How consistency and innovation set a technology services partner apart
For 30 years, our job has been to make our clients the heroes of their own technology story. That focus is why clients rate us in the top 1% of B2B service providers, and why CBTS just earned its 11th consecutive year on the CRN Solution Provider 500 at No. 49 among North America's top IT solution providers.
A new industry analysis looks at what that kind of staying power takes, and why it matters more than ever as AI reshapes the work ahead:
“Landing at number 49 for 2026, CBTS continues to hold its own among the industry's heaviest hitters.” This isn't just a story about a press release; it's a case study in what it takes to build an organization that thrives not in spite of market volatility, but because it is structured to navigate it. For the more than 3,000 clients that rely on them, this consistency is not just commendable; it's a critical business asset.
The anatomy of endurance
The CRN Solution Provider 500 is more than a vanity list; it is the definitive annual ranking of the largest and most influential solution providers in North America. Ranking is primarily based on revenue, making it a direct reflection of market success and client trust. To remain in the top 50, as CBTS has, signifies a sustained high-level performance that few can match. While its ranking shifted slightly from #44 in 2025, maintaining a position within this elite bracket amidst fierce competition and a market being reshaped by AI is a testament to its robust operational and strategic foundation.
Jennifer Follett, Vice President at CRN, noted that the list highlights companies demonstrating ‘agility and sustained growth amid rapidly evolving industry demands.’ This is where the story moves beyond mere revenue. CBTS’s longevity on the list points to a core strategy that anticipates, rather than reacts to, market shifts. The company has methodically built a portfolio that addresses the foundational pillars of modern enterprise: infrastructure modernization, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity. Now, it is applying that same methodical approach to the next great disruptor: Artificial Intelligence.
The full-stack advantage
In the press release, CEO Kristin Russell states, ‘It takes a partner with depth across the full stack, accountability across the full lifecycle, and the track record to back it up. CBTS is built for exactly this moment.’ This isn't just corporate rhetoric; it's the core of their value proposition. The ‘full stack’ approach — encompassing advisory, engineering, deployment, and managed operations — is designed to eliminate the friction and risk that often plague complex technology projects.
For a client, this means having a single point of accountability from the initial strategic blueprint to the ongoing, 24/7 management of critical systems . This model is particularly vital for the company's clientele in highly regulated industries like finance and healthcare, where, as the company notes, ‘technology failures are not an option.’
The proof is in the performance metrics. In 2025, CBTS managed over 600,000 client service events while consistently meeting service-level agreements and earning a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 82 — a score that places it in the upper echelon of customer-centric organizations globally.
This end-to-end ownership builds a deep-seated resilience for clients. Instead of juggling multiple vendors and navigating blame games when issues arise, organizations can rely on a partner whose success is intrinsically tied to the stable, secure, and forward-looking operation of their entire technology environment.
Mastering the AI and security frontier
Today, no conversation about technology services is complete without addressing the twin titans of AI and cybersecurity. Here, CBTS is making a concerted push to lead. Russell’s observation that clients are under ‘real pressure to move AI into production, tighten security, and do both without disrupting the business’ perfectly captures the modern enterprise dilemma. It’s a high-wire act, and CBTS is positioning itself as the safety net.
The firm’s credibility in this arena is reinforced by more than just marketing. The same week it celebrated its CRN 500 ranking, CBTS also highlighted its achievement of Cisco Preferred Partner status across a swath of critical areas, including Cloud and AI Infrastructure. Furthermore, it earned HPE’s highest designation, Triple Platinum Plus, recognizing its depth in AI-ready infrastructure. These aren’t participation trophies; they are hard-won certifications from the world’s leading technology manufacturers, signaling a deep, validated expertise.
By integrating AI capabilities with its long-standing strengths in cybersecurity and managed services, CBTS is crafting an offering that addresses the future without abandoning the present. It helps organizations build the AI-powered future on a foundation that is secure, stable, and compliant, effectively de-risking innovation and turning a source of anxiety into a competitive advantage.
Thriving in a field of giants
To fully appreciate this CBTS achievement, one must view it within the context of the broader market. The top of the Solution Provider 500 list is dominated by global behemoths like Accenture and NTT Data. In this field of giants, CBTS has carved out a powerful niche by not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, it has focused on being the indispensable partner for mid-market and enterprise organizations that require both sophisticated solutions and a high-touch, flexible service model.
Its continued recognition on parallel CRN lists, like the Tech Elite 250 (for technical expertise) and the MSP Elite 150 (for managed services scale), further illustrates this focused strategy. CBTS is not merely reselling technology; it is designing, building, and operating the resilient technology foundations that allow its clients to compete and win. The company’s success demonstrates that in the world of technology services, scale is only one part of the equation. A deep understanding of client needs, unwavering operational discipline, and the strategic foresight to master the next wave of technology are what create true, lasting value.”
CBTS has been partnering with leading organizations for 30 years, which is long enough to watch entire technology eras rise and fade. The partners who last aren't the ones chasing each wave. They're the ones clients trust to carry them through business transformation.
That's the standard we've held for 30 years, and it's the standard we're bringing to what comes next: helping clients put AI into production and strengthen security without putting the business at risk. The technology will keep changing. Our commitment to getting it right, year after year, won't.
Read the full article here: CBTS’s 11-Year Run: Why Consistency is the New Currency in Tech Services.