Connection : Calm the Confusion of IT

By
Jack Salter
Head of Editorial
Jack Salter is an in-house writer for North America Outlook Magazine, where he is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine,...
- Head of Editorial
Connection
Highlights
  • Connection’s experts are there to provide solutions, services, and capabilities backed by real-world experience and deep knowledge.
  • “Whether it’s reassessing cybersecurity posture, optimizing a digital workspace, or modernizing infrastructure, Connection is there to help customers find the right solution for their unique needs,” says Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, Connection.

Connection delivers industry-leading technology solutions to enhance growth, elevate productivity, and empower innovation. We connect with President and CEO, Tim McGrath, and Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, Jamal Khan.

CALM THE CONFUSTION OF IT

“Since 1982, we have set the standard for customer service in the IT industry.”

A collaborative approach to the design, integration, and deployment of technology has fueled the growth of Connection, according to President and CEO, Tim McGrath.

This approach has also earned the global IT solutions provider a reputation as a trusted advisor to customers worldwide.

“Empathy – for the challenges technology presents to people – is at the heart of Connection’s culture and serves as a foundation for long-lasting and rewarding partnerships with organizations of every size and industry,” McGrath affirms.

Everything Connection does is driven by exceptional customer service, building strong relationships that grow deeper over time.

The company connects people with the right technology to enhance growth, elevate productivity, and empower innovation – before that, however, it needs to build trust.

“We need to listen, understand, and serve as a true advisor. The reason customers trust us is encapsulated in our vision and brand purpose to calm the confusion of IT, guiding the connection between people and technology,” outlines McGrath.

“Naturally, we couldn’t accomplish any level of success without our dedicated teammates working together to drive our mission with team spirit to always achieve more.”

Long-lasting, loyal relationships and a deep bench of expertise ensure Connection is well-positioned to deliver exceptional value to customers.

As they face challenges caused by the ever-evolving world of business and technology, the company’s experts are there to provide solutions, services, and capabilities backed by real-world experience and deep knowledge.

“Whether it’s reassessing cybersecurity posture, optimizing a digital workspace, or modernizing infrastructure, Connection is there to help customers find the right solution for their unique needs,” adds Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer.

Tim McGrath, President and CEO, Connection

“We need to listen, understand, and serve as a true advisor. The reason customers trust us is encapsulated in our vision and brand purpose to calm the confusion of IT, guiding the connection between people and technology” 

Tim McGrath, President and CEO, Connection

IT MADE SIMPLE

An award-winning company commended by the likes of Time, Forbes, Newsweek, Dell Technologies, HP, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Samsung, Connection holds hundreds of certifications with top vendors.

Publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CNXN, it offers expertise across several areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data centers, digital workspace, multi-cloud, and technology services.

The company has three distinct business units – Connection Business Solutions Group (BSG), Connection Enterprise Solutions Group (ESG), and Connection Public Sector Solutions Group (PSG) – each with its own audience, focus, and approach.

Collectively, they tailor offerings for a variety of industry verticals, including healthcare, government, education, retail, manufacturing, and financial services.

The company employs more than 2,600 staff members and is headquartered in Merrimack, New Hampshire (NH), generating annual revenues of approximately $2.8 billion.

It also operates facilities in Keene, NH; Boca Raton, Florida (FL); Schaumburg, Illinois (IL); Rockville, Maryland (MD); Exton, Pennsylvania (PA); and Dakota Dunes, South Dakota (SD), along with the full-service Technology Integration and Distribution Center (TIDC) in Wilmington, Ohio (OH).

Through its TIDC, which conducts order fulfillment, warehousing, and advanced configuration, Connection offers customers turnkey solutions for all their IT needs.

These include hardware configuration, imaging and provisioning, asset management, remote management, white glove enrollment services, kitting, custom packaging, and depot repair services.

“This 268,000 square foot facility completes more than 725,000 custom configurations each year – including personal computing devices, servers, mobile devices, and networking hardware – while championing industry-leading conservation, recycling, and waste reduction strategies,” McGrath informs.

Connection holds multiple ISO certifications for its TIDC and associated delivery services, ensuring the highest levels of quality, safety, and security throughout its operations.

The company also secured System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2®) certification as part of ongoing efforts to deliver unsurpassed performance and security through its TIDC operations.

“This exclusive industry certification, based on a cybersecurity compliance framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, ensures Connection meets the highest standards for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy,” Khan acclaims.

Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, Connection

“Whether it’s reassessing cybersecurity posture, optimizing a digital workspace, or modernizing infrastructure, Connection is there to help customers find the right solution for their unique needs”

Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, Connection

THE BENEFITS OF AI

AI offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for organizations to achieve rapid gains in productivity and efficiency.

As a trusted technology provider, it’s Connection’s job to help customers sort through the noise and adopt new technologies with confidence and clarity.

Thus, in December 2023, the company launched the CNXN Helix™ Center for Applied AI and Robotics (CNXN Helix).

CNXN Helix brings together industry-leading experts, resources, and support designed to help businesses of all sizes realize the benefits of AI.

The center offers a portfolio of AI solutions and advisory services to assist with every need, from deeply technical engineering discussions to organization-wide introductory AI workshops.

It also provides expertise across a range of topics, including data orchestration; infrastructure design and optimization; machine learning (ML) operations, data operations, and support management; modeling, training, and inference; and AI skills development training.

With proven applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and finance services, CNXN Helix enables organizations to scale intelligently, improve outcomes, and embrace the future of automation.

“This investment underscores Connection’s unwavering commitment to driving transformative change in the AI landscape,” highlights Khan, who also heads CNXN Helix.

“Our strategic approach to helping organizations adopt and integrate AI involves a keen focus on key verticals, allowing us to tailor AI solutions that align with specific industry demands.

“Beyond technology, our commitment to advisory excellence remains paramount. We believe in equipping our customers with the insights and guidance needed to make informed strategic decisions and achieve the most favorable outcomes,” he tells us.

CNXN Helix is therefore not just about technology – it’s about catalyzing growth, inspiring innovation, and elevating the success stories of clients and partners.

“At Connection, we recognize the profound impact of AI and the potential it represents for businesses and industries, and CNXN Helix stands as a testament to our dedication in delivering against this promise. Our mission is clear – to create exceptional AI value outcomes for our customers,” urges Khan.

There was also a keynote address from CNXN Helix at the Connection Technology Summit Series 2025, hosted in Miami, Nashville, and Phoenix, bringing together industry peers and subject-matter experts.

The series provided attendees with valuable opportunities to network, explore emerging technology trends, and gain actionable insights for organizational readiness.

ADVANCED TOOLS AND INSIGHTS

Along with CNXN Helix, Connection also recently launched ConnecTrack, an AI-driven platform designed to enhance customer experience and outcomes by providing advanced tools and insights that drive greater efficiency, transparency, and satisfaction in partner environments.

Initially rolled out with Cisco and later with Microsoft, ConnecTrack supports comprehensive lifecycle management from procurement and deployment through to maintenance and decommissioning.

“The platform facilitates upgrade planning to keep systems current and integrates with Cisco to offer a single pane of glass view, uniting live subscription data, asset inventory, and service contract information in one application,” explains McGrath.

“Cost and budget optimization features help identify underutilized or redundant assets and streamline financial planning with up-to-date data.”

Proactive maintenance and support are enhanced through consistent, collaborative workspaces that facilitate renewals and ensure data accuracy, reducing the time spent managing contract inventory for renewals by 80 percent.

Sustainability initiatives within ConnecTrack also simplify analysis and options for environmentally friendly technology migrations, target equipment replacements for significant energy efficiency improvements, and demonstrate both the financial and environmental benefits of sustainable upgrades.

These align with Connection’s long-standing commitment to sustainable business practices and its continued progress toward key development goals.

The company recently published its inaugural Sustainability Report, which provides detailed accounts and insightful statistics on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities.

As Connection’s first formal ESG report, it underscores the organization’s dedication to sustainable growth and meaningful community engagement.

“The report marks a significant milestone in our ESG journey. Key achievements include advancements in energy efficiency and carbon emissions tracking, the promotion of fair labor practices and employee training, and the implementation of ethical business practices, alongside responsible supply chain management,” notes Khan.

Connection fosters a socially responsible culture that not only drives environmentally sound business practices but also supports inclusive excellence and encourages community engagement.

“Our culture is deeply rooted in a series of shared values – respect, excellence, teamwork, corporate citizenship, and integrity above all else. We believe in treating people the way we would like to be treated,” McGrath asserts.

These values are evident in the company’s employee-driven Connection Cares program, which empowers staff members to make a difference both within the business and its communities.

The program builds upon four pillars – a welcoming, accepting, and fair workplace; sustainability; charitable contributions; and employee recognition.

HONORING SUPERHEROES

Another Connection program, the annual IT Superhero Awards, honors the overachievers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, often without seeking recognition or praise.

These awards are designed to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of IT professionals who consistently go above and beyond to ensure operations continue seamlessly.

“Every day, our teams witness IT professionals stepping up and making a difference, which is why we are delighted to celebrate their efforts with these well-deserved accolades,” prides Khan.

2025 honorees included Jackie Lovell of St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Virginia (VA) as Best Team Leader, Lucas Reynard of Roanoke City Public Schools in VA as Best Rookie, Daymel Feliu Delgado of Brevard Public Schools in FL for Best Catch, Michael Jordan of Amports in FL as Most Unshakeable, and Ankur Khare of SAP America in PA for Best Superpower and Ultimate IT Superhero.

“There’s no greater advocate for the potential of technology – or the power of IT professionals – than Connection. We created the IT Superhero Awards program to celebrate these unsung heroes and recognize the individuals who propel their organizations forward with innovative ideas, bold strategies, and critical problem-solving skills,” Khan smiles.

CUSTOMER INTEGRATION

Connection’s focus is always on customers, helping them to adapt and prepare for what comes next, as evidenced by numerous case studies conducted by the company in modern infrastructure, digital workspace, supply chain and lifecycle, and multi-cloud.

“Technology comes in waves, and our ability to transform and help our customers navigate these waves is mission-critical to our success,” concludes McGrath.

“Looking ahead to 2026, those crucial areas will be advanced technology solutions, including modern infrastructure, multi-cloud, cybersecurity, and AI. These are complex solutions that require an in-depth understanding of each organization’s unique environment, users, and business demands.”

The company’s success hinges on its ability to integrate closely with customers and meet their needs.

“We will continue to drive growth in advanced technology solutions and services by increasing our customer base through new client development and expanding our existing accounts through closer integration with our loyal customers,” Khan closes.

This article was produced by the editorial team at North America Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.

Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, supply chains, food production, and sustainability.

North America Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping industries across North America.

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Jack Salter is an in-house writer for North America Outlook Magazine, where he is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate brochures, and the digital platform.