Datalink Earns CRN Tech Elite 250 Status for 5th Consecutive Year

5/31/2016

Recognized for Advanced Technical Certifications That Ensure Expertise in Newest Technologies
Datalink (NASDAQ: DTLK) announced today that it has been named to the 2016 edition of the CRN Tech Elite 250, marking its appearance on the list every year since its inception in 2011. The list compiled by CRN and The Channel Company recognizes North American IT solution providers that have earned the highest number of advanced technical certifications from leading technology vendors, equipping them to deliver the newest IT solutions and services.

Datalink utilizes these certifications as core building blocks in the technology solutions it develops to help clients drive business benefits ranging from cost management and operational efficiency improvements to risk mitigation, enhanced security and improved user experiences. The company has achieved and maintained 1,000+ advanced certifications from Cisco, NetApp, VMware, Pure Storage, Veritas, Hitachi Data Systems and other partners to support its extensive IT transformation services portfolio.

Notable new 2016 certifications include Cisco Master Service Provider, which recognizes Datalink’s elite level of expertise in selling and delivering Cisco-based cloud and managed services, and the Cisco Master Security specialization, which indicates that Datalink has fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support sophisticated Cisco network security solutions. These certification programs put Datalink in an elite class of Cisco channel partners who have invested in the most in-depth technology skills and have demonstrated success in providing services for Cisco’s value-added security solutions.

“Over the past few years, we have pursued the highest level of certifications to ensure our ability to architect and deploy the complex IT transformation solutions required to help our clients align IT with their strategic business objectives. As a result, we hold several certifications that have been achieved by only a handful of other service providers,” said Datalink President and CEO Paul Lidsky. “This recognition from CRN is a direct result of our continued investment in the training of our consulting and managed services teams as well as our field engineering organization. Working together, these teams can apply next-generation technologies along with Datalink services to achieve targeted business outcomes for our clients.”

“The solution providers selected for our annual Tech Elite 250 list have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and gained strong industry credibility by earning some of the most difficult IT certifications available from top technology vendors,” said Robert Faletra, CEO, The Channel Company. “Attainment of these exclusive certifications strengthens the channel as a whole by invigorating partnerships and enabling the delivery of exceptional customer service. We congratulate each of these organizations and look forward to their continued success.”

Datalink’s appearance on the 2016 Tech Elite 250 list also qualifies the company for consideration for the third annual CRN Triple Crown Award, which requires that honorees place on CRN’s Solution Provider 500, Fast Growth 150 and Tech Elite 250 lists in the same calendar year. Datalink was one of only 25 Triple Crown winners when the list debuted in 2014 and one of just 57 in 2015.

Coverage of the Tech Elite 250 is featured in the April issue of CRN, and online at www.crn.com.

 

About Datalink
Datalink is a complete IT services provider that helps companies transform their technology, operations, and service delivery to meet business challenges. Combining extensive experience, a full lifecycle of services and a comprehensive approach to producing IT innovations that empower positive business outcomes, Datalink delivers success across cloud IT transformation, next generation technology, and security. For more information, call 800.448.6314 or visit www.datalink.com.

About the Channel Company
The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

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Source: Datalink

Datalink Contact:
Jill Schmidt PR
Jim Capalbo, 847.904.2198
jim@jillschmidtpr.com
or
The Channel Company Contact:
Melanie Turpin, (508) 416-1195
mturpin@thechannelco.com