 12 months that makes it stand out from the competition – this can be either significant revenue growth (both organic and through acquisition), a large number of vendor accreditations in one year, significant amount of major contract wins or just punching above your weight in a challenging economic climate. Again use stats and figures.
  • What has been your company’s most impressive achievement this year? Why are you proud of it, how did your people help achieve it? Again back up with stats and figures.
  • Pick a particularly successful corporate customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success and why it should help you win the award. Remember to include stats and testimonials.
  • People – How have you invested in your people to ensure they provide the best possible service to your customers? Do you do anything unusual for your staff that the competition doesn’t?

Reseller of the Year (sub £100m turnover)

This category has been launched to give the smaller players in the market a chance to compete on a more even playing field against their peers. The award is open to all VARs/MSPs/Integrators with a turnover up to £100m, that feel they have done a particularly outstanding job over the past 12 months that deserves a top reseller accolade at the CRN awards. Any IT supplier, regardless of specialisation or focus is eligible to enter this award, but to be in with a chance of winning you have to have done something spectacular to impress the judges and be prepared to shout about it. Plus your turnover threshold must qualify to enter.

  • Demonstrate why you feel you should win the Reseller of the Year (sub £100m turnover) award (this can be staff happiness/retention, impressive achievements, vendor accolades etc) and remember to use stats/figures to show growth and back up claims. You must also let the judges know your turnover to qualify.
  • What has your business achieved in the past 12 months that makes it stand out from the competition – this can be either significant revenue growth (both organic and through acquisition), a large number of vendor accreditations in one year, significant amount of major contract wins or just punching above your weight in a challenging economic climate. Again use stats and figures.
  • What has been your company’s most impressive achievement this year? Why are you proud of it, how did your people help achieve it? Again back up with stats and figures.
  • Pick a particularly successful corporate customer case study from the past year and explain to the judges why it was such a success and why it should help you win the award. Remember to include stats and testimonials.
  • People – How have you invested in your people to ensure they provide the best possible service to your customers? Do you do anything unusual for your staff that the competition doesn’t?

General Categories

Channel Service Provider of the Year

This award is ONLY open to organisations that can call themselves a channel service provider. Their business has to consist primarily of services TO CHANNEL CUSTOMERS, whether this is tech support, marketing, price sourcing and finance for example. Entries can cover services to enterprise, mid-market or SMB markets.

  • Outline why you are entering this category, tell us briefly about your company, your business model and what makes you qualify to be described as a true channel services provider to the UK channel – use numbers and stats to show growth and the actual percentage of your business that goes through the channel. Also ensure the entry is relevant to the UK market.
  • What new products, services and support have you supplied to the channel in the last 12 months, with evidence of the impact those changes have had on your partners (stats, figures) and describe why your company stands out from the competition.
  • Describe how you have assisted your channel partners to actively increase their business over the past year – this can be through additional investment, headcount and training – please use facts and figures relevant to the UK market.
  • Pick a particularly successful partner (reseller/VAR/MSP/Integrator) case study from the past year (ie a partner that has seen their business grow as a result of your partnership) and explain to the judges why it was such a success, how you helped that partner succeed and ensure partner testimonials back up the case study.
  • Company ethos – how important is the channel throughout your company, how do you encourage staff to ‘think channel’ get the best out of your partnerships?

Maximum word count: 1,000. Please read the criteria before submitting your entry. Relevant partner testimonials and supporting materials are welcome but must not exceed the 1,000 maximum word count.

Channel Chief of the Year - Nominate

We are asking resellers to submit the name of a vendor channel chief that they feel has done a particularly outstanding job over the past year (between July 2019 and July 2020) and deserve recognition.

Entries need to be a paragraph of between 200 and 300 words, outlining who the person is, which vendor they work for, and what they have done for their channel partners to deserve this award.

The most deserving and most nominated candidate will be selected by the CRN editorial team and will not involve the judging panel. Please send entries to Doug.Woodburn@incisivemedia.com and Sara.Yirrell@incisivemedia.com.