SOFTWARE CATEGORIES

Best Application Integration Solution

Awards the solution best able to integrate multiple business applications.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use of development tools
Range of deployment options e.g. on premise, in the Cloud, virtualized
Range of enterprise systems and SaaS applications covered
Range of pre-packaged template integrations
Speed of implementation

Best Asset Management Solution

Awards the software solution that best audits and manages software assets. This award includes all solutions designed to audit software assets across a network environment.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manage lifecycle of strategic assets
Ease of Use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Strength of Discovery Tools
Strength of license management tools
Strength of metering tools

Best Business Intelligence or Knowledge Management Solution

Awards the software solution that best facilitates the analyzing of quantitative business data in order to enable business managers to make strategic decisions.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manipulate data
Ease of data extraction
Ease of data presentation
Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Range & ease of customizable features
Range of platforms covered

Best Business Productivity Solution

Awards the best software solution designed to enhance efficiency across a wide range of business types. Examples include contact managers, graphic/design programs, marketing automation tools, etc. Solutions should improve business productivity, increase individual productivity or improve overall organizational efficiency.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Integration with other products
Overall organizational efficiency
Overall productivity improvement
Range/types of platforms covered
User interface

Best Business Software Solution

Awards the solution that best exemplifies the value that software provides to business operations. This is the best-of-breed business software category and solutions may be nominated in any other business software category. Best example of software applications for any kind of business process or operation -- vertical or niche.

* Product must be nominated in another Software category to qualify for this category

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Overall impact on intended target's business processes
Overall richness of functionality for target market
Range/types of platforms covered
Value added to overall business operations for targeted market

Best Cloud Infrastructure Platform

Awards the service offering that includes software plus at least one of the other following offerings: computing hardware, storage, backup services, professional services, connectivity, content delivery, development environment and other services that best enable cloud services and applications to be delivered in a seamless, scalable and elastic manner over the web. Services must be provisioned and delivered over the web and must be scalable and elastic.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of provisioning
Impact on the cost of deployment in a Cloud environment
Impact on the performance (speed, security, and reliability)
Overall impact in improving the provisioning of applications in the Cloud
Specific impact on elasticity of provisioning (up and down)
Transparent and dynamic service level agreements

Best Cloud Infrastructure Software

Awards the software solution that best enables cloud services and applications to be delivered in a seamless, scalable and elastic manner over the web. Includes all software used to help deliver cloud services including dynamic provisioning, virtualization, billing, automatic deployment, load balancing and performance optimization.

Judges will be looking for:

Impact on the cost of deployment in a Cloud environment
Impact on the performance (speed, security, and reliability)
Overall impact in improving the provisioning of applications in the Cloud
Specific impact on elasticity of provisioning (up and down)

Best Collaboration Solution

Awards the software solution that best facilitates group interaction via the Internet. Includes groupware, real-time conferencing and collaboration over the Internet. This category also includes digital communities.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to facilitate communication
Ease of Customization
Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of product
Overall experience
Richness of functionality
Visual aesthetics

Best Communication Solution

Awards the software solution that best facilitates individual or group communication via the Internet. Includes e-mail software, instant messaging software, translation services, voice-over-IP, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to facilitate communication
Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of product
Overall experience
Visual aesthetics

Best Content Management Solution

Awards the software technology solution or platform that best adds value to content accessed or distributed by the enterprise or the end-user. Enables the creation, management and modification of information on the web, intranet, or other information resource. Includes content creation, categorization, workflow, publishing and delivery tools.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of posting and manipulation
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Management tools
Translations between different formats
User interface

Best Data Security Solution

Awards the software solution that best provides security to data. This includes anti-virus products, firewalls, encryption, intrusion detection, etc.

* Comprehensive security solutions (suites) should be nominated in the "Best Security Solution" category.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Management tools
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Robustness of offerings

Best Database Management Solution

Awards the best software solution for the storage, organization, management, search and retrieval of large quantities of data.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manipulate data
Ease of connection with applications
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Robustness of data extraction
Storage of data

Best Digital Rights Management Solution

Awards the solution that best allows the secure electronic purchase, distribution and subsequent use of software and/or information.

* See also under content category awards.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manage software compliance
Ability to offer a variety of sales features
Ease of use
Flexibility of providing various licensing/pricing options
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Strength of software protection and anti-piracy

Best Document Management Solution

Awards the best software solution for managing the document life cycle, including the processes of retrieving, sharing, tracking, revising, and distributing documents and the information they contain.

Judges will be looking for:

Digitization of documents
Document revision
Document storage
Document tracking
Ease of use
Indexing capabilities
Integration and use with other applications
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics

Best eCommerce Solution

Awards the software solution that best facilitates eCommerce functions. Includes personalization tools, shopping carts, comparison bots, order forms, and delivery processes, as well as other innovative features.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manage payment process
Access to information
Ease of use for the customer
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Process functionality

Best Enterprise Search Engine

Awards the service that best brings relevant information to users through the use of "Web crawlers," "spiders," or "robots," and/or sophisticated indexing and abstracting tools, and is licensed for use within corporate networks, intranets or portals.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Focus of search return
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Richness of search return

Best Financial Software Solution

Awards the best software solution that automates business financial management including AP/AR, general ledger, budgeting, resource allocation, reporting, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manipulate data
Ability to pull from disparate data sources
Ease of data presentation
Ease of use
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics

Best Human Capital Management Solution

Awards the best software solution that automates any aspect of human resources management including HRIS, benefits administration, recruiting, payroll, performance appraisal, asset management, etc. Can be distributed as a service (SaaS) or installed.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manipulate data and functionality of key attributes
Ability to pull from disparate date sources
Ease of use
Level of services provided compared to other similar programs
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
User interface

Best Identity Management Solution

Awards the software solution that best provides security to correctly identify authorized users. This includes user authentication solutions, virtual private networks etc.

* Comprehensive security solutions (suites) should be nominated in the "Best Enterprise Security Solution" category.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to efficiently manage large numbers of users
Ease of use
Management and alert tools
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Robustness of offering

Best Marketing Solution

Awards the best overall marketing solution for enterprises. The solution could be a platform of various marketing solutions or a compelling point solution that enhances marketing effectiveness or efficiency. Includes enterprise marketing management, campaign management, marketing specific asset management, multi media solutions, and all Web 2.0 marketing solutions.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease and completeness of integration into other applications
Ease of deployment and the speed of its time to value
Ease of use
Impact on the enterprise and its ability to drive revenue
Overall visual/esthetics

Best Mobile Enterprise Solution

Awards the best business software solution that leverages mobility, including software services or infrastructure solutions that enable access to multi-user software functionality and boosts the productivity and adaptability of a mobile devices for an entire company. Includes enterprise networking solutions and business apps accessible on multiple platforms.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to efficiently manage large numbers of users
Adherence to standards
Ease of use
Functionality of key attributes
Impact on business processes
Presentation of data and application functionality
Range of platforms covered

Best Mobile Experience

Awards the best business software application running on a mobile device for individual users that focuses on the functionality and productivity of the application.

* The app may or may not emphasize connectivity into a larger server/service infrastructure.
* Websites are not eligible.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to adapt to form factors
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Presentation of data and application functionality
Speed of access to data
User interface

Best Multi-Media Solution

Best solution that uses or manages multiple forms of digital content and information (e.g. text, audio, graphics, animation, video) to inform or entertain.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Entertainment/Informational experience
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Support for multiple media formats
User interface

Best Open Source Solution

Awards the best software solution developed from source code in either the pubic domain or licensed according to an open source license. Includes operating systems, databases, applications, infrastructure, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manipulate
Ease of use
Functionality of key attributes
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Robustness of offering

Best Project Management Solution

Awards the software solution that best automates the management of project-based business activities. The category includes: project management software, project accounting, project estimating, project portfolio management, project scheduling, requirements management, bug and defect tracking and resource planning and scheduling software.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Functionality of key attributes
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Robustness of offering

Best Relationship Management Solution

Awards the best software solution designed to expand a company's knowledge about, and relationship with, its current or potential customers and/or partners. Includes CRM, PRM, SFA, marketing automation, personalization products and services.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability of multiple parties to access and alter data
Ease of use
Integration of data sources
Mobility
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Speed of updates
User interface

Best Security Solution

Awards the product or service that provides the best overall security solution for an enterprise or large network. This solution should include authentication, firewalls, virtual private networks, encryption, intrusion detection, policy-based management, managed services, anti-virus products, etc.

* Digital Rights Management solutions should be nominated in the "Best Digital Rights Management Solution" category.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to process security of an entire enterprise
Ability to stop intrusion
Management and alert tools
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Robustness of offering

Best Social Networking Solution

Awards the product or service that provides the best online social network for communities of people who share interests and activities. Most social network services are primarily web based and provide a collection of various ways for users to interact, such as chat, messaging, e-mail, video, voice chat, file sharing, blogging, discussion groups, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of Use
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Robustness of Features
Support for interaction

Best Software as a Service Solution

Awards the best software service solution hosted and accessible through the Internet or an internal network. Includes any type of service (e.g. productivity applications, human resources, accounting, budgeting, sales force automation, Internet marketing & advertising services, transaction processes, etc.) managed by a provider and utilized by businesses over the Internet or an internal network.

* Product must be nominated in another Software category to qualify for this category

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of Customization
Ease of use
Functionality of key attributes
Integration with data sources
Overall fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Speed
User interface

Best Software Development Solution

Awards the best programming language, application or development tool(s) for software or online use. Includes toolkits, diagnostic programs, IDE, applet and plug-in development tools, database development programs, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to manipulate data and code
Ability to publish
Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Programming tools

Best Software Testing Solution

Awards the best solution developed to test the functionality of a software product or service or a segment of code.

Judges will be looking for:

Benchmarking
Compliance ability
Diagnostics
Ease of use
Efficiency
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Problem solutions
Problem spotting

Best Storage Software Solution

Awards the best solution that manages the remote storage of, retrieval and access to information and data across networks. Includes SANs, storage infrastructure, NASs, backup and recovery, clustering, resource management and performance products.

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Maximization of space
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Scalability
Speed of access

Best Supply Chain Solution

Best solution for coordination and collaboration with suppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers, and customers. Supply chain management (SCM) is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the operations of the supply chain with the purpose to satisfy customer requirements as efficiently as possible. Supply chain management spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point-of-origin to point-of-consumption.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate with other systems
Ease of Use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Process Functionality
User Interface

Best Solution by an Emerging Company

Awards the best overall software solution brough to market by an "emerging business". To qualify, companies must be less than 5 years old and less than $15 million in revenues.

Judges will be looking for:

The overall quality of the product in terms of ease of use and stability
The strengh of the products impact on its market-place and customers
The uniqueness of the product

Best Systems Management Solution

Awards the tool that best assists system administrators manage and monitor networks. Includes performance monitors, system management, load-balancing tools, user analysis tools, web site administration utilities, caching software and content delivery networks.

Judges will be looking for:

Cross-platform compatibility
Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics

Best Web Services Solution

Awards the solution that best connects disparate applications and data across an enterprise or between enterprises using web services standards such as SOAP, XML and WDSL. Includes Web services enabling technologies, infrastructure, middleware, system integration tools, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Adherence to standards
Cross-platform compatibility
Ease of use
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Overall visual/program aesthetics

EDUCATION CATEGORIES

Best Classroom Management Solution

Awards the best classroom management system designed for preK-12 educators. Includes data management and reporting tools including gradebooks, standards alignment tools, packages that link data and resources to instruction and other platform tools that take user content. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, multimedia package, handheld device, or online.

Judges will be looking for:

Customizable for different user needs and education outcomes
Positive impact on classroom management process
Produces useful reports to intended users
Provides easy access to student and/or course data
Provides straightforward methods from bringing in curriculum, content, data or standards information
Short learning curve

Best Corporate Learning Solution

Awards the best technology platform, service or provider that supports the continuing education of corporate employees via electronic means. Includes learning management systems, and content development, delivery and packaging tools. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Assessment tools
Ease of use
Functionality of key attributes
Learner receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building their skills and strategies
Overall visual/program aesthetics
User interface

Best Course Management Solution

Awards the best course management system designed for preK-12 educators. Includes curriculum-based content, diagnostic and remediation programs, data management and reporting tools. Includes course and content-based learning management systems used by students. Delivery is by CD, DVD, multimedia package, handheld device, or online.

Judges will be looking for:

Customizable for different user needs and education outcomes
Produces useful reports to intended users
Provides easy access to student and/or course data
Provides straightforward methods from bringing in curriculum, content, data or standards information
Recognizable and postive impact on course development and implementation processes
Short learning curve

Best Education Community Solution

Awards the best educational website designed to provide social networking and education community support for preK-20 students, teachers and administrators. Includes teacher communication, collaboration and planning tools and wikis and other Web 2.0 solutions.

* Product may not be nominated in the "Best Education Reference or Search Service" category.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities and/or to teachers with diverse instructional settings
Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated educational users and needs, grade levels or subject areas
Effective and easy-to-use web design
The information provided is neither useful or apparent

Best Education Game or Simulation

Awards the best overall education game or simulation solution for 2008. This solution reflects instructional goals for students, teachers, or administrators in preK-20 education and is suitable for the classroom, administrative office or home. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia package.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
Ease of use
Effective use of technology
Impact on learning
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Provides levels of challenge for the user
Richness of functionality
Self-directed with feedback and support for user

Best Education Reference or Search Service

Awards the service that EITHER best packages reference, library or research information, OR best brings relevant information to educational users. This service can include EITHER content, such as encyclopedias, maps, databases and source material OR indexing and abstracting tools, such as Web crawlers, spiders, or robots. Primary use should be in educational settings, either preK-12 or postsecondary.

* Product may not be nominated in the "Best Online Instructional Solution" category.

Judges will be looking for:

Customization features
Ease of use
Focus of search return
Navigation
Payment methods (if applicable)
Richness of search return
Use of graphics

Best Education Solution

Awards the best overall education technology solution. This solution may be instructional, administrative, or for increased productivity at the preK-12 or postsecondary level. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, or multimedia packages.

* Product must be nominated in another Education category to qualify for this category

Judges will be looking for:

Ease of use
Effective use of technology
Fulfillment of key attributes
Functionality of key attributes
Impact on education processes
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Range of platforms covered
Richness of functionality

Best Education Solution for Mobile or Hand-held Device

Awards the best software application or service for mobile tools for students, educators or administrators. This solution may be instructional, administrative, or for productivity/creativity for preK-12 or postsecondary levels. Includes delivery via PDA's, smart phones, netbooks, tablets, or laptops.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use for a mobile/handheld device
Overall program aesthetics is visually pleasing
Software design successfully targets designated user needs
User interface is appropriate for intended audience

Best Education Technology Solution for Productivity/Creativity

Awards the best software tool for students, educators or administrators in preK-12 or postsecondary for document creation, graphics design, work organization, problem solving or web development. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
Effective use of technology
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Provides information and support for users
User receives feedback and support in the process of creating documents, designs, projects or products

Best Educational Use of a Technology Device

Awards the best educational software solution, either curriculum or administrative, designed for technology hardware devices, including handhelds, PDAs, tablets, laptops, interactive white board or integrated hardware/software solutions. This solution may be designed for preK-12 or postsecondary.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for users in diverse instructional settings
Appropriate use of a technology device
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Provides information and support for users
Software design successfully targets designated student or educator needs

Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas

Awards the best education technology solution for students in grades preK-12 in non-core curriculum areas. Content solutions include art, foreign language, music, technology or multi-disciplinary topics. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

* Product may not be nominated in the Best Reading/English Instructional Solution, Best Mathematics Instructional Solution, Best Science Instructional Solution or Best Social Studies Instructional Solution categories.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated content area and grade levels
Effective use of technology
Instruction and content are designed to deepen student knowledge and skills
Instructional strategies appropriate for all learning styles and abilities
Provides teacher support
Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies and concepts

Best Instructional Solution for Special Needs Students

Awards the best instructional solution specifically designed to benefit students with unique educational needs, including those with physical or learning disabilities or those who are gifted and talented in preK-12 or postsecondary. Includes solutions that are 508 compliant and delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

* This category is for content/curriculum products. Instructional Management products directed toward special needs students should be nominated in the "Best Course/Classroom Management Solution" category.

** ESL products should be nominated in the "Best Reading/English Instructional Solution� category.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated special needs or disabilities
Provides teacher support
Strategies are appropriate for students with unique learning styles and abilities
Student receives feedback and reinforcement
Technology is accessible and adaptable for students

Best K-12 Enterprise Solution

Awards the best business management tool that supports education enterprises at preK-12 or postsecondary levels, including transportation, human resources, security, food services, financial services, data mining, data analysis, network services, special ed funding, IED tracking, etc. This solution, delivered by the internet or by network, will also best enable data exchange, processing and reporting. Product may or may not be SIF Compliant.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate data and information from various sources
Customizable for different user needs and education missions
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Produces useful reports to intended users
Provides easy access to student and/or course data
Short learning curve

Best K-12 Instructional Solution

Awards the best school-based education technology solution for curriculum and content that is specifically targeted toward students in preK-12 learning environments. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated content area levels and topics
Effective use of technology
Instruction and content are designed to deepen student knowledge and skills for designated topics
Instructional strategies appropriate for all learning styles and abilities
Provides teacher support
Strategies and concepts
Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills

Best Mathematics Instructional Solution

Awards the best school-based education technology solution for mathematics curriculum and content for students in grades preK-20. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated mathematics levels and topics
Effective use of technology
Instruction and content are designed to deepen student knowledge and skills for designated topics
Instructional strategies appropriate for all learning styles and abilities
Provides teacher support
Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies and concepts

Best Online Instructional Solution

Awards the best educational website designed to provide instructional support for preK-12 students, teachers and administrators. Includes teacher communication and/or lesson planning tools and wikis.

* Product may not be nominated in the "Best Education Reference or Search Service" category.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities and/or to teachers with diverse instructional settings
Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated educational users and needs, grade levels or subject areas
Effective and easy-to-use web design
Provides useful information to students and teachers

Best Postsecondary Course or Learning Management Solution

Awards the best postsecondary technology solution with tools that aids course development and knowledge management to build undergraduate and graduate level courses.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate content into platform or management tool
Appropriate use of graphics
Compliance with industry standards and requirements for accessibility
Flexible for diverse audiences and education missions
Provides customizable features
Supports easy navigation to end user

Best Postsecondary Enterprise Solution

Awards the best non-instructional business management tool that supports education enterprises at the postsecondary level, including human resources, security, food services, scheduling and registration services, financial aid services, data mining, data analysis, network services, etc. This solution, delivered by the internet or by network, will also best enable data exchange, processing and reporting.

Judges will be looking for:

Compliance with industry standards and requirements for accessibility
Creates unified online presence
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Provides customizable features
Supports easy navigation to end user

Best Postsecondary Instructional Solution

Awards the best postsecondary technology solution for curriculum and content that is specifically targeted toward students in college learning environments, including undergraduate and graduate level courses. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use of graphics
Compliance with industry standards and requirements for accessibility
Content is current and well-sourced
Customizable for diverse audiences and education missions
Effective use of technology
Instructional design and content appropriate for different learning styles, subject area and ages
Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies and concepts in designated content

Best Professional Development Solution

Awards the best education technology product or service designed to support professional development for teachers/instructors or administrators in preK-12 or postsecondary settings. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for educators in diverse instructional settings
Content and instructional design successfully targets designated educator needs
Educator receives feedback and support in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Provides information and support for educators
Short learning curve

Best Reading/English Instructional Solution

Awards the best school-based education technology solution for language arts/reading/English curriculum and content for K-12 and postsecondary students. Includes solutions for native and non-native English speakers at all levels and delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
Content successfully targets designated English language acquisition needs, grade levels or subject areas
Effective use of technology
Provides information and support for teachers
Student receives feedback and support in the process of building English skills, strategies and concepts

Best Science Instructional Solution

Awards the best school-based education technology solution for science or health curriculum and content for students in preK-20. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated comprehension levels and topics
Effective use of technology
Instruction and content are designed to deepen student knowledge and skills for designated topics
Instructional strategies appropriate for all learning styles and abilities
Provides teacher support
Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies and concepts

Best Social Studies Instructional Solution

Awards the best school-based education technology solution for social studies curriculum or content for students in grades preK-20. Social studies curriculum may include, but is not limited to history, sociology and geography. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated comprehension levels and topics
Effective use of technology
Instruction and content are designed to deepen student knowledge and skills for designated topics
Instructional strategies appropriate for all learning styles and abilities
Provides teacher support
Student receives feedback and reinforcement in process of building skills, strategies and concepts

Best Student Assessment Solution

Awards the best stand-alone computer-based or online solution for high-stakes assessments/preparation for high-stakes tests at the K-12 or postsecondary levels. Includes delivery by CD, DVD, online, handheld or multimedia packages for use in either formative or summative assessments.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
Overall visual/program aesthetics
Provides teacher support for use in the classroom
Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building their test-taking skills and strategies
Teachers and administrators receive useful reports

Best Virtual School Solution for Students

Awards the online educational solution that best delivers courses or degree programs over the Internet. Can be designed for tutoring, home-schooling, Advance Placement course work, credit recovery, additional instructional support, personalized learning environments, or college credit and targets K-12 or postsecondary students.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
Appropriate use of graphics
Content successfully targets designated grade levels or subject areas
Provides information and support for parents
Software is self-directed
Student receives feedback and support in the process of building skills, strategies and concepts

CONTENT CATEGORIES

Best Content Aggregation Service

Awards the best service that combines third-party content for distribution for wholesale or retail markets. Services may be directed toward other sites and services, or directly toward end-users. Aggregated content may include news, business publications, journals, periodicals, company information, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Delivery Options
Depth & Breadth of coverage
Valued-added Features

Best Medical and Health Information Product

Awards the best medical and/or health related information solutions used by professional medical/health staff.

* Consumer-based products should be nominated in the �Best Online Consumer Information Service� category.

Judges will be looking for:

Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Richness of content
Search capabilities

Best Online Business Information Service

Awards the best online service that delivers comprehensive company, business and/or industry information. Includes company profiles, people, financial data, analyst reports, niche business oriented publications, market research, etc. Service may include news, but that should not be its primary focus.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate into work flow
Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Search capabilities
Timeliness (if applicable)

Best Online Consumer Information Service

Awards the best online service and/or website with specific focus on information targeted toward individuals, consumers, hobbyists and home users. Includes travel, sports, consumer medical reference, tax preparation, etc. Excludes services whose primary focus is news.

Judges will be looking for:

Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Search capabilities
Timeliness (if applicable)

Best Online Directory & Business Leads Service

Awards the online service for comprehensiveness, usability, in providing directory and/or business lead data.

Judges will be looking for:

Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of integration into workflow
Ease of use
Features
Industry coverage
Timeliness (if applicable)

Best Online General Reference Service

Awards the online service that best packages reference information. Includes encyclopedias, maps, wikis, etc. for home or business use.

Judges will be looking for:

Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Search capabilities
Timeliness (if applicable)

Best Online Government Information Service

Awards the online service that best utilizes information in the public domain. Includes services whose primary content source(s) include: legislative, regulatory and legal content; public record databases, government reports and data.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate into work flow
Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Search capabilities
Timeliness (if applicable)

Best Online News Service

Awards the best online service focused on current awareness, as opposed to breaking news. Service may be from original publishers or distributors, and must clearly be focused on the delivery of news.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate into work flow
Alert products
Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Search capabilities
Timeliness

Best Online Professional Financial Information Service

Awards the best online service providing financial or market data information and/or news for professional markets, including trading, small business and high-end individuals utilizing professional services. Includes real-time market data, financial news services, market indices and analysis, credit services, company information and commentary relating to stocks, bonds and markets.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate into work flow
Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Search capabilities
Timeliness (if applicable)

Best Online Science or Technology Service

Awards the online service that best conveys information to scientific or technology professionals. Includes journals, chemical properties data, developments in computer and software technology, geophysical data, patents, standards and specifications, technical papers and reports.

Judges will be looking for:

Ability to integrate into work flow
Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall design
Search capabilities
Timeliness (if applicable)

Best Social Media Aggregation Service

Awards the service that best organizes social media content for ease-of-use. Services may be directed toward other social media sites and services or directly toward end-users. May include original content.

Judges will be looking for:

Delivery Options
Depth & Breadth of coverage
Features
Overall experience
Technological flexibility
User friendliness
Visual aesthetics

Best Solution Integrating Content into Workflow

Awards the best product, service, or application integrating content into a workflow application such as CRM, legal, scientific, financial planning and analysis, etc. Can be nominated as an end-user application or service or as a customized solution using APIs or other links into content.

Judges will be looking for:

Customization or personalization
Ease of use
Features
Innovation
ROI or productivity improvement
Seamless integration
Value-add

Best Vertical Market Business Content Solution

Awards the online service that best serves any specific vertical or niche market. Includes architecture/construction; real estate; automotive; chemical; food production/processing/packaging/service; graphics/printing/publishing; healthcare; hospitality; manufacturing; retail; transportation/logistics, etc.

Judges will be looking for:

Content relevance/focus within the targeted market or niche
Navigation
Personalization
Timeliness
Unique Content

Best Video Content Aggregation Service

Awards the best service for distribution of licensed video and/or user generated video for distribution direct to end-users or other third party distribution services. Aggregation Service should provide video upload and player tools.

Judges will be looking for:

Alert products
Content relevance
Customization or personalization
Delivery options
Depth of coverage
Ease of use
Features
Overall experience
Search capabilities
Timeliness
User friendliness
Visual aesthetics

Best Workforce Training Solution

Awards the best software or online product/service to instruct line employees in a body of specific, job-related knowledge. Examples could include training in: workplace safety, welding techniques, hazardous substances handling, machinery operation, safe driving for truckers, electrical circuits, emergency response training.

Judges will be looking for:

Appropriateness for intended industry/audience
Content comprehensiveness
Ease of use
Graphics
Navigation
Scope of coverage within topic(s)
Tracking/administrative features
Usability/flexibility for trainers