On December 6, at the V Hotel in Habtoor City, GEC Media Group paid homage to our unsung heroes. Frontline workers are a key reason why the wheels of global economy are continuing to spin, despite the pandemic. These are the people who are making things happen, across industries and sectors.
GEC Media Group proudly honoured them and highlighted their contribution over an evening filled with awards and entertainment. This was also GEC’s first hybrid event, held in-person as well as streamed online and made available all over the world.
Currently in its 7th edition, the GEC Awards 2020 recognised over 42 regional technology channel players who have brought innovative solutions to the table and helped customers sail through this pandemic.
The compere was the evening was Karan. The event started with welcome notes by Ronak Samantaray, CEO, GEC Media Group; Anushree Dixit, Global Head Content and Strategic Alliance, GEC Media Group; and Arun Shankar, Editor, GEC Media Group. This gave way to the first set of awards, for Top Distributor.
And the winners were…
| AWARD CATEGORY | SUB CATEGORY | ORGANISATION |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Data Center Solutions | Malco Technologies |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Infrastructure | Ingram Micro |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Specialized Cyber Security Solutions | EMT Distribution |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Network Security | Spectrami |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Channel Enablement | VAD Technologies |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Daa Management | StorIT Distribution |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | PC & Compute | Asbis Middle East |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Cloud | Redington Value |
| TOP PARTNER | Workforce Reskilling | Spectrum Networks |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Unified Storage | Data care LLC |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Security | StarLink |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Enterprise Security | Spire Solutions |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | Network Optmization | SECURENET |
| TOP DISTRIBUTOR | VAD of the Year | Mindware |
The first set of awards were followed by an entertaining game of acting out the word, an inspiring video compilation highlighting the critical role frontline workers are playing, followed by an enthralling dance session.
Next up, was the second set of awards, given in the Top Reseller category. The winners were…
| TOP RESELLER | Security | RNS Technologies |
| TOP RESELLER | Digital Forensics | DIFOSE LLC |
| TOP SI | MANAGED SERVICES | MIDIS SI |
| TOP SI | IT Infrastructure | BITS Secure IT Infrastructure |
| Top BT Solution | Storage | Synology Inc. |
| Top Business Transformation Initiative | Healthcare | Zulekha Hospitals |
| Top Business Transformation Initiative | Green Data Center | Moro Hub |
The awards evening was interspersed with video compilations of frontline workers and the role they are playing in helping organisations survive this pandemic. CxOs from various organisations thanked them ardently, and highlighted the human, and humane, aspect of their contribution.
The third set of awards were in the Top Vendor category.
| TOP VENDOR | Networking | Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company |
| TOP VENDOR | Enterprise Solutions | Zebra Technologies |
| TOP VENDOR | Endpoint Security | Cybereason |
| TOP VENDOR | Email Security | Keepnet Labs LTD |
| TOP VENDOR | Flash Storage | Pure Storage |
| TOP VENDOR | Enterprise Communications | TalariaX Pte Ltd |
| TOP VENDOR | SD-WAN | Riverbed |
| TOP VENDOR | Data Management Solutions | Commvault |
| TOP VENDOR | DNS Security | Infoblox |
| TOP VENDOR | Hyper Converged Infrastructure | Nutanix |
| TOP VENDOR | Secure Identity Solutions | ARCON Techsolutions Pvt Ltd. |
| TOP VENDOR | Enterprise Solutions | Veeam Software |
| TOP VENDOR -AI | Multi-Cloud | Juniper Networks |
| TOP VENDOR | Hybrid Cloud | Netapp |
| TOP VENDOR | Cyber Security | SonicWall |
The break after these awards was literally full of laugher. The compere called on stage four participants who had to mimic the laugher of a character from a popular Bollywood film. This gave way to dancers from the USA, which also happened to be the last dance of the evening. The awards concluded with the fourth and final set.
| TOP VENDOR | Network Security | Sophos |
| TOP VENDOR | Enterprise Security | Pulse Secure |
| TOP VENDOR | Privileged Access Management | BeyondTrust |
| TOP VENDOR | Data Protection | Veritas |
| Top Vendor | Memory Solutions | Toshiba |
| TOP VENDOR | Digital Transformation | Dell Technologies |
The evening wrapped up with an award for the best dressed lady and gentleman, a group picture, followed by dinner and networking.
