RIS

What RIS does

RIS Limited is an independent Hong Kong-headquartered analyst and consultancy firm, founded in 2009, that specializes in Asia-Pacific IT and telecommunications channel intelligence. Its commercial core is the Apollo channel database — an internally researched, queryable repository profiling more than 10,000 ICT channel partners across ANZ, ASEAN, India, Greater China, and Korea (Japan is excluded from certain reports). Each profile captures partner type, location, turnover, staff headcount, vendors represented, solutions and services offered, and vertical sectors targeted; the firm positions this set as representing 85-90% of IT products and services supplied across APAC.

The company monetizes Apollo through subscriptions (basic access at US$5,000 per query) and individual partner profile purchases (US$250), alongside one-off market research reports — a 16-page full-APAC report at US$4,500 and 11-page regional reports at US$1,200 each — covering Cloud Computing, Analytics, Storage, WiFi, and Network Infrastructure. Complementary revenue is generated through channel-development consulting (recruitment, route-to-market definition, growth-capacity planning) and outsourced training/LMS delivery conducted in partnership with associate company Rockwell Information Services (120+ classes/month, 35 instructors covering all APAC languages). The firm also publishes the proprietary 320+ page reference book "If You Want Loyalty – Buy a Dog" on IT channel management.

RIS sells primarily via direct enterprise engagement, with the rishk.net website serving as the central lead-generation surface (demo requests, inquiry forms). The 15+ disclosed enterprise clients are uniformly major global IT vendors — Commvault, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Dell, SAP, Microsoft, NetApp, EMC, Citrix, Akamai, Equinix, Nutanix, Westcon Group and others — indicating a tightly enterprise-focused GTM with no documented SMB or self-service tier. The core team disclosed is lean (Managing Director Gary Kinsley, CTO Mark Williams, and three additional professionals), consistent with the 11-50 employee band reported in firmographic data.

Name

RIS

Legal name

RIS Limited

Website

https://rishk.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RIS is a Hong Kong-based independent analyst and consultancy, founded in 2009, that profiles 10,000+ Asia-Pacific ICT channel partners through its Apollo database and sells subscriptions, market reports, consulting, and training to enterprise IT vendors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kowloon City

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Apollo Database Access: Subscription-based access to the Apollo channel partner database with query capabilities. Basic search access costs US$5,000, individual company profile reports cost US$250.
2. Market Research Reports: RIS conducts studies and produces reports on Cloud Computing, Analytics, Storage, WiFi, Network Infrastructure, and other topics, sizing markets by country and major channel partners. Full 16-page Asia-Pacific report costs US$4,500; regional 11-page reports (ANZ, ASEAN, India, Greater-China, Korea) cost US$1,200 each.
3. Consulting Services: Consulting for channel recruitment, development, growth capacity planning and management. Includes route-to-market definition and partner exploration.
4. Training Services: Outsourced Learning Management System with 120+ classes monthly, certifying 150,000+ students annually. Training available on channel management topics covered by the 'If You Want Loyalty - Buy a Dog' book.
5. Book Sales: Sale of the book 'If You Want Loyalty - Buy a Dog' on IT Channel Partner Management in Asia. Price is US$125, with introductory offer at US$100. Book contains over 320 pages of content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

RIS is an independent analyst and consulting firm that operates the Apollo Channel Database, a proprietary intelligence platform profiling over 10,000 ICT channel partners across Asia-Pacific. The firm complements this database with syndicated market research reports, channel partner consulting services, and outsourced training/certification programs delivered through a Learning Management System. RIS primarily serves IT vendors and channel partners seeking route-to-market intelligence across ANZ, ASEAN, India, Greater China, and Korea.

Product overview

RIS is an independent analyst and consultancy firm providing a unified platform of channel partner intelligence and professional services for IT vendors operating in Asia-Pacific. The core product is the Apollo Channel Database—a searchable database of over 10,000 IT Channel Partners representing 85-90% of the APAC IT market. This is complemented by RIS Reports (market research on cloud, analytics, storage, WiFi, and network infrastructure), Channel Partner Consulting Services (recruitment, development, and go-to-market strategy), and Training Services delivered through a proprietary Learning Management System. Additionally, RIS publishes the book 'If You Want Loyalty – Buy a Dog,' a comprehensive guide on IT Channel Management. The Apollo database serves as the central intelligence hub, while consulting and training services represent the professional service layer that helps vendors leverage the database insights for channel development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Apollo: RIS's channel partner database containing profiles of over 10,000 ICT Channel Partners operating in Asia-Pacific, representing 85-90% of IT products and services supplied in APAC.

Products and services

• Apollo Channel Database Independently researched, infinitely queryable database profiling over 10,000 ICT Channel Partners across Asia-Pacific, covering partner type, location, turnover, vendors represented, solutions offered, services provided, and vertical sectors targeted. Sold to IT vendors for channel partner identification, profiling, and route-to-market planning.
• RIS Market Research Reports Syndicated research reports on Cloud Computing, Analytics, Storage, WiFi, Network Infrastructure, and Channel Partner growth statistics, sizing markets by country and major channel partners in APAC (ANZ, ASEAN, India, Greater China, Korea). Full 16-page APAC report priced at US$4,500; 11-page regional reports at US$1,200 each.
• Channel Partner Consulting Services Custom consulting for IT vendors covering channel recruitment, development, growth capacity planning, route-to-market definition, and partner exploration. Delivered by RIS analysts using Apollo database insights and proprietary channel management methodology.
• Training Services (Outsourced LMS) Outsourced Learning Management System delivered in conjunction with Rockwell Information Services, running 120+ classes monthly and certifying over 150,000 students per year, with 35 instructors covering all languages across Asia Pacific. Covers channel management topics including those from the 'If You Want Loyalty - Buy a Dog' book.
• If You Want Loyalty - Buy a Dog (Book) A 320+ page definitive guide on IT Channel Partner Management in Asia covering channel partner types, financial models, programmes, education, technical services, go-to-market models, cultural diversity, and future trends including big data, cloud, and mobility. Priced at US$125 with introductory offer at US$100.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85-90% market coverage of APAC IT products and services through partner network
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rockwell Information ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIS operates in conjunction with Rockwell Information Services to provide a complete outsourced Learning Management System (LMS) to IT Vendors. The partnership runs over 120 classes monthly, certifying over 150,000 students annually, with 35 instructors covering all languages across Asia Pacific.
• DbvisitminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRIS assisted Oracle experts Dbvisit to identify and qualify Channel Partners to expand their business in Asia. RIS conducted partner research and profiling for Dbvisit's Asia expansion strategy.
• Westcon GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRIS conducted interviews with Westcon Group executives as part of their 'Movers and Shakers' series, discussing the distribution landscape in Asia-Pacific.
• Salesforce.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRIS interviewed Salesforce.com executives for their 'Movers and Shakers' series covering cloud computing and social enterprise topics in Asia-Pacific.
• CloudFXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRIS interviewed CloudFX executives for their 'Movers and Shakers' series, discussing cloud channels and virtualization trends in Asia-Pacific.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Gartner: Global IT research and advisory leader serving enterprise technology vendors. Comparable to RIS as a B2B intelligence and advisory firm, though vastly larger, broader in scope, and focused on enterprise IT buyers in addition to vendors.
• GlobalData: Global data and analytics company covering technology, consumer, healthcare, and other sectors, including IT vendor intelligence. Comparable to RIS through its technology research offerings, but vastly larger and broader.
• Omdia: Technology research powerhouse formed from IHS Markit technology assets, covering IT, telecommunications, and media markets globally. Comparable to RIS as an enterprise IT intelligence provider with strong APAC coverage, but far broader in scope.
• Forrester Research: Major IT research and advisory firm covering enterprise technology, including channel strategies. Comparable to RIS in serving IT vendors with research, but with a wider portfolio beyond channel-specific intelligence.

Direct peers

• IDC (International Data Corporation): Leading global provider of IT market intelligence, with particularly strong APAC coverage of channels, hardware, and software markets. Most direct peer to RIS given the APAC focus on IT channel and vendor intelligence.
• Canalys: Independent technology research firm with strong channel research and APAC presence, focused on IT distribution and partner ecosystems. Closest peer to RIS in terms of channel-specific research focus and APAC orientation.
• The 2112 Group: Research and advisory firm focused specifically on the IT channel, providing channel partner research, benchmarking, and education services. Highly comparable to RIS in niche channel intelligence, though primarily North America-focused.

Emerging players

• ABI Research: Technology research firm covering connectivity, IoT, and emerging technologies with channel-relevant intelligence. Comparable to RIS as a paid subscription research provider serving enterprise technology buyers.

Others

• CRN (Channel Futures): Leading media brand covering the IT channel, providing news, analysis, and research on channel partners and IT distribution. Comparable to RIS as a channel intelligence and content provider, though delivered via media rather than paid research subscriptions.
• CompTIA: Global IT industry association that produces channel research and industry intelligence, including the CompTIA Channel Communities. Comparable to RIS as a channel intelligence provider, but also operates as a certification and training body (overlaps with RIS's LMS arm).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rishklimited
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/RIS-Ltd/167532930030240
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ris-ltd-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RIS