RETAILER CATEGORY
The Retailer awards recognise excellence in consumer-facing organisations, whether they are bricks and mortar stores or online businesses. The winners of these awards will be those organisations that have best represented the UK technology industry to the outside world, and achieved outstanding sales success in the process.
This award is open to any national system builder that makes custom PCs/laptops, whether channel-focused or shipping direct to consumer.  
This award is open to any bricks and mortar computer retailer, or organisation involved in the support and repair of PCs, with five stores or fewer. If the organisation builds its own-brand systems and sells them nationally or internationally, it should enter the System Builder category.  
This award is open to any bricks and mortar computer or technology retailer with more than five stores nationwide.  
This award is for any computer or technology retailer who conducts their business solely online. 
RESELLER CATEGORY
The Reseller Awards recognise the B2B side of technology sales across hardware, services, integration or software. These awards recognise achievements across the spectrum, from servicing small businesses right up to the enterprise level.
SMB RESELLER - NEW FOR 2017
This award is open to any UK Reseller focused upon selling to small to medium sized businesses (under 250 employees). 
CORPORATE VAR - NEW FOR 2017
The Corporate VAR Award is open any UK based Value Added Reseller selling into medium to enterprise sized businesses (defined as over 250 employees). 
MSP SPECIALIST - NEW FOR 2017
The MSP Specialist Award is open to any UK reseller specialising in providing Managed Services to its clients. 
CHANNEL SERVICES CATEGORY
This category aims to recognise the trade’s best dealer services providers , PR agencies and buying groups.
The Dealer Services Provider award is open to any IT dealer services provider who operates within the UK and provides services to retailers and retailers. 
The Marketing/PR Agency award is for any marketing or PR agency that provides services to clients operating in the UK IT Channel. 
DISTRIBUTION CATEGORY
Distributors are a vital cog in the technology channel, linking vendors with the people at the frontline – retailers and resellers. The distribution awards are designed to acknowledge the hard work put in by these unsung heroes of the channel. The sales and marketing teams at distributors are a key link between vendors and retailers, without whom the channel would grind to a halt...
The Software, Services and Support Distributor Award is open to any distributor that specialises in or has an extensive software offering. This can include straight software product distribution, Software as a Service, and the support structures to assist resellers and retailers in selling these. 
The Hardware Distributor Award is open to any distributor that specialises in or has a large hardware offering – this includes components (graphics cards, processors, motherboards) full PCs (desktops, laptops) or peripherals (mice, keyboards and headsets). 
CLOUD DISTRIBUTOR - NEW FOR 2017
The Cloud Distributor Award is open to any distributor that specialises in or has a large cloud offering – this organisation will be able to demonstrate not only the ability to facilitate resellers who are looking to sell more cloud based services, but also successfully communicate the benefits of the products vendor partners are looking to push to the market. 
The Consumer Electronics Distributor Award is open to any distributor that specialises in or has a large consumer electronics offering – for example mobile phones, wearables or satellite navigation devices. 
The Marketing and PR Award is open to the communications arm of any IT distributor. 
VENDOR CATEGORY
No technology industry awards event would be complete without rewarding the companies who actually make the kit. While acknowledging the importance and hard work of retailers, resellers and distributors, the PCR Awards continue to reward the channel facing  divisions of the vendor community. 
The Software, Service and Support Award is open to any organisation that publishes software – this can include operating systems, accounting tools and other professional software, utility software such as security programs, or cloud based products and services. 
The Peripherals Vendor Award is open to any organisation that produces peripherals, such as mice, keyboards and headsets. 
The Components Vendor award is open to any vendor that makes components, for example hard drives, GPUs or CPUs. 
The Desktop PC Vendor Award is open to any organisation that produces desktop computers, such as traditional towers or small form factor PC.  
The Mobile Device and Wearables award is open to any organisation that produces mobile computing devices – this can include tablets and smartphones as well as wearables like smart watches and VR products. 
The Networking Vendor category is open to any organisation that produces networking hardware, such as NAS drives and routers. 
PCR COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2017
The PCR Company of the Year award is the most prestigious award of the evening. It honours a company or brand that has had an outstanding past 12 months with an exceptional contribution to the channel. This award is chosen by the PCR editorial team.
1. System Builder
Entries should include:
Clear evidence of commercial success through the use of innovative and creative strategies and routes to market. This should include:
  • Overall sales figures
  • Details of key performance indicators for measuring success
  • Details of sales performance across three top product ranges
  • Customer testimonials regarding staff expertise
  • Details of multi-platform marketing campaign
  • Case studies from clients regarding innovative approaches to their needs and requirements
2. Independent Retailer
Entries should include:
Clear evidence of commercial success through the use of innovative and creative strategies and routes to market. This should include:
  • Overall sales figures indicative of retail success
  • Details of sales performance across three top product ranges
  • Details of multi-platform marketing campaign focusing on local areas and community engagement
  • Details of key performance indicators for measuring success
  • Customer testimonials regarding staff expertise
3. National Retailer
Entries should include:
Clear evidence of commercial success through the use of innovative and creative strategies and routes to market. This should include:
  • Overall sales figures indicative of retail success
  • Details of sales performance across three top product ranges
  • Details of multi-platform national marketing campaign
  • Details of key performance indicators for measuring success
  • Customer testimonials regarding staff expertise
4. Online Retailer
Entries should cover:
Clear evidence of commercial success through the use of innovative and creative strategies and routes to market. This should include:
  • Overall sales figures indicative of retail success
  • Details of sales performance across three top product ranges
  • Details of multi-platform national marketing campaign – this can include both print and digital exposure
  • Details of key performance indicators for measuring success
  • Customer testimonials regarding staff expertise and quality of online experience
5. SMB ResellerNEW FOR 2017!
Entries should cover:
Clear evidence of commercial success and growth over the year, and strategy for growth in the coming years
  • Up to 3 case studies involving key clients that demonstrate the use of innovation and expertise to meet the needs and requirements of clients
  • Evidence of outstanding value provided to SMB clients over the year – what makes you stand out from your competition?
  • Evidence of year on year client retention and key account growth
6. Corporate VARNEW FOR 2017!
Entries should cover:
  • Financial success: Entries should provide evidence of specific sales achievements over the past year. Suggested metrics include numbers of new customers, revenue growth, and/or expansion of the business in terms of staff and assets.
  • Marketing: Provide evidence of targeted multiplatform campaigns/strategies that have had a proven impact upon your target market, resulting in increased awareness of your business and services. Impact can be measured via commercial or strategic gains.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one client testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you helped the client improve their business.
  • Expertise and innovation in solutions: Provide details of solutions and products you have developed that have been successful, based on technical knowledge and adaptability to particular client needs.
7. Dealer Services Provider
Entries should include:
  • Reseller and retailer support: Provide evidence of how your organisation is supporting the commercial and strategic needs of retailers and resellers
  • Innovation in services: What services is your organisation offering that makes you stand out from the crowd? How are you differentiating your services from that of your competitors and how is that impacting the resellers and retailers who use your services for the better?
  • Growth in customer base: Provide evidence of sustained growth in customers using your service, including strategic detail regarding future growth
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one client testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you helped the client improve their business with a dealer services solution.
8. MSP Specialist - NEW FOR 2017!
Entries should include:
  • Financial success: Provide evidence of specific sales achievements over the past year, this can include numbers of new customers, revenue growth, or expansion of the business in terms of staff and assets.
  • Marketing: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increased client base, whether through your website, advertising, or direct marketing.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one client testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you helped the client improve their business with a managed services based solution.
  • Expertise in managed services products: Provide details of specific managed services solutions and products you have developed that have been successful, based on technical knowledge of the sector and how that has been adaptable to clients particular needs.
9. Marketing/PR Agency
Entries should include:
  • Empirical evidence of up to 3 successful marketing or PR campaigns, including detail of client objectives and how these were met/exceeded
  • Up to 3 testimonials from key clients demonstrating a high level of customer service and strong relationships in the channel
  • Judges will also consider the creative quality of the campaigns, the level of innovation demonstrated and the consistency of messaging across multiple platforms
10. Software, Services and Support - Distributor NEW FOR 2017!
Entries should include:
  • Financial success: Provide evidence of specific sales achievements over the past year, this can include numbers product shipping figures, revenue growth, or expansion of the business in terms of staff or assets.
  • Account management satisfaction: Please provide one testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you assisted a dealer with a particular push in software or generally by offering good support all year round.
  • Product range: Lay out the breadth of your product range carried, and provide details of any expansion of this – or any new software vendors you have taken on – in the past 12 months.
  • Innovation in dealer services: Explain any new dealer programmes or support structures you have designed to support resellers and retailers in their sales efforts to end-users. This can include customer portals, POS, or excellent customer service.
11. Hardware Distributor
Entries should include:
  • Financial success: Provide evidence of specific sales achievements over the past year, this can include numbers product shipping figures, revenue growth, or expansion of the business in terms of staff or assets
  • Product range: Lay out the breadth of your product range carried, and provide details of any expansion of this – or any new vendors you have taken on – in the past 12 months.
  • Innovation in dealer services: Explain any new dealer programmes or support structures you have designed to support resellers and retailers in their sales efforts to end-users. This can include customer portals, POS, or excellent customer service.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one client testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you helped a dealer improve their sales and boost their business through hardware products or services.
12. Cloud DistributorNEW FOR 2017!
Entries should include:
  • Financial success: Provide evidence of specific sales achievements over the past year, this can include numbers product shipping figures, revenue growth, or expansion of the business in terms of staff or assets
  • Cloud expertise and support: Demonstrate the expertise of your company’s sales team or support service department , both in terms of implementing and selling cloud services in the first instance and then providing exemplary customer service and maintenance post-sale to your reseller customers.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one client testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you helped a dealer improve their sales and boost their business through hardware products or services.
13. Consumer Electronics Distributor
Entries should include:
  • Financial success: Provide evidence of specific sales achievements over the past year, this can include numbers product shipping figures, revenue growth, or expansion of the business in terms of staff or assets.
  • Product range: Lay out the breadth of your product range carried, and provide details of any expansion of this – or any new consumer electronic vendors you have taken on – in the past 12 months.
  • Innovation in dealer services: Explain any new dealer programmes or support structures you have designed to support resellers and retailers in their sales efforts to end-users. This can include customer portals, POS, or excellent customer service.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one client testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you helped a dealer improve their sales and boost their business through consumer electronic products or services.
14. Marketing and PR
Entries should include:
  • Success of campaigns: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increase in business for you or your vendors, whether through a website, advertising, or direct marketing.
  • Channel relationships: Demonstrate how being close to the channel as a whole and working with both vendors and dealers has resulted in successful results in communication and marketing pushes.
  • Vendor satisfaction: Please provide one testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining how you improved sales of a particular product or line for a vendor you work with.
15. Software, Services and Support –Vendor NEW FOR 2017!
Entries should include:
  • Product innovation and support: Explain how software you produce is market leading – either through innovative features, effective and timely updates, and ingenuity in solving a problem for customers.
  • Marketing campaigns: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increase in business for you or your partners, whether through channel marketing, mainstream advertising, or direct marketing.
  • Sales success: Lay out specific sales successes for a product or line of products over the past 12 months – be as specific as possible in terms of market growth and impact on the consumer base.
  • Support programmes: Explain what systems you have in place to offer excellent support not only to end-users but also to the distributors and resellers selling your products - this can include traditional customer service, online support or some form of automated portal.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one channel testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining praise for the both the products and working with you as a publisher and partner.
16. Peripherals Vendor
Entries should include:
  • Product innovation: Explain how the products you produce are market leading – either through innovative features, quality of build and design flair.
  • Marketing campaigns: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increase in business for you or your partners, whether through channel marketing, mainstream advertising, or direct marketing.
  • Sales success: Lay out specific sales successes for a product or line of products over the past 12 months – be as specific as possible in terms of market growth and impact on the consumer base.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one channel testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining praise for the both the products and working with you as a vendor and partner.
17. Components Vendor
Entries should include:
  • Product innovation: Explain how the products you produce are market leading – either through technical superiority, compatibility or generally pushing the computer market forward in terms of technical advancement.
  • Marketing campaigns: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increase in business for you or your partners, whether through channel marketing, mainstream advertising, or direct marketing.
  • Sales success: Lay out specific sales successes for a product or line of products over the past 12 months – be as specific as possible in terms of market growth and impact on the consumer base.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one channel testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining praise for the both the products and working with you as a vendor and partner.
18. Desktop PC Vendor
Entries should include:
  • Product innovation: Explain how the products you produce are market leading – either through innovative features, quality of build and design flair.
  • Marketing campaigns: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increase in business for you or your partners, whether through channel marketing, mainstream advertising, or direct marketing.
  • Sales success: Lay out specific sales successes for a product or line of products over the past 12 months – be as specific as possible in terms of market growth and impact on the consumer base.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one channel testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining praise for the both the products and working with you as a vendor and partner.
19. Mobile Device and WearablesNEW FOR 2017!
Entries should include:
  • Product innovation: Explain how the products you produce are market leading – either through innovative features, quality of build and design flair
  • Marketing campaigns: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increase in business for you or your partners, whether through channel marketing, mainstream advertising, or direct marketing
  • Sales success: Lay out specific sales successes for a product or line of products over the past 12 months – be as specific as possible in terms of market growth and impact on the consumer base
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one channel testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining praise for the both the products and working with you as a vendor and partner
20. Networking Vendor
Entries should include:
  • Product innovation: Explain how the products you produce are market leading – either through technical superiority, compatibility or generally pushing the computer market forward in terms of technical advancement.
  • Marketing campaigns: Provide evidence of campaigns/strategies that have made an impact, raised awareness of your business and resulted in an increase in business for you or your partners, whether through channel marketing, mainstream advertising, or direct marketing.
  • Sales success: Lay out specific sales successes for a product or line of products over the past 12 months – be as specific as possible in terms of market growth and impact on the consumer base.
  • Client satisfaction: Please provide one channel testimonial (no more than 200 words) outlining praise for the both the products and working with you as a vendor and partner.