Products Of The Year 2025: The Finalists

CRN staff compiled the top partner-friendly products that launched or were significantly updated over the last year. Now it’s up to solution providers to choose the winners.


Products Of The Year

The CRN annual Products of the Year awards recognize the leading partner-friendly products, launched or significantly updated over the last year, as selected by the solution providers who bring these products to customers.

The finalists, 190 products spanning 32 technology categories, were selected by the CRN staff. Those products have gone into a survey of solution providers who are judging the products according to technology, revenue and profit, and customer need criteria.

The Product of the Year winners will be announced on CRN.com on Dec. 1.

Click ahead for a look at the finalists in each category.

Jump to a category:

Application Performance and Observability

As more applications run in hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud environments, maintaining application performance has becoming a more complex task. Application performance management and observability tools help IT organizations maintain the health, performance and user experience of business applications, according to market researcher Gartner. Such tools are used by IT operations managers, site reliability engineers, cloud and platform teams, application developers and software product owners.

Datadog Observability Platform

Dynatrace

HPE OpsRamp

IBM Instana Observability

LogicMonitor Envision

New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform

Splunk Observability Cloud

Artificial Intelligence: AI PCs

Everyday information workers and consumers are adopting the rapidly growing number of AI applications, copilots and other AI-driven software to improve their productivity and creativity. That’s fueling demand for personal computers with specialized processors, hardware and software to handle AI tasks.

In August market researcher Gartner forecast that AI PC shipments will total 77.8 million units this year, representing 31 percent of the global PC market in 2025 and 54.7 percent of the total PC market in 2026.

Acer Swift X 14 AI

Dell Pro Max 18 Plus

HP ZBook Fury G1i

Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 6

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5G

Artificial Intelligence: Infrastructure

Building, training, deploying and running AI systems, including applications and AI agents, takes a lot of compute horsepower and the ability to process huge amounts of data. That’s fueling a wave of data center construction around the world and boosting demand for powerful AI hardware in data centers and the cloud. Systems that support AI initiatives are expected to provide high levels of performance and scalability.

Cisco UCS C845A M8 Rack Server

Dell PowerEdge XE9685L Rack Server

HPE ProLiant Compute DL345 Gen12

Lenovo ThinkSystem SC750 V4 Neptune Server

Supermicro DLC-2 4U

Artificial Intelligence: Software

IT vendors are developing AI software, including generative AI, development platforms, applications, agents, productivity suites and more, at an accelerating pace. Businesses are rapidly adopting AI software and AI cloud services to automate enterprise workflows. ABI Research forecasts that the global AI software market will reach $174.1 billion this year and grow at a CAGR of 25 percent to $467 billion by 2023.

Amazon Web Services Bedrock

Cisco AI Canvas

Google Gemini

HPE Juniper Mist

HPE Private Cloud AI

IBM Watsonx.ai

Microsoft Copilot

ServiceNow AI Agent Orchestrator

Big Data

Data volumes continue to explode and the global “datasphere” – the total amount of data created, captured, replicated and consumed – is growing exponentially. While operational systems and business analytics have been the traditional consumers of all this data, the growing number of AI systems, including applications and agents, are also boosting the demand for data.

Managing increasingly larger volumes data, however, is a major challenge for businesses and that’s fueling demand for a range of big data platforms and tools to help businesses access, collect, manage, move, transform, govern and secure data.

Amazon EMR

Cloudera Data Platform

Databricks Data Intelligence Platform

HPE Data Fabric

Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform

Oracle Database

Snowflake AI Data Cloud

Business Applications

Business applications, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and financial management software, are the operational backbone for many businesses and organizations. ERP applications are the tools they use to automate and manage their business processes including accounting and finance, HR, supply chain and procurement, manufacturing, and more.

Epicor ERP

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Oracle NetSuite

Sage ERP/Sage Intacct

Salesforce

SAP S/4HANA

Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

Many businesses and organizations are deriving huge value and competitive advantages from data generated by their own IT systems, collected through customer transactions and acquired from outside sources.

Businesses can analyze data to gain insights about markets, their customers and their own operations. They are using the data to fuel digital transformation initiatives. They are even using it to support new data-intensive services or packaging it into data products.

Amazon Redshift

Domo

Google Cloud BigQuery

IBM Watsonx BI

Microsoft Power BI

Qlik Sense

Strategy One (formerly MicroStrategy One)

ThoughtSpot Agentic Analytics Platform

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Desktop as a Service

Desktop as a Service provides virtual desktops through the internet, allowing users to access their personalized desktops, applications and data using any device. DaaS advantages include simplified management and reduced hardware costs. The global DaaS market is expected to be $196.2 billion this year, growing to $254 billion in 2026.

Amazon Workspaces

Citrix DaaS

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop

Omnissa Horizon

Edge Computing and Internet of Things

Efforts to bring applications, AI and data processing closer to data sources, and so reduce system latency and lower bandwidth usage, is driving the proliferation of local edge servers and IoT devices.

The global market for edge computing hardware, software and services reached $23.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33 percent to $327.8 billion by 2033, according to Grand View Research.

Aeris IoT Watchtower

Dell PowerEdge

Digi International Digi X-ON

HPE ProLiant Compute DL145 Gen 11

Supermicro SYS-112D

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Enterprise IT Management

As IT estates become increasingly distributed across on-premises, hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud environments, managing IT assets—including compute, software, storage and network systems—becomes increasingly complex. A new generation of enterprise IT management systems provides IT teams with a central point for managing IT assets, services and processes, monitoring system performance, and automating tasks such as software deployment and user provisioning.

Cisco Thousand Eyes

Dell OpenManage

Flexera One

HP Workforce Experience Platform

HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software

IBM Turbonomic

Microsoft Intune

Red Hat Ansible

Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure

Hybrid cloud infrastructure combines public and private cloud-based (often Infrastructure-as-a-Service) resources with on-premises IT systems, working together and sharing applications and data to provide businesses with the flexibility and scalability they need to support distributed business workloads and processes. A report from Mordor Intelligence says the global hybrid cloud market will reach $172.8 billion this year and grow at a CAGR of 12.5 percent to $311.8 billion by 2030.

Broadcom VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0

Dell Apex Hybrid Cloud

HPE GreenLake

Nutanix Cloud Platform

Red Hat OpenShift

Scale Computing Platform

MSP Platforms

Managed services are one of the fastest-growing segments of the IT channel as businesses, organizations and government entities increasingly rely on MSPs to provide IT services and manage their IT infrastructure and end-user systems. This trend is boosting demand for MSP platforms, including the remote monitoring and management tools, professional services automation systems and other tools that MSPs rely on to do their jobs.

Acronis RMM

Atera IT Autopilot

ConnectWise Asio

HaloPSA

Kaseya 365

N-able N-central

NinjaOne

Rewst

Syncro XMM Platform

Networking – Enterprise

Networks are what connect all components of an IT environment and networking products, including routers, switches, hubs and bridges, have long been a mainstay of the channel. Today channel companies offer networking products and services that span data centers and cloud networks, campus LAN and WAN, Network-as-a-Service, and network management and automation software.

Cisco C9350/C9619 Smart Switches

Cisco Secure Routers (8100, 8200, 8300, 8400 and 8500)

Extreme Networks Extreme Platform ONE

Extreme Platform ONE Security (previously known as Extreme Cloud Universal ZTNA)

F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)

HPE Aruba Networking CX 10040

Meter Enterprise Networking Solution

Power Protection and Management

Power protection and management systems and appliances are a critical component for protecting critical IT infrastructure and keeping data centers up and running in the event of extreme events. The product category includes technology for monitoring and managing power usage, protecting IT systems against electricity surges, and providing backup in the event of power failures.

Eaton 9PX Gen2

Schneider Electric NetShelter Rack PDU Advanced

Vertiv PowerUPS 9000

Processors – CPUs

CPU semiconductors are the processing engines that power servers, laptops, desktop PCs, and mobile devices. Intel was long dominant in the CPU space, but rival AMD, along with Qualcomm and other chip designers, have developed highly competitive products in recent years.

AMD Epyc 9005 Series

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9000 WX-Series

Intel Core Ultra 200V Series

Intel Xeon 6 with P-cores

Qualcomm Snapdragon X

Processors – GPUs

Graphics processing units or GPUs are specialized processors originally developed to accelerate the performance of computer graphics. But they are increasingly being designed into IT systems for high-performance computing tasks such as data science and AI applications. Nvidia has been a pioneer in developing GPUs for a broad range of applications, but rivals Intel and AMD have been expanding their GPU product portfolios.

AMD Instinct MI355X

AMD Radeon AI Pro R9700

Intel ARC B580

Nvidia B300/GB300

Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Server Edition

Cloud Computing Backup Cyber Security Fingerprint Identity Encryption Technology

Public Cloud Platforms

Public cloud platforms have become a key component of many organizations’ IT estates, either as an extension or adjunct of their on-premises data centers for application hosting, data storage and other IT processes. The value proposition is that cloud services reduce capital spending for businesses and provide more flexibility by allowing them to scale IT usage up or down as needed.

Public cloud operators also offer their own portfolios of cloud products such as databases and data analytics tools. And with their online marketplaces, public cloud operators are increasingly serving as a venue for IT vendors and solution providers to sell their offerings.

Amazon Web Services Cloud

Google Cloud Platform

IBM Cloud

Microsoft Azure

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

OVHcloud Public Cloud

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Security – AI

As far as security goes, artificial intelligence is a two-edged sword. There’s no doubt that the addition of AI capabilities is making today’s security technology smarter. But the proliferation of AI applications, agents and other systems is creating new threat vectors that bad actors can exploit. And attackers themselves are increasingly using AI to improve the effectiveness of their attacks. Leading security vendors, meanwhile, are developing tools to help organizations improve their AI security posture.

Cisco AI Defense

CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security AI-SPM

Cyera AI Guardian

Orca Security AI-SPM

Palo Alto Networks Prisma AIRs

Wiz AI-SPM

Zscaler AI Guard

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Security – Cloud and Application Security

The rapid growth of cloud computing has created new security challenges for businesses and organizations as they adopt and utilize distributed IT infrastructure and applications that lie both within and outside of the corporate firewall. Cloud and application security technologies provide a range of capabilities including protection against internal and external threats, identity and access control, and network visibility and management.

CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security

Orca Cloud Security Platform

Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud

SentinelOne Singularity Cloud Security

Snyk AI Trust Platform

Security – Data

The media is filled with headlines of businesses, hospitals, insurance companies, government entities and other organizations who find themselves blocked from accessing their own critical data or discover that their data has been stolen and put up for sale on the Dark Web. So it’s not surprising, then, that protecting data has become a top priority for IT and security teams.

Data security tools provide a range of functions to accomplish their task including data encryption, user authentication and controlling access to data, monitoring data in real time to detect and respond to unusual activity, manage compliance with data governance requirements, and more.

Cyera Data Security

IBM Guardium Data Protection

Proofpoint Unified Data Security Protection

Rubrik Security Cloud

Wiz DSPM

Zscaler Data Protection

Businessman sending email by laptop computer to customer, business contact and communication, email icon, email marketing concept, send e-mail or newsletter, online working internet network.

Security – Email and Web Security

Email and other internet communications are perhaps the most common vector for cybersecurity attacks including spam, phishing, malware delivery and system takeover.

Email security products, including antivirus/antimalware tools, spam filters, authentication and encryption systems, are a key component of a business’s overall IT security strategy. Web security tools help prevent attacks against websites.

Abnormal AI Cloud Email Security

Barracuda Email Protection

Cloudflare Application Security

Inky Behavioral Email Security Platform

Mimecast Advanced Email Security

Proofpoint Prime Threat Protection

Security – Endpoint Protection

Businesses can be most vulnerable through the endpoint devices (desktop PCs, laptops, smartphones) employees use for everyday work, along with embedded devices, IoT and other edge computing systems. This is especially true with today’s post-pandemic hybrid work practices where many of these devices now sit outside of corporate security perimeters.

Products in this technology category include antivirus and antimalware tools, endpoint protection platforms, and endpoint detection/response and extended detection/response software.

CrowdStrike Falcon Platform

ESET Protect

Huntress Managed EDR

SentinelOne Singularity Platform

Sophos XDR

ThreatLocker Protect

Security – Identity and Access Management

Businesses use identity and access management tools, backed by related policies and processes, to manage digital identities and control access to corporate IT systems and data. IAM tools, a foundational cybersecurity technology for zero trust IT initiatives, are key to identifying, authenticating and authorizing users – including employees and trusted business partners – while protecting against unauthorized access.

CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen Identity

CyberArk Identity Security Platform

Microsoft Entra ID

Okta Platform

Ping Identity Platform

SailPoint Identity Security Cloud

Security – Managed Detection and Response

Many businesses and organizations, especially SMBs, lack in-house cybersecurity expertise. Many turn to managed detection and response (MDR) providers for outsourced services that monitor clients’ IT systems, endpoints, networks and cloud environments on a 24/7 basis and respond to detected cyberthreats. MDR offerings generally combine cybersecurity teams, advanced threat detection tools and security operations center functions.

Arctic Wolf MDR

CrowdStrike Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR

OpenText MDR

Red Canary MDR

Sophos MDR

ThreatLocker Cyber Hero MDR

Financial Concept

Security – Network

Keeping network infrastructure secure is a major challenge for businesses and organizations. Potential threats include distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, network-based ransomware, insider threats and password attacks, to name just a few. Securing corporate networks has become even harder with the move to remote work and the increasing use of cloud applications.

The specific technology components of a sound network security strategy include firewalls, SASE (secure access service edge) systems, network access control technology, antivirus and antimalware software, intrusion prevention systems, and tools for cloud, application and email security.

Cisco Hypershield

Fortinet FortiGate

Juniper Secure AI-Native Edge Solution

SonicWall Generation 8 Firewalls

Sophos XGS Series Firewalls

WatchGuard ThreatSync+ NDR

Security – Security Access Service Edge

Security Access Service Edge platforms combine network and security services into a single cloud-based system – a critical concept for managing today’s multi-cloud environments and hybrid workforces. SASE can include multiple functions including zero-trust network access, secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers and firewall services to provide centralized control over identity and access policies and operations.

Cato SASE Cloud Platform

Cisco SASE

Fortinet FortiSASE

HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect

Netskope One SASE

Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE

Zscaler Zero Trust SASE

Cloud Computing Data Center Multi Cloud Hybrid Cloud Information Storage Cyber Security Encryption Edge Computing Data Lake

Security – Security Operations Platform/SIEM

Security Operations systems link security and IT operations teams to improve an organization’s cybersecurity posture across IT systems, networks and applications. SecOps software incorporates tools and processes to provide a unified approach to cybersecurity to help identify security threats and vulnerabilities, reduce risks and respond more quickly to security incidents.

The expansion of multi-cloud networks and IoT-based infrastructure is a key driver for SecOps adoption. The Global security operations software market was valued at $28.1 billion in 2024, according to Global Growth Insights, and is forecast to reach $31.4 billion this year.

Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform

CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM

Exabeam New-Scale Fusion

Huntress Managed SIEM

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSIAM 3.0

Splunk Enterprise Security

Cloud or edge computing technology concept that supports the storage of large databases from around the world. Data security system. polygons white cloud icon on dark green background.

Storage – Cloud-Focused

Businesses and organizations are increasingly turning to the cloud to store their data with its benefits of scalability and pay-as-you-go pricing, as opposed to purchasing storage hardware. Cloud storage is also seen as improving data access and file sharing.

Cloud storage is now believed to hold the majority of global data—approximately 60 percent of all corporate data is now cloud-stored. The global market for cloud data storage is expected to be $145.2 billion this year, according to Mordor Intelligence, and grow to $425.8 billion by 2030.

Hitachi Vantara Virtual Storage Platform One

NetApp Ontap

Pure Storage Enterprise Data Cloud

Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage

Server. Server racks in server room cloud data center. Datacenter hardware cluster. Backup, hosting, mainframe, mining, farm and computer rack with storage information. 3d illustration

Storage: Data Protection, Management and Resiliency

Data is the lifeblood of the modern enterprise. Data that’s lost or unavailable, either due to system failure, a disastrous event like a fire or earthquake, human error or a cyberattack, can cause major disruptions.

Data resilience and protection systems and services help businesses protect and maintain access to data, and identify, detect, respond to and recover from data-destructive events.

Arctera Insight Platform

Cohesity NetBackup

Commvault Cloud Platform

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain DD6410

HPE Zerto Software

HYCU Data Resiliency Cloud

Komprise Elastic Data Migration

Quantum DXi T-10-480

Veeam Data Cloud

Storage – Enterprise

Data volumes continue to explode and the global “datasphere” – the total amount of data created, captured, replicated and consumed – reached 149 zettabytes in 2024 and is expected to grow to 181 zettabytes this year, according to market researcher Statista.

That data, of course, must be stored somewhere. While more data is being stored on cloud platforms, many businesses and organizations maintain on-premises data storage systems – either standalone or as part of a hybrid system – for a number of reasons including data security and governance and reduced internet costs.

DDN Infinia

Dell ObjectScale

Graid Technology SupremeRAID

HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000

NetApp AFF A-Series/C-Series

Pliops XDO LightningAI

Pure Storage FlashArray/FlashBlade

Unified Communications and Collaboration

Unified communications (including Unified Communications as a Service) integrates VoIP, instant messaging, video conferencing and other communication capabilities through a single interface. UCC has taken on increased importance with more employees working from home and other remote locations.

UCC is a long-time channel mainstay with solution providers implementing, maintaining and operating UCC systems. The global UCC market is expected to reach $$73.4 billion this year, according to Fortune Business Insights.

Cisco Webex AI Agent

Five9 Agentic CX

Intermedia AI Agent Assist

Intermedia Contact Center for Microsoft Teams

NiCE CXone Mpower

RingCentral AI Receptionist (AIR)

Talkdesk AI Agents for Voice

Abstract technology background, big data digital line wave business concept

Virtualization

Virtualization technology helps IT departments maximize hardware use by creating virtual versions of physical computing resources including servers, storage devices and networks.

The virtualization market has undergone significant changes in recent years, but it remains a key technology area for the channel. Verified Market Research says the global server virtualization market alone reached $79 billion in 2024 and projected it would reach $118.5 billion by 2032.

VMware vSphere Foundation 9.0

HPE VM Essentials

Microsoft Hyper-V

Proxmox Virtual Environment 9.0