The success of the comms channel in a resurging economy has been reflected in the UK's leading barometer of fastest growing technology businesses.
A dozen UK channel firms have made the 2015 Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 list announced last month, which rates the fastest expanding technology business in the UK.
The highest ranked are comms resellers offering cloud-based solutions and three are network service providers that have developed their businesses on channel-centric models.
Top ranked in 40th place is Comms Dealer's Reseller of the Year IP Solutions, which has increased sales by more than 500% from £1.6m in 2011/2012 to £6.4m in 2014/2015 (annual average growth of 73.7%).
Andy Lockwood, Chairman of IP Solutions, said: "We have seen a consistent increase in businesses adopting cloud-based solutions.
"With our 'customer first' approach we analyse the specific needs of businesses and deliver bespoke solutions. This approach will allow us to grow even stronger in the future."
Close behind IPS is Olive Communications which has risen for the third year in a row to number 48.
Olive has shown 65.55% three-year rolling growth and employs 160-plus staff across its offices in High Wycombe, Hatfield and Towcester.
Olive's CEO Martin Flick, said: "This clearly illustrates that UK business is changing the way it procures communication services. Britain's PLCs are embracing the communications revolution."
Service Provider Channel Telecom, which won Marketing Team of the Year at this year's Comms Dealer Sales Awards, has entered the Tech Track for the first time at number 65, having seen sales increase to £5.6m and its partner base grow by 72%, recruiting on average 10 new partners each month.
Clifford Norton, MD, said: "We have had a fantastic 2015 thus far and this achievement cements what a truly great year it has been."
Comms Dealer's Service Provider Team of the Year, Fidelity Group, stormed into the Tech Track last year at No 8 (the highest placing for a telecoms business) and has retained its place on the top 100 at No 74. Founders Alan Shraga and Simon Payne are channel veterans whose former business Cable Telecom was also placed in the Tech Track in 2003.
Shraga believes that the success achieved by channel businesses should not be understated. "The channel has shown extraordinary character to adapt and embrace change as they take their businesses, partners and customers on the joined-up journey," he commented.
"Our commitment to offering great products alongside outstanding service and services is at the heart of our success."
London-based Virtual1, listed for the third year running, is the highest placed network provider with an overall ranking of 78. In the financial Year 2014/2015 Virtual1 achieved sales of over £12.5m, showing an increase of around 35%, year-on-year, and a three-year increase of over 250%.
Tom O'Hagan, CEO, stated: "As a technology company with a strictly wholesale sales strategy we are committed to developing the innovative products and services our partners need to develop their businesses."