2020 certainly has been a year to remember. Saying we’ve been busy is an understatement—we’ve adapted to a new remote work environment, created a new line of business, earned a handful of awards, and invested in our own future.
Let’s take a look back at our bright spots from the past year.
Joining the Tech Elite 250
For the first time, High Touch was named by CRN, a brand of the Channel Company, to the Tech Elite 250. This exemplary recognition acknowledges High Touch’s knowledge, experience, and capabilities as a technology provider.
According to CRN, “This annual list acknowledges the top tier of North American IT solution providers that have earned the highest number of advanced technical certifications from leading technology suppliers, scaled to their company size. These organizations have differentiated themselves as premier solution providers, earning multiple, top-level IT certifications, specializations, and partner program designations from the industry’s most prestigious technology providers.”
Introducing Remote Workplace Solutions
With the coronavirus pandemic abruptly forcing many companies to shift to remote work, either wholly or in a hybrid environment, High Touch launched a new Remote Workplace Solutions line of business.
This line of business highlights the solutions and services specifically tailored to help organizations continue to be successful in a remote work environment, including Remote IT and Cybersecurity, Remote Workplace Communications, and Software. Additionally, we established a library of remote resources, helping companies continue their success in a remote environment.
Earning a Spot on the Solution Provider 500 List
In 2020, High Touch was again named to CRN’s Solution Provider 500 list. This time, we landed at number 431, up 17 spots from the previous year. According to CRN, the annual list ranks leading IT channel partners across North America by revenue. This list serves as the IT industry’s leading identifier of top-performing technology integrators, service providers, and IT consultants.
Receiving the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Award
For the second year in a row, High Touch has been recognized by the Wichita Business Journal (WBJ) with the Diversity and Inclusion Award. According to the WBJ, these awards “annually recognize the Wichitans who work hard at making their companies, and the city’s business community, more diverse.”
High Touch was recognized for our attention to age and gender diversity within the technology industry, our diverse client base and customer support representatives, and our awareness of the role technology plays in assisting people with disabilities. From High Touch’s award profile, “We strive to be inclusive of people who represent all facets of diversity, not just gender and age, but also race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and the many layers of diversity that will help us continue to grow and thrive. We are proud of the progress we have made in our 36 years as a company. We also know that we need to be more deliberate in continuing our efforts to build a company that is emblematic of the communities we serve.”
Refreshing cynergi|suite
In September, High Touch launched a brand-new website and refreshed look for its flagship rent-to-own (RTO) software platform, cynergi|suite. The new website visually represents High Touch’s continued investment in cynergi|suite and the RTO industry as a whole. “We are doubling-down on the RTO industry, our clients, and our software,” states Derrick Nielsen, President and CEO of High Touch Technologies. “We’re investing to make cynergi|suite more productive, reliable, and safer than ever to support customers’ successes.”
Future investments into cynergi|suite include a new cynergi|suite University, an enhanced back-office accounting system, and a fully-modernized SQL database.
Enhancing Our Executive Team
High Touch announced changes to our Executive team, helping to drive our future growth as a technology partner and comprehensive IT service provider. Existing leaders Kevin Colborn, Senior Vice President of Network Operations/CIO, and Amy Mounts, Senior Vice President of Technology Solutions, accepted enhanced roles to guide the future of High Touch’s technology solutions, including managed IT services, networking, and cybersecurity. Jason Mock, Senior Vice President of Software Solutions, accepted the additional duties of guiding our growing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and website services business.
Nici Duncan, Vice President of Human Resources, and Tara Clary, Senior Director of Marketing, joined High Touch’s Executive team, underscoring our focuses on company culture and elevating the company brand. Jana Davis, Chief Financial Officer, will continue to serve in her current position.
Catch Up With Us
Interested in learning more about High Touch’s recent company news? Check out our blog for company happenings, employee announcements, helpful technology tips, and more.