This year's MSP 501 Special Awards competition received a record number of entries from managed service providers who were looking for recognition of achievement by their senior leaders or overall organizational impact. Each entry was carefully reviewed by our internal Informa Channels team before being sent to a large group of industry leaders who volunteered to serve as judges for this year's MSP 501 Special Awards. After a few weeks of intense review, the judges came back with their top picks for each of the categories that included MSP of the Year, Executive of the Year, Vanguard of the Year, Digital Innovator of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement. The finalists in each of the categories will be recognized at the MSP 501 Gala scheduled for Sept. 17th at Orlando's Loews Royal Pacific Hotel where the MSP Summit is being held. Finalists will receive a special honor in front of their peers at the gala where they will be invited on the main stage to accept a trophy for their achievement.

Judges were impressed by the quality of each submission, which showcased how these senior leaders and their organizations are impacting the future of their customers, growing at above-industry-average rates and applying technology solutions in new and innovative ways. Every application deserves recognition, which is why we are publicly releasing all of this year's submissions. They truly represent the best of the best.

The Channel Partners MSP 501 Vanguard of the Year award recognizes organizations redefining the future of managed services. It celebrates organizations that transcend traditional MSP boundaries through groundbreaking innovation, strategic foresight, and measurable business impact.

The Vanguard winners don't just adapt to industry evolution—they actively shape it, setting new standards that others aspire to follow. They fundamentally redefine what's possible. Winners demonstrate the vision to anticipate future needs, the courage to pioneer uncharted territory, and the excellence to deliver transformative results for their clients and their own businesses.

Our judges looked at:

Industry Leadership & Innovation -- including use of emerging technologies.

Client Transformation Partnership -- how the MSP has evolved beyond traditional IT services to become an essential strategic partner in clients' business innovation journeys.

AI & Advanced Technology Integration -- what is the MSP’s AI strategy, including its approach to responsible AI implementation within its service offerings.

Operational Excellence & Business Impact -- How the MSP has reimagined its internal operations through innovative technologies or methodologies.

Distinctive Differentiation -- unique intellectual property, methodologies, or business approaches the MSP has developed that cannot be easily replicated.

Here are the Vanguard of the Year candidates:

• 360 SOC
• Anunta Technology
• Assured Data Protection
• BIOS Technologies
• Blue Paladin
• Braver Technology
• Carbon60
• CloudWave
• Colden Company
• Datalink Networks
• DaZZee IT Services
• Emerge Digital
• Expedient
• IT Support RI
• Jolera
• Micro-Tech USA
• Red Key Solutions
• Skyriver IT
• Spectrotel
• Triton Networks