Zebra Technologies’ PartnerConnect Program Earns Top Rating in 2026 CRN® Partner Program Guide

Key Terms

managed service providers technical

Managed service providers are companies that take ongoing responsibility for running and maintaining another business’s IT, security, cloud or related functions for a regular fee, handling monitoring, updates and helpdesk support. For investors, they matter because their subscription-style contracts can create steady, predictable revenue and higher customer retention—similar to hiring a building superintendent who keeps systems running so the owner avoids surprise breakdowns and costly downtime.

value-added resellers technical

Value-added resellers (VARs) are companies that buy products—often hardware or software—and enhance them with additional services, custom configuration, or bundled features before selling them to end customers; think of them as contractors who turn raw building materials into a finished, move-in-ready home. For investors, VARs matter because they can expand a vendor’s sales reach, create higher-margin recurring revenue through services and support, and influence how quickly new products gain market traction.

systems integrators technical

Systems integrators are companies or teams that combine different hardware, software and services into a single working solution—like a general contractor who coordinates electricians, plumbers and carpenters so a building functions. Investors care because integrators turn one-off technology pieces into sellable, revenue-generating systems, often creating steady service contracts and recurring income while reducing clients’ deployment risk and speeding time-to-market, so their sales often reflect broader demand for technology upgrades.

Company recognized for exceptional alignment with partner growth and business evolution

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, today announced it has been recognized by CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, with a prestigious 5-star rating in its 2026 Partner Program Guide.

CRN’s annual guide offers essential information to help managed service providers, value-added resellers, systems integrators, and strategic service providers find the right strategic partners that best support their business needs. The 5-star rating distinguishes companies that go above and beyond to nurture extraordinary channel partnerships, demonstrating exceptional alignment with partner growth, profitability, and business evolution.

For the 2026 CRN Partner Program Guide, CRN’s research team evaluated vendors based on program requirements and offerings such as partner training and education, pre- and post-sales support, marketing programs and resources, technical support, and communication.

“We are honored to receive CRN’s 5-star rating for our PartnerConnect program,” said Bill Cate, Vice President, Marketing, Portfolio & Ecosystems, Zebra Technologies. “Our partners play a strategic role in Zebra’s go-to-market strategy, extending our reach to better serve customers by providing them with solutions to digitize, automate, and embed intelligence into their frontline workflows every day. We hold a deep commitment to making it easy for partners to work with Zebra and differentiate themselves with our portfolio of connected frontline, asset visibility, and automation solutions.”

The award-winning Zebra PartnerConnect Program complements its partners’ numerous business models, whether they resell, distribute, influence, integrate, or develop solutions leveraging Zebra’s broad portfolio. The program focuses on opportunity, profitability and simplicity for Zebra's 10,000+ active channel partners globally. It provides them differentiated rewards based on how they uniquely add value to their customers and Zebra’s business, helping them achieve success.

“Being included in the 2026 CRN Partner Program Guide reflects how today’s technology vendors are rethinking their partner programs to keep pace with a rapidly evolving channel,” said Jennifer Follett, Vice President, U.S. Content, Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. “As solution providers navigate new customer demands, business models and technologies, this annual guide serves as a critical resource for identifying vendors that are investing in programs designed to drive long‑term growth and shared success. The guide delivers meaningful insight into what sets each partner program apart, helping solution providers make confident, strategic partnership decisions.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Zebra earns a 5-Star rating in the 2026 CRN® Partner Program Guide for its award-winning PartnerConnect program.
• The 5-star rating recognizes companies demonstrating exceptional alignment with partner growth, profitability, and business evolution.
• Zebra’s PartnerConnect program supports an ecosystem of over 10,000 partners globally, enabling them to deliver solutions that create a connected frontline and intelligent automation.
• Learn more about the 2026 Partner Program Guide here.

WHO IS ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES?

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides the foundation for intelligent operations with an award-winning portfolio of connected frontline, asset visibility and automation solutions powered by AI. Organizations globally across retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare, and other industries rely on us to deliver outcomes today while driving innovation for what’s next. Together with our partners, we create new ways of working that improve productivity and empower organizations to be better every day. Learn more at www.zebra.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260312163585/en/

Media Contact:

Therese Van Ryne

Zebra Technologies

+1-847-370-2317

therese.vanryne@zebra.com

Industry Analyst Contact:

Kasia Fahmy

Zebra Technologies

+1-224-306-8654

k.fahmy@zebra.com

Source: Zebra Technologies Corporation