And The Award Goes To ... Fast Growth Gala

CRN Fast Growth awards were presented Sept. 18 in front of a packed ballroom at the Marriott Marquis in New York. These awards honor solution providers that during the past two years have experienced tremendous growth and revenue increases in a number of categories. The winners came from every segment of the VAR universe: large and small, government to health care, storage to security. Vice President and Editorial Director Robert DeMarzo and Senior Editor Jennifer Bosavage presented the awards.

The top CRN Fast Growth company for the second consecutive year was Groupware Technology, a $58.9 million VAR that saw revenue grow an astronomical 3,192 percent. This award recognizes the largest percentage increase among the Fast Growth companies, and was presented to Mike Thompson, president and CEO. The company also won for Top Revenue Generator (by percentage growth) among solution providers in the $50 to $150 million range.

The Top Revenue Generator in the less than $50 million range was Iteration2, No. 5 on the overall list, with 567 percent revenue growth.

The winner in the $150 million to $250 million range was enterprise storage solutions provider VeriStor. COO Jim Glueckert accepted the award.

In the $250 million-plus category, Presidio, No.13, took the honors. Presidio's growth has increased by 286 percent, reaching $695 million. Divisional co-president Robert Murphy accepted the award.

The largest CRN Fast Growth company has hit the billion-dollar mark, with $1.4 billion in revenue. To keep up with its 143 percent pace of growth, Cognizant hires an average of 10 people daily, which equates to 15,000 new employees annually.

CRN recognized other solution providers for their innovative solutions. In the Wireless Communications category, Axispoint, No. 18, was honored for its implementation of a wireless project for the entire Mount Vernon, N.Y., school district.

Sword and Shield was honored for Innovative Management Strategy. The company has made a name for itself in network security services, providing its expertise not only in the U.S, but also in areas as diverse as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

In technology practices, Storage winner Carahsoft, with 2,548 percent growth, has made a significant, long-term investment in its dedicated, government-focused sales divisions. In Security, NWN, with growth of 2,282 percent between 2004 and 2006, came out on top. Incentra, No. 4, was awarded the Software honor. Single Path, with 315 percent growth, received the Convergence award.