The 2025 Tech Innovator Awards
For the 2025 CRN Tech Innovator Awards, CRN staff evaluated and selected product finalists and winners across a broad range of IT categories including AI software and infrastructure, data and information management, enterprise and wireless networking, and multiple cybersecurity categories.
Tech Innovators 2025
Innovation, always a hallmark of the IT industry, has reached a new high in the last several years with the advent of artificial intelligence technology. We have witnessed a surge of development of new AI-based applications and agentic AI software and the addition of AI capabilities to existing IT products and systems, including PCs, ERP and CRM applications, data management software and cybersecurity tools.
This wave of innovation is spread across the industry, from established IT giants to startups with breakthrough product ideas. IT vendors are rushing to develop new products and adapt their current product portfolios in the face of the AI tsunami, either to reap the advantages of adding AI capabilities or upgrade them to meet the new demands of AI systems.
So which new and updated products are creating opportunities for solution providers who work with customers as they navigate this new AI-driven market?
To help solution providers identify products that are truly innovative and offer real value for their customers, the 2025 CRN Tech Innovator Awards showcase IT products that provide significant advances in IT—and partner growth opportunities—across a broad range of technologies. The winners and finalists in the following slides were chosen by CRN staff across 33 technology categories.
Descriptions of the winning products, provided by IT vendors, have been lightly edited for space and clarity.
AI Infrastructure
Winner: DDN Infinia
The DDN Infinia next-generation AI data intelligence platform accelerates and unifies data pipelines across core, cloud and edge environments. Purpose-built for modern AI workloads, Infinia delivers real-time data services, intelligent automation and seamless data unification, maximizing efficiency and accelerating insight. Fully cloud-native, hardware-agnostic and scalable, Infinia aims to empower enterprises to unlock the full potential of their AI infrastructure.
Finalists:
Cerio Accelerated Computing Platform
Phison aiDAPTIV+
AI PCs
Winner: HP EliteBook Ultra G1i
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i is a 14-inch, ultra-slim premium AI business notebook designed for modern leaders and executives. Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors with up to 48 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) of NPU performance, it aims to accelerate productivity, enhance collaboration and streamline demanding workloads using local AI capabilities. HP Wolf Security ensures enterprise-grade protection.
Finalist:
Acer Chromebook
AI Software
Winner: Snowflake Cortex AI
Snowflake Cortex AI is Snowflake's fully managed suite of AI services, offering access to best-in-class LLMs like Anthropic, Meta, Mistral, OpenAI and more, to democratize advanced analytics. It provides LLM functions such as text summarization, translation and sentiment analysis for tasks such as synthetic data generation, alongside ML functions for forecasting, anomaly detection and classification.
Finalists:
CrowdStrike Charlotte AI
Red Hat OpenShift AI
SentinelOne Purple AI Community Verdict & Purple AI Similarity Analysis
Application Development and DevOps
Winner: JFrog ML
JFrog ML is an MLOps offering integrated into the JFrog Platform, designed to streamline the development, deployment and security of AI-powered applications and help overcome the challenges of AI model governance, deployment and collaboration. It unifies machine learning practices with traditional DevSecOps processes, providing a holistic view of the software supply chain.
Finalists:
GitLab Duo Enterprise
Harness Internal Developer Portal
OutSystems Mentor
Application Performance/Observability
Winner: Netscout Remote InfiniStreamNG and nGenius Edge Sensor
Remote InfiniStreamNG and nGenius Edge Sensor extend packet-level visibility to the most remote edges of the business, helping IT dramatically improve troubleshooting times and reduce mean time to repair. It provides comprehensive visibility, combining synthetic testing with Netscout’s patented Adaptive Service Intelligence Smart Data technology and deep packet inspection at scale.
Finalists:
Catchpoint Internet Performance Monitoring
LogicMonitor Envision
The New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform
Cloud Tools/Management
Winner: Dynatrace Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
Dynatrace CSPM is a full-featured security system designed for enterprises that manage complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments. CSPM extends Dynatrace’s Kubernetes Security Posture Management capabilities to manage enterprises’ entire cloud security posture through a unified platform. Powered by the Dynatrace Davis AI Engine and Dynatrace Grail data lakehouse, CSPM aggregates and contextualizes security and observability data.
Finalists:
Exclaimer
Parallel Works ACTIVATE
Data and Information Management
Winner: Dell AI Data Platform
The Dell AI Data Platform is designed to handle data placement, processing and protection. It supports structured, semi-structured and unstructured data, enabling scalability and flexibility for AI, analytics and generative AI workloads. It integrates with the Dell AI Factory to support the entire AI development life cycle, from preparing data to running advanced AI models.
Finalists:
Airbyte 1.0 Self-Managed Enterprise
Cribl Copilot
EDB Postgres AI
VirtualZ Computing PropelZ
Data Protection, Management and Resiliency
Winner: Commvault Cloud
The Commvault Cloud platform is redefining cyber resilience with AI-powered data protection, proactive data defense, advanced ransomware protection and a single view across everything. Commvault Cloud empowers customers to protect, test and rapidly recover their data, applications and production workloads—whether on-premises, across public, private and hybrid clouds, over SaaS or in multi-cloud environments.
Finalists:
Cohesity NetBackup 11.0
Rubrik Turbo Threat Hunting
Edge Computing/Internet of Things
Winner: Asimily
Asimily has significantly upgraded its platform with the 2025 release of IoT Patching, completely automating IoT firmware update management. Designed for solution providers to deploy into organizations with diverse IoT device ecosystems, the platform centralizes and standardizes the otherwise complex process of implementing critical security updates across heterogeneous IoT device fleets.
Finalists:
KORE OmniSIM
StorMagic SvHCIv1.3
Zebra Kiosk System
Enterprise IT Management
Winner: HP Workforce Experience Platform
The HP Workforce Experience Platform is an AI-powered, enterprise offering aimed at boosting employee productivity by reducing digital friction and empowering IT teams to resolve issues proactively with predictability. It gathers and analyzes billions of near-real-time datapoints from devices and applications to intelligently anticipate problems and identify potential workflow disruptions.
Finalists:
Jamf Pro Blueprints
NetBrain Next-Gen 12
ThreatLocker Patch Management
Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure
Winner: Rackspace OpenStack Flex
Rackspace OpenStack Flex is designed to simplify deployments, reduce complexity and foster collaboration across development, infrastructure and security teams. It combines Kubernetes and OpenStack to deliver streamlined cloud infrastructure management with minimal operational overhead. By uniting traditionally siloed platforms under a single application workflow, Rackspace OpenStack Flex empowers organizations to innovate faster without sacrificing performance or security.
IT Automation/RPA
Winner: Rewst
The Rewst automation platform is purpose-built for MSPs, with native multi-tenant support and integrations with 70-plus widely used MSP tools, including Acronis, HaloPSA, Microsoft, N-able, Nerdio, NinjaOne, Pax8 and SentinelOne. MSPs can orchestrate actions to automate everything from basic tasks to end-to-end processes including new user on-boarding, billing reporting, Microsoft 365 management, password resets and more.
Finalists:
NinjaOne Patch Intelligence AI
Tines
MSP RMM Platforms
Winner: Acronis RMM
Acronis RMM is a remote monitoring and management system designed for mature and emerging MSPs as part of the Acronis Cyber Platform, accelerating security-first MSP 3.0 transformation with platform integration and AI-powered automation. It natively integrates RMM with XDR, backup and disaster recovery, and PSA in a unified cloud console and agent, providing unique synergies and efficiencies.
Finalists:
Guardz AI-Powered Unified Detection & Response Platform
LastPass MSP Admin Console
Multifunction Printers
Winner: Xerox PrimeLink C9200 Series
The Xerox PrimeLink C9200 packs high-end production power into a compact, cost-effective footprint. Built for versatility, it handles everything from envelopes to 12 x 18-inch textured stocks and 51-inch banners—including media up to 400 grams per square meter. The printer offers speeds up to 81 ppm, ultra-sharp 2400 x 2400-dpi resolution and a fully redesigned imaging system.
Finalist:
Epson Workforce Enterprise AM-C550 A4 Color MFP
Networking: Enterprise
Winner: Meter Cellular
Meter Cellular is an innovative product that delivers high-quality cell coverage at a fraction of the cost and install time than some other existing technologies. It’s a Neutral Host CBRS system that brings seamless, carrier-grade coverage to buildings with spotty coverage, underground settings,or remote areas. Meter Cellular partners with major carriers to broadcast their signal through its Cellular Access Points.
Finalists:
ANA, Ericsson’s generative AI-based NetCloud Assistant
Gluware Intelligent Automation Platform 5.4
Networking: SMB
Winner: Auvik Network Management
Auvik Network Management provides IT and MSP leaders with real-time network visibility, actionable insight, customizable alerts, automated record-keeping and more, boosting network efficiency and security. New capabilities and features added to Auvik Network Management include Northstar, a troubleshooting tool based on network path visualization and an updated alerting engine, and Endpoint Network Monitoring, which extends network visibility to the endpoint.
Finalist:
Zyxel CX4800-56F 48-port 10G/25G L3 Aggregation Fiber Switch with 8 100G Uplinks
Networking: Wireless
Winner: Ericsson Enterprise 5G Coverage
Ericsson Enterprise 5G Coverage, which includes the Ericsson Radio Dot System, delivers a high-performance neutral host network that extends cellular coverage and capacity in buildings. It supports multiple frequency bands, is certified by all three major U.S. operators, and supports these carriers through one system and universal radios. It is ideal for office buildings, hospitals, campuses and other large indoor areas.
Finalists:
RYTHMz
Zyxel WBE630S BE12300 WiFi 7 Tri-Band Dual-Radio NebulaFlex Pro Access Point
Power Protection and Management
Winner: CyberPower PFC Sinewave 1U Rackmount UPS Series
The PFC Sinewave 1U Rackmount UPS series provides battery backup (using sine wave output), surge protection, and EMI/RFI filtration for security systems, audio/visual equipment, and networking equipment requiring active PFC power source compatibility. This series features Automatic Voltage Regulation, which corrects minor power fluctuations without switching to battery power, and a multifunction control panel with a color LCD.
Finalist:
Eaton Tripp Lite Cloud-Connected Uninterruptable Power Supply
Security: Cloud and Application Security
Winner: CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security
CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security is a unified Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) that secures the entire cloud estate across infrastructure, custom applications, data, identities, SaaS applications and AI workloads. It empowers security and DevOps teams to stop breaches in hybrid and multi-cloud environments and consolidates disparate tools into a single system that protects the full application life cycle while delivering comprehensive visibility, real-time threat prevention and automated remediation.
Finalists:
Cavelo CIS Benchmark Misconfiguration Capabilities for Microsoft Office 365
Commvault Cloud
Orca Cloud Security Platform (CNAPP)
Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud
Tenable Cloud Security
Security: Data Security
Winner: Sentra Data Security Platform
Sentra’s cloud-native Data Security Platform empowers enterprise security teams to automatically classify sensitive data, assess risk and remediate threats across multiple cloud, SaaS and on-premises environments. As organizations manage increasing volumes of data across hybrid environments, Sentra provides critical visibility and automation to streamline compliance and enhance security posture.
Finalists:
Fortinet FortiDLP
Halcyon Data Exfiltration Protection
MIND
Security: Email and Web Security
Winner: Abnormal AI Security Mailbox
AI Security Mailbox provides an AI coworker for email security operations, addressing two critical market needs. It automates the user-reported phishing emails workflow—a process that is highly manual and time-consuming for security teams—and it reimagines security awareness through AI, engaging employees in immediate and personalized education around reported emails.
Finalists:
Barracuda Email Protection
INKY Generative AI
Mailprotector Shield
Security: Endpoint Protection/Extended Detection and Response
Winner: ESET Protect Elite
ESET Protect Elite is a next-gen endpoint offering for businesses and solution providers that require enterprise-grade XDR and all-in-one prevention, detection and response. Leveraging 30 years of cutting-edge threat identification and incident response, ESET Protect Elite defends against ransomware and zero days by pairing human expertise with proprietary cloud-based sandboxing to provide a powerful, isolated test environment.
Finalists:
Arctic Wolf Aurora Endpoint Security
Barracuda Managed XDR
Trellix Endpoint Detection and Response with Forensics (EDRF)
XCitium’s ZeroDwell Technology
Security: Identity and Access Management
Winner: 1Password Extended Access Management
With 1Password’s Extended Access Management platform, businesses can close the access-trust gap (the security risks posed by unfederated identities, unmanaged devices, applications and AI-powered tools accessing company data without proper governance controls) by securing every sign-in, device, and application—even unmanaged apps and devices that are difficult to secure with legacy identity access management and mobile device management tools.
Finalists:
CrowdStrike Falcon Identity Protection
CyberArk Identity Security Platform’s CORA AI Integration
Keeper Security KeeperPAM
Oasis NHI Security Cloud
Security: Managed Detection and Response
Winner: Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response
As one of the core modules on the Aurora Platform, Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response helps organizations tackle challenges by providing broad visibility, 24x7 monitoring and advanced threat detection—all delivered as an outsourced and fully managed solution. It optimizes existing security tools for better prevention and leverages the Aurora Platform for storage, enrichment and data analysis.
Finalists:
CrowdStrike Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR
eSentire Atlas
Expel Managed Detection and Response
Security: Network Security, Enterprise
Winner: Zscaler Private Access
Organizations need secure access to applications, but traditional VPNs pose security risks. Zscaler Private Access, a leading zero-trust system, secures access for modern apps. Zscaler Private Access now extends zero trust to legacy apps like VoIP and server-initiated flows, eliminating VPN gaps, enabling unified security and allowing businesses to improve security, reduce costs and enhance productivity with seamless access.
Finalists:
Armis Centrix for VIPR Pro Prioritization and Remediation
Aviatrix Kubernetes Firewall
FireMon Insights
Forescout eyeScope
Security: Network Security, SMB
Winner: Sophos Firewall OS v21 and new XGS Series Appliances
The new Sophos XGS firewall appliances are designed for businesses of all sizes, with different models offering excellent performance and connectivity at every price point to protect today's diverse, distributed, and encrypted networks.
Sophos XGS devices come with new Sophos Firewall software that supports third-party threat feeds and Let’s Encrypt certificate support—a top customer-requested capability.
Finalists:
Coro Complete
Zyxel USG Lite 60AX AX6000 WiFi 6 Security Router
Security: Security Operations Platform/SIEM
Winner: CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM
CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM reimagines security operations by delivering a cloud-native, petabyte-scale system that gives businesses unprecedented visibility across all users and data. It combines the CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity platform and third-party data with real-time threat intelligence, AI and automation to accelerate threat detection and response, and eliminates the complexity and cost issues of legacy SIEMs.
Finalists:
Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform
Huntress Managed Security and Information Event Management
Securonix Noise-Canceling SIEM
Zscaler Asset Exposure Management
Security: Secure Access Service Edge
Winner: Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE
Prisma SASE from Palo Alto Networks is a comprehensive SASE solution converging networking and security for the entire hybrid workforce. Prisma SASE secures users, apps, data and devices everywhere. It delivers best-in-class security, exceptional user experiences, and simplified operations through a unique multi-cloud architecture, single console, unified policies and AI copilot.
Finalists:
Cloudflare Quantum-Safe Zero Trust
Dope.security CASB Neural
Fortinet Unified SASE
Versa Sovereign SASE
Storage: Cloud
Winner: VirtualZ Computing Virtual Zaac
Zaac delivers instant, cloud-based storage for IBM Z environments, enabling mainframe applications to access cloud storage (e.g., AWS S3, Azure Blob, IBM Cloud Object Storage) as if it were native Direct Access Storage device (DASD) or tape. Designed for mission-critical workloads running on IBM Z, Zaac eliminates the need for costly physical storage, accelerates disaster recovery and simplifies hybrid cloud integration.
Finalists:
Backblaze B2 Live Read
Infinidat InfuzeOS, Cloud Edition Extended To Microsoft Azure
Storage: Enterprise
Winner: Infinidat InfiniBox SSA G4
Infinidat’s InfiniBox SSA G4 delivers comprehensive high-end enterprise capabilities, including 100 percent guaranteed availability, real-world application performance, comprehensive cyber resiliency and ease-of-use. It provides available capacity from 86 TBs to multi-petabytes, cyber resilience with InfiniSafe technology, transparent integration with data center-wide cyber security software, and data validation with InfiniSafe Cyber Detection.
Finalists:
Dell ObjectScale
Object First Ootbi
Quantum Scaler i7 Raptor
Unified Communications and Collaboration: Enterprise
Winner: Logitech Rally Board 65
Rally Board 65 is the ultimate all-in-one videoconferencing system that is designed for meeting rooms and open spaces, simplifying the way people meet and collaborate. The expansive 65-inch touch screen enables a seamless and intuitive collaboration experience in any environment. Designed for flexibility, Rally Board 65 works seamlessly with leading platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet.
Finalists:
Luware Nimbus Attendant Console 2.0
Owl Labs Meeting Owl 4+
HP Inc. Poly Studio V12 Video Bar
Unified Communications and Collaboration: SMB
Winner: Xtel Communications Flexpoint Teams for SMB
Flexpoint Teams for SMB is a voice provisioning and management platform that empowers MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade collaboration to small and midsize businesses. Featuring a single, intuitive interface, Flexpoint simplifies the deployment of Teams Voice (and other UC platforms) through automated provisioning, real-time analytics and multilayer security.
Finalists:
Intermedia Embedded Solution for Microsoft Teams
Talkdesk Express
Virtualization/Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Winner: Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization Engine
Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization manages and deploys virtualized workloads alongside containerized workloads on the same OpenShift platform. For those prioritizing virtualization, OpenShift Virtualization Engine, a new edition of OpenShift, provides a dedicated option focused entirely on virtualization workloads. It simplifies the process of deploying, managing and scaling virtual machines by removing non-virtualization capabilities they may not need.
Finalist:
Nerdio Manager for MSP (NMM), Version 5.0