How We Choose Emerging Vendors

Each vendor was required to submit specific information, as well as additional solution provider or partner references, and answers were vetted by CRN's editorial research team. Here are other criteria that were considered:

1. In established markets/product categories, the vendor could not be a dominant market-share player.

2. Generally speaking, privately held companies were considered.

3. The vendor had to be actively recruiting VARs, systems integrators, resellers, system builders or managed service providers and have established formal guidelines for doing so.

4. The company had to demonstrate that its direct-sales mix was trending down, as evidenced by the company's revenue history.

5. The vendor's internal sales-compensation strategy had to be channel-positive or channel-neutral.

The final selection was made at the discretion of the CRN editorial team after a review of the submitted information and conversations with current or targeted partners.

If you're a VAR and would like to suggest a company for the Emerging Vendors database, please e-mail CRN Industry Editor Craig Zarley at czarley@cmp.com.