SAS, a leading provider of data and AI solutions, has been named to CRN's 2026 Big Data 100 list in the Big Data Business Analytics category for the second consecutive year. Compiled annually by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, the list honors technology companies that demonstrate exceptional innovation across the big data landscape, including business analytics, data warehouses and lakes, database technologies, data management and integration, big data platforms, and data observability.

The Big Data 100 serves as a key guide for solution providers looking for advanced technologies and services that help create data-centric solutions and deliver measurable business outcomes for customers.

SAS supports its partner ecosystem with technologies designed to unlock value from vast and complex datasets, including SAS Viya, its cloud-native AI and data platform. Engineered to handle data-intensive environments, SAS Viya enables organizations to efficiently manage and analyze information at scale while leveraging embedded AI capabilities to generate timely, actionable insights. With integrated governance and trusted AI features, the platform helps partners and customers make informed decisions and achieve meaningful business results.

"Organizations are increasingly seeking innovative ways to turn data into tangible action," said John Carey, Senior Vice President of Global Channels at SAS.

"Working closely with our partners, SAS continues to provide data and AI solutions that accelerate insights, improve outcomes and create significant value for customers."

Jennifer Follett, Vice President of U.S. Content and Executive Editor at CRN, The Channel Company, noted that the 2026 Big Data 100 highlights organizations pushing the boundaries of data technology while delivering practical benefits to solution providers and end users. She praised the recognized companies for advancing innovation and helping partners enhance their offerings and drive business growth.

Click here to see the 2026 Big Data 100 list.

In May, Cisco ThousandEyes hosted its third annual Partner Connection, an event aimed at exchanging ideas, forging connections, and engaging with our channel partners. This year, we enhanced the event by collaborating with Cisco’s Partnering for Purpose team to incorporate a meaningful giveback component into the agenda.
 
To maximize the impact of our collaboration, we enlisted the expertise of Give to Get, a third-party social impact event supplier. They helped identify various local on-site and off-site giveback opportunities, addressing issues such as youth hunger, homelessness, environmental conservation, and STEM outreach for young people. All activities were designed to benefit the St. Petersburg community, where the event was held.
 
Ultimately, ThousandEyes chose to focus on addressing youth hunger. We arranged a 75-minute Partnering for Purpose session with a meal-packing activity as the final session on the first day of our two-day summit. This activity supported the Feed our Future program, an initiative of the United Food Bank of Plant City (UFBPC), in partnership with Meals on Wheels for Kids. Feed our Future provides nutritious meals to children year-round, especially during school breaks when access to affordable meals is limited.
 
During the session, Cisco ThousandEyes and channel partner attendees packed 400 snack packs, totaling about 1,000 pounds of food. This hands-on activity not only promoted collaboration among partners but also made a tangible difference in the lives of local children.
 
Reflecting on the event, Tanner Bechtel, Global Director of Partner Strategy and Solutions Engineering at ThousandEyes, remarked, “I saw participants roll up their sleeves and apply their organizational brilliance to create a truly collaborative effort for those in need. The act of sharing our time and work with humility and kindness is what truly matters.”
 
As the Global ThousandEyes Sales Leader, I was thrilled to see how much our partners valued this experience. Since the beginning of Partner Connection, my team and I have been committed to giving back to the communities we visit. This activity provided a meaningful opportunity to make a difference together and share that impact with our partners.
 
The success of Partner Connection and its giveback initiative underscores the power of partnership in creating positive change. By including a giveback activity in our event, we hope to set a strong example for others to follow.