Categories

For more than 25 years, the SIIA CODiE Awards have showcased excellence and remarkable achievement in the software and information industries. To this day, they remain our industries’ only peer-recognized awards program.

Content Categories

Best Advertising or Campaign Management Platform

Recognizes the best Advertising or Campaign Management Platform specifically designed for media companies, publishers & information providers to help organizations manage their marketing and advertising execution with greater efficiency. Nominees may submit solutions that help marketers to increase monetization of their content library, decrease the time to plan and execute a campaign, improve media-buy tactics, or otherwise enhance the campaign process.

• Content Depth - Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the product or platform likely to cause a groundbreaking change in how professionals perform their work?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported.
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility - How easy is it for the customer to modify the platform th meet their needs?
• Relevant to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Business Directory

Recognizes the best Business Directory for use by consumers or other business professionals. Nominees may submit solutions developed for online or for mobile applications and can be developed for the broader market or customized based on a specific user community or vertical market.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the business directory solution innovative in how it serves it's user community?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Search capabilities
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Business Information Solution

Recognizes the Best Business Information solution for utilization by business professionals --- sales, marketing, strategy, business development, research or other departments within a corporation. Nominees may submit solutions that help professionals with their daily job functions. These solutions could include business and vertical-industry news, market research solutions, company, business and/or industry information, and data. It could also Include market data, company information, executive profiles, financial data, analyst reports, vertical segment information, niche business oriented publications, market research, etc.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is this likely to cause groundbreaking change in how business professionals use information products or perform their work?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility - Is the solution made available through the delivery platforms (e.g., web, mobile optimized web, smartphone app, tablet app, e-reader, etc.) appropriate to the use case (i.e., the target audience and target use as ind
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Consumer Information Resource

Recognizes the best Consumer Service created by a media company, publisher or information provider, with a specific focus on information targeted toward individual consumers, making innovative use of technology and business models to create a successful business. Nominees may include online and web-based services focused on travel, sports, consumer medical reference, general reference, tax preparation, and other information resources that consumers utilize.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the service likely to cause groundbreaking change for the individual it aims to serve?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Mobile – Is the resource taking advantage of mobile? Emphasis on functionality, geolocation, etc.
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Social sharing functionality - Does the resource include social sharing?
• User Experience & Usability - How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Content Analytics Solution

Recognizes the best Content Analytics solution aimed at helping publishers, media companies and information services providers understand content utilization and data. Nominees may submit analytics solutions that include proprietary platforms and algorithmic software that measure, evaluate and analyze content and data.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the directory likely to cause groundbreaking change in how business professionals use information products or perform their work?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility - Is the solution made available through the delivery platforms (e.g., web, mobile optimized web, smartphone app, tablet app, e-reader, etc.) appropriate to the use case (i.e., the target audience and target use as ind
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Content Rights and Delivery Solution

Recognizes the innovative Content Delivery solution that best enables the secure electronic rental or purchase, distribution and subsequent reuse of software and/or information. Nominees may submit apps or other solutions that are designed for businesses to use, with authorization, within their media, publishing or information services. Also, technology solutions that include technologies for enabling rights awareness, licensing, anti-plagiarism, reuse and republication, watermarking and content fingerprinting, content rental, secure viewing, as well as facilitating authorized content distribution. Whether browser-based, or mobile, within social media and/or in other channels.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Rights Awareness - Is rights awareness, or richness of permissions options provided?
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Crowd Sourced Solution

Recognizes the best Crowd Sourcing products or services designed for use by media companies, publishers & information providers. Nominees may submit solutions that are managed services, enterprise platforms or those that supply labor pools. The nominees' solutions can address micro-tasking, creative or engineering needs and the like.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution or product likely to cause groundbreaking change in how consumers or busines professionals use crowd sourcing?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best eCommerce & Billing Platform

Recognizes the best eCommerce & Billing Platform specifically designed for media, publishers & information providers. Nominees may submit solutions that support revenue collection such as subscription billing, single issue and content sales and/or specialty billing for media, publishers and information providers. Solutions may include online, mobile, social media and other channels their end-users and customers utilize.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the platform likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Financial & Market Data Information Solution

Recognizes the best Financial & Market Data Information Solution designed for professionals in the financial and capital markets industries. Nominees may submit solutions that provide financial, market data and related information for market practitioners. Includes real-time data services, financial news services, market analysis, credit services, capital markets and/or merger and acquisition information.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best General Reference Service

Recognizes the best General Reference Service for use by business professionals or consumers. Nominees may submit solutions that Includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, maps, wikis, question and answer services or other reference information via online, mobile or other platforms.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the service likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Search capabilities
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Governance, Risk and Compliance Solution

Recognizes the best Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Information solution that provides industry-leading audit, risk and compliance solutions and/or expert insights that enable businesses to connect regulatory developments with internal policy systems, organizational risks and controls, and regulatory training. Nominees may submit solutions that focus on areas such as business and regulatory issues, connecting financial goals to regulatory obligations, financial compliance products, managing anti-money laundering, "know-your-customer" processes and/or efficiently linking corporate activities to audit and reporting requirements.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization - Is the level of customization appropriate to the audience and use case presented?
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Lead Generation Solution

Recognizes the best Lead Generation solution which serves to generate inbound leads for businesses by providing compelling information via online/web, mobile/apps or social media content to consumers or business professionals. Nominees may submit solutions that are aimed at generating either B2B or B2C leads and can include services geared for specific communities and verticals. Please note that this category is aimed at services which generate leads through visitors to their websites or mobile apps. It is NOT focused on outbound marketing and database applications used to source prospects, which have their own category.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Search capabilities
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Legal Information Solution

Recognizes the best Legal Information Solution designed for the legal professional. Nominees may submit solutions that provide access to primary and secondary legal research sources; business & practice performance development tools as well as litigation support, workflow, and e-discovery solutions designed for the legal profession.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Media & Information Monitoring Solution

Recognizes the best solution for capturing and analyzing content, editorial opinion, or advertising across online, mobile, social and other media. Nominees may submit solutions that include documentation, content, analysis, or editorial opinion, specifically or widely. Solution may specialize coverage by media, subject, industry, size, geography, publication, journalist, or editor.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Search capabilities
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Medical Information Solution

Recognizes the best solution for medical and health information professionals or consumers. Nominees may submit solutions that include medical research, health news, clinical decision support (including evidenced-based medicine, patient care plans, and guidelines), professional or consumer health workflow, patient engagement, pharmaceutical analytics, and health rating information.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Press Release Distribution Solution

Recognizes the Best Press Release Distribution Solution that supports text, photos or videos that are sent to news for distribution. Nominees may submit solutions that range from local to international distribution and offer unique & flexible distribution options, an effective media network, reviews/credentials of media & bloggers, and/or other features such as search engine optimization.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Sales & Marketing Intelligence Solution

Recognizes the best Sales & Marketing Intelligence solution which is used by marketing, business development and sales professionals to target potential sales prospects. Sales & Marketing Intelligence solutions may include prospecting databases, match & append services, sales analytics and other tools used by sales and marketing professionals to more effectively target their audiences.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Scholarly Publishing Information Solution

Recognizes the best information solution for all scholarly professionals or consumers. Nominees may have solutions that include any content type (e.g., ebooks, journals, technical papers and reports, data collections, records, trends, news, guidelines, standards and specifications) and/or provide access to that content through their product offering or a platform. All scholarly disciplines are included.

• Business Impact
• Content Depth and Accuracy - Does the content incorporated within this solution address the depth of information required to serve the audience and use case as indicated in previous criteria?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented?
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this solution appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the product likely to cause groundbreaking change in how professionals use information products or perform their work?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility - Is the product made available through the delivery platforms (e.g., web, mobile optimized web, smartphone app, tablet app, e-reader, etc.) appropriate to the use case (i.e., the target audience and target use as indi
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer - Based on the nominee's defined audience and audience need, how relevant is the product to meeting that need for that group?
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Science and Technology Information Solution

Recognizes the best information solution for science, engineering, and technology professionals or consumers. Nominees may have solutions that include any content type (e.g., ebooks, journals, technical papers and reports, data collections, records, trends, news, guidelines, standards and specifications) and/or provide access to that content through their product offering or a platform. All scientific, engineering and technology disciplines are included.

• Business Impact
• Content Depth and Accuracy - Does the content incorporated within this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience and use case as indicated in previous criteria? Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the product likely to cause groundbreaking change in how professionals use information products or perform their work?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility - Is the product made available through the delivery platforms (e.g., web, mobile optimized web, smartphone app, tablet app, e-reader, etc.) appropriate to the use case (i.e., the target audience and target use as indi
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer - Based on the nominee's defined audience and audience need, how relevant is the product to meeting that need for that group?
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Search Technology Solution

Recognizes the best search platform designed for media, publishers & content providers. Nominees may include enterprise search solutions for media, publishers & content providers for use on their websites, mobile or other channels to facilitate finding information by their end-users or customers.

• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Faceted Search Capabilities
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Flexibility & Accessibility
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the platform likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Offers Faceted Search Capabilities
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Taxonomies
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Semantic Technology platform, tools and applications

Recognizes the best Semantic Technology company that provides either a platform, tool and or applications specifically designed for media, publishers & information providers. Nominees may include solutions that range from automated tagging and analysis, semantic advertising, the aggregation and visualization to content enrichment and can be industry focused (e.g. scientific) or designed for general or broad information.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the platform likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Search capabilities
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Service Using Aggregated Content

Recognizes the best aggregation solution that gathers or collects information from disparate sources for reuse, resale, or distribution in an integrated experience, utilized by business users or consumers. Nominees may submit solutions that support and provide actionable understanding of end-user and customer behavior on media, publishers & information provider web, mobile and application offerings.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Social Media Platform

Recognizes the best social media technology products specifically designed for media companies, publishers & information providers. Nominees may include vendors whose products are designed for the different stages of the social marketing process including platforms for social listening (monitor what is being said), social reach (reach new audiences through social), social depth (add social to your website), social relationship (engage on social networks), social measurements (add analytics to the aggregated social media data), as well as integrated social content management software.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the platform likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Search capabilities
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Solution for Integrating Content into the Workflow

Recognizes the best solution for integrating content into an end-user workflow. Nominees may include complete end-to-end user applications, and integration of content and/or new features into an existing solution for any professional (e.g., Sales, Legal, Financial, Scientific, Medical, etc.).

• Business Impact
• Content: Depth and Accuracy - Does the content incorporated within this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience and use case as indicated in previous criteria? Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the product likely to cause groundbreaking change in how professionals use information products or perform their work?
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility - Is the product made available through the delivery platforms (e.g., web, mobile optimized web, smartphone app, tablet app, e-reader, etc.) appropriate to the use case (i.e., the target audience and target use as indi
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer - Based on the nominee's defined audience and audience need, how relevant is the product to meeting that need for that group?
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Syndication Platform

Recognizes the best Syndication Platform enabling media, publishing and information companies to combine their own content with third party data and distribution networks. Nominees may include solutions that gather news, articles, blogs, social media or other content from media, publishers & information providers and could include text, video and other media for distribution of that content to other information or software providers. Nominees will be judged based on how well their solution works for the media, publishers and information providers, rather than being based on the perspective of the end-user.

• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Ease of Use (for the provider) - How easy is it for the content owner to input their content into the platform?, How automated is the process? Are any special steps required to prepare content for the platform? How much ongoing maintenance is required fro
• Effectiveness - How well does the platform perform do in delivering the right content to the target market? How well is the provider's brand retained in the syndicated service. ( i.e. how easy is it for the end user to see where the content came from?)
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the solution likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Tracking and reporting - How well does the platform track and report on where the provider's content is being consumed. How sophisticated is the platform in controlling distribution to the providers specified market? How cost effective is the service (pr
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Video Platform for Media & Publishers

Recognizes the best Video Platform specifically designed for media, publishers & information providers dedicated to publishing, distributing and/or monetizing video assets. Nominees may submit video platform solutions that include: hosting, video management and delivery, content management, tools for uploading, encoding, managing content, mobile and other cross-platform capabilities, moderation and review, distribution and syndication tools and/or tools for monetizing media assets or growing an audience specifically designed for media, publishers & information providers.

• Analytics Capability - Can the user track media usage metrics, and/or traffic to media assets? Can it measure play time or other engagement metrics, and does it offer customization options (i.e. how long must a video be watched to constitute a play)?Does
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the platform likely to cause groundbreaking change for its users?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How difficult is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Best Web Content Management Platform

Recognizes the best software or platform that enables the creation, management, modification and delivery of information on the web. Nominees should be focused on Web Content Management (WCM), not Enterprise Content Management (ECM), document management or portals, and should also be multi-channel (web, mobile, social, etc.). Nominees should integrate with other technologies (CDNs, DAM, marketing automation, web analytics, internal systems, blog platforms, etc.). There is no preference for best-of-breed vs suite, but the best WCM solutions support web experience / engagement management (WEM) strategies, and can be either installed software or cloud (SaaS) model.

• Content Depth and Accuracy - Is the content accurate and timely for the stated use case? Does this product address the depth of information required to serve the audience?
• Customization or personalization - Is the level of customization/personalization appropriate to the audience and use case presented? Judge this category based both on the level of customization as well as the methods by which customization/personalization
• Feature Set - Does the feature set incorporated within this product appropriately meet the needs of the audience and use case indicated in previous criteria?
• Groundbreaking & Significance of Innovation - Is the platform likely to cause groundbreaking change in how professionals use information products or perform their work?
• Innovation of Business Model / Go-To-Market Approach
• Interoperability - Where appropriate with respect to the audience and use case, can this product be integrated with other relevant systems OR can the content and/or data within the product be exported?
• Platform Flexibility & Accessibility
• Relevance to Target Audience/Customer
• Usability - Can the user easily and efficiently interact with the product features, content, etc.? How easy is it for the user to achieve their desired result?

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Education Categories

Best Campus Academic Management Solutions

Recognizes the best teaching and learning platform designed for postsecondary educators to manage curriculum-based content, student access and use, diagnostic and remediation programs, and data management and reporting tools. Includes enterprise e-Learning platforms or course and content-based learning management systems used by students.

• Ability to integrate content seamlessly into platform or management tool
• Compliance with industry standards and requirements for accessibility
• Customizable for different user needs and education outcomes
• Flexible for diverse audiences and education missions
• Navigation within the solution

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Best Classroom Management Solution

Recognizes the best system designed for PK-12 educators that provides any or all of the following: student information systems, data management and reporting tools, grade books, standards (including Common Core) alignment tools, packages that link data and resources to instruction, and other platform tools that take user content.

• Customizable for different user needs and education outcomes
• Positive impact on classroom management process
• Produces useful reports for 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 for the user

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Best Collaboration Solution for Students

Recognizes the best online system designed to provide social learning, collaboration, and education community support for PK-12 or postsecondary students. Includes tools for student communication, resource centers, collaboration and planning tools, blogs, wikis, and other interactive, social media solutions.

• Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities and diverse learning situations
• Complete and appropriate feature Set
• Effective and easy-to-use web design
• Supports customization or personalization
• Supports social learning and/or collaboration tools for the education user

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Best Collaborative Social Media Solution for Educators

Recognizes the best online system designed to provide social learning, collaborative and community support for PK-12 or postsecondary education faculty and administration. Includes tools for communication, professional learning experiences, resource centers, collaboration and planning tools, and other interactive, social media solutions.

• A full and rich feature set
• Content and/or information successfully targets designated educational users and needs, levels, or topic areas
• Effective and easy-to-use web design
• Supports customization and personalization by the user
• Supports social learning and/or collaboration tools for the education user

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Best Corporate Learning/Workforce Development Solution

Recognizes the best platform, service or provider that supports the efforts of organizations (business, government, academia) to educate employees in a body of specific knowledge that aids in the successful execution of an employee's job. Includes applications that educate on internal processes, practices, expectations, and objectives or train on workplace safety, technical assignments, hazardous material management, machinery operation, or emergency response training. Includes learning management systems, and content development, delivery and packaging tools.

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

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Best Cross-Curricular Solution

Recognizes the best software tool for students, educators, or administrators that can be used in multiple curriculum areas in the PK-12 or postsecondary market. Includes language literacy or productivity and creativity solutions that support instruction or management across different courses or subject areas, such as career planning, document creation, graphic design, workflow, problem solving, or web development.

• Applicable for use in multiple curriculum areas or courses
• Appropriate for users with diverse learning styles and abilities
• Effective use of technology
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• User receives feedback and support in the process of creating documents or projects

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Best Education Cloud-based Solution

Recognizes the best cloud-based solution that is always available to educational users regardless of location, is multi-platform, and provides ubiquitous access to faculty, administration, and students. Provides all applications and files for anywhere, anytime availability with an Internet connection, using devices at home or at school, from desktops to laptops to tablets or smartphones.

• Administrative controls and reporting support the education market
• Service level agreement coverage
• The cost/benefit to providing the solution in the Cloud
• The level of customization features
• The level of reporting and analytics
• The solution is scalable (up and down) as needed

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Best Education Reference Solution

Recognizes the service that best packages reference, library or research information for educational purposes in the PK-12 and/or postsecondary markets. This service can include content such as encyclopedias, maps, databases and source material.

• Appropriate use of graphics
• Ease of use and implementation
• Navigation within the solution
• Range and ease of customization
• Richness of information

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Best Educational App for a Mobile Device

Recognizes the best curriculum or administrative native app, designed for either PK-12 or postsecondary markets, that is delivered via smartphones or tablets.

• Appropriate use for a mobile/handheld device
• Mobile platform capability
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• The app successfully targets designated user needs
• User interface is appropriate for intended audience

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Best Game-based Curriculum Solution

Recognizes the best curriculum solution that uses gaming elements as an integral component of a curriculum or assessment product. Designed for PK-12, postsecondary, or adult students to enable them to learn / apply concepts by using a compelling game environment that is academically and pedagogically sound over a period of time.

• Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
• Ease of use and implementation during the extended period of time
• Effective use of technology
• Impact on learning
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• Provides levels of challenge for the student
• Self-directed with feedback and support for the student

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Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas

Recognizes the best application focusing on non-core curriculum areas for students in the PK-12 or postsecondary market. These areas include art, foreign language, music, technology, engineering, computer science, vocational/career planning, or multi-disciplinary topics.

• Appropriate use of graphics
• Content successfully targets designated content area and 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 educator/faculty support
• Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts

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Best K-12 Course or Learning Management Solution

Recognizes the best digital learning environment/system designed for K-12 educators to manage curriculum-based content, student access and use, diagnostic and remediation programs, data management and reporting tools. Includes course and content-based learning management systems used by students.

• 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 positive impact on course development and implementation processes
• Short learning curve

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Best K-12 Enterprise Solution

Recognizes the best business management application or service that supports education enterprises in the PK-12 market, including transportation, human resources, talent management, security, food services, digital communication/security solutions, scheduling and registration services, data mining, data analysis, student information systems, network services, special ed funding tracking, IEP tracking, etc. This solution, delivered by the Internet or a network, will also best enable data exchange, processing and reporting.

• 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 data
• Short learning curve

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Best Learning Game

Recognizes the best supplemental educational game designed as an app or software to be used in a short time frame (2-4 hours) for PK-12, postsecondary, or adult markets. Designed as a game that provides a motivating learning environment that enables students or instructional/administrative leaders to learn or apply educational concepts.

• Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
• Ease of use and implementation during a short period of time
• Impact on learning
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• Provides levels of challenge for the student
• Self-directed with feedback and support for the student

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Best Mathematics Instructional Solution

Recognizes the best instructional product that offers mathematics curricula and content for students in the PK-12 or postsecondary market. Includes managed classroom/course-based instruction or online supplemental instruction for students so they can learn and apply mathematics concepts and methods. Provides for deep learning experiences for students, supports standards alignment, and reflects current curriculum practice.

• Content successfully targets designated mathematics levels and topics
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Instruction and content are designed to deepen student mathematics knowledge and skills
• Instructional strategies appropriate for all learning styles and abilities
• Provides educator/faculty support
• Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts
• Supports deep learning experiences for the student

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Best PK-12 Personalized Learning Solution

Recognizes the best education solution that is specifically developed to personalize learning for PK-12 students. The solution must incorporate the principals of universal design for learning (UDL) to be adaptable to students of varying abilities and needs, by providing content in multiple learning styles, instruction with scaffolding supports, and functionality in an accessible manner.

• For instructional platforms, student receives appropriate feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Instructional strategies are mapped to individual learning styles and abilities
• Offers student-driven learning paths
• Offers virtually unlimited and multiple instructional resources
• Provides parent or educator support
• Supports anytime/anywhere learning
• Supports project-based, authentic learning

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Best Postsecondary Enterprise Solution

Recognizes the best non-instructional business management application or service that supports education enterprises in the postsecondary market, including class/lecture capture solutions, network services, human resources/talent management, digital communication/security solutions, scheduling and registration services, data mining, data analysis, student information systems, etc. This solution, delivered by the Internet or by network, will also best enable data exchange, processing, and reporting.

• Compliance with industry standards and requirements for accessibility
• Creates unified online presence
• Navigation within the solution
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• Provides customizable features

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Best Postsecondary Learning Solution

Recognizes the best broad-based, multi-disciplinary teaching application or solution for curricula and content that is specifically targeted toward students in college (graduate and undergraduate) and trade/professional school learning environments. Includes solutions that offer the ability to deliver blended or custom-crafted materials, digitally on a number of devices. Helps students navigate their digital/eBooks and reference content in a format that fits the way they learn with interactive media, collaboration tools and course content.

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

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Best Postsecondary Personalized Learning Solution

Recognizes the best education solution that is specifically developed to personalize learning for postsecondary students. The solution must incorporate the principals of universal design for learning (UDL) to be adaptable to students of varying abilities and needs, by providing content in multiple learning styles, instruction with scaffolding supports, and functionality in an accessible manner.

• For instructional platforms, student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Instructional strategies are mapped to individual learning styles and abilities
• Offers student-driven learning paths
• Offers virtually unlimited and multiple instructional resources
• Provides information and reports for faculty and administration
• Supports anytime/anywhere learning
• Supports project-based, authentic learning

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Best Professional Learning Solution for Education

Recognizes the best educational application or service designed to support PK-12 or postsecondary education institutions in the development of faculty and administrative staff. Includes professional development programs, learning management systems, and content development, with video-based delivery and packaging tools.

• 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 and strategies.
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• Provides information and support for educators anytime/anywhere
• Short learning curve

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Best Project-Centered Learning Solution

Recognizes the best tool for PK-12 or postsecondary students that promotes project or challenge-based learning. The tool will engage students in authentic problem solving activities, enable exploration of real-world problems, and facilitate deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying, including STEM, Career Readiness, and job-related skills.

• Appropriate for students in diverse instructional settings
• Employs strategies likely to be used in the workplace
• Engages students in real-world problems
• Facilitates deeper knowledge of the problems they are exploring
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Uses social learning and/or collaboration tools appropriate for the student

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Best Reading/English/ELL Instructional Solution

Recognizes the best instructional solution for language arts, reading, composition, and English language learning curricula and content for students in the PK-12 or postsecondary market. Includes solutions for native and non-native English speakers at all levels, and can be managed classroom/course-based instruction or online supplemental instruction for individuals. Provides for deep learning experiences for students, supports standards alignment, and reflects current curriculum practice.

• Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
• Content successfully targets designated language acquisition needs, levels, or subject areas
• Instruction and content are designed to deepen student English language knowledge and skills
• Provides educator/faculty support
• Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts

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Best Science/Health Instructional Solution

Recognizes the best instructional solution for science and health curricula and content for students in the PK-12 or postsecondary market. Includes managed classroom/course-based instruction or online supplemental instruction for individuals.

• Content successfully targets designated content area and levels
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Instruction and content are designed to deepen student mathematics knowledge and skills
• Instructional design and content appropriate for different learning styles, content areas, and ages
• Instructional strategies appropriate for all learning styles and abilities
• Provides educator/faculty support
• Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts

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Best Social Sciences Instructional Solution

Recognizes the best instructional solution for social sciences curricula and content for students in the PK-12 and postsecondary markets. Includes managed classroom/course-based instruction or online supplemental instruction for individuals.

• Content successfully targets designated content area and levels
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Instruction and content are designed to deepen student mathematics knowledge and skills
• Instructional design and content appropriate for different learning styles, content areas, and ages
• Provides educator/faculty support
• Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building skills, strategies, and concepts

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Best Solution for Special Needs Students

Recognizes the best application specifically designed to benefit students with unique educational needs in the PK-12 or postsecondary market, including those with physical or learning disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, or those who are gifted and talented. Includes solutions that are 508 compliant and provide instructional materials that are accessible or have been developed under the principles of universal design for learning (UDL).

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

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Best Student Assessment Solution

Recognizes the best application or solution for high-stakes assessments/preparation for high-stakes tests in the PK-12 or postsecondary market for use in either formative or summative assessments.

• Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities
• Educators, faculty members and administrators receive useful reports
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• Provides educator/faculty support
• Student receives feedback and reinforcement in the process of building their test-taking skills and strategies

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Best Use of Video to Support Student Learning

Recognizes the best video tools or platform specifically designed for PK-12 or postsecondary educational settings. May range from simple tools for creating videos for use in the classroom hosting to a video platform solution with content management capabilities, tools for uploading, encoding, mobile and other cross-platform capabilities, moderation and review, distribution and syndication tools and/or tools for growing media assets or an educational audience.

• Customization or personalization
• Innovative and effective use of technology
• Overall visual/program aesthetics
• Platform flexibility & accessibility
• Rich feature set
• Search capabilities

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Best Virtual Learning Solution

Recognizes the educational solution that best delivers course support, full courses or degree programs online, in either subscription-based or massive, open environments. Can be designed for tutoring, self-paced digital instruction, home-schooling, advance placement course work, credit recovery, instructional support, personalized learning environments, or college credit and targets the PK-12 or postsecondary market.

• Appropriate for students with diverse learning styles and abilities and/or for educators/faculty members with diverse instructional settings
• Appropriate use of graphics
• Content and/or information successfully targets designated educational users and needs, levels, or topic areas
• Effective and easy-to-use web design
• Effective use of technology
• Provides useful information to students, educators and administrators

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Software Categories

Best Asset Management Solution

Recognizes the best solution that provides financial, contractual, license, and inventory management to support and track product life cycle.

• Ability to help control costs
• Ability to manage lifecycle of strategic assets
• Ease of use
• Fufillment of key attributes
• Functionality of key attibutes
• Strength of financial management tools
• Strength of inventory management tools
• Strength of license and contractual management tools

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Best Big Data Solution

Recognizes the best solution that enables the capture, analysis, and mining of large unstructured data sets. Includes distributed indexing and search tools, scaled-out storage architectures, distributed analytics solutions, streamed based processing technologies, etc.

• Ability to manipulate data
• Ease of data extraction
• Ease of integration
• Fulfillment of key attributes
• Functionality of key attributes
• Range & ease of customization
• Range of platforms covered
• Reporting and analytics

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Best Business Intelligence/Analytics Solution

Recognizes the application or service that best facilitates analysis of data, research, and/or competitive information, enabling business managers to make strategic decisions. Solutions may support reporting, online analytical processing, analytics, data mining, business performance management, benchmarking, text mining, and predictive analytics.

• Ability to manipulate data
• Ease of data extraction
• Ease of integration
• Fulfillment of key attributes
• Functionality of key attributes
• Range & ease of customization
• Range of platforms covered
• Reporting and analytics

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Best Cloud Application Service

Recognizes the best SaaS solution for creating, delivering, and/or managing services in a cloud computing environment. Includes virtualization, billing, dynamic provisioning, automatic deployment, load balancing and performance optimization.

• Administrative controls and reporting
• Competitive advantage
• Cost/Benefit
• Ease/speed of provisioning
• Scalability (up and down)
• Service level agreement coverage

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Best Cloud Infrastructure

Recognizes the best solution for providing infrastructure as a service, including infrastructure, provisioning, security, reporting/controls, storage, and backup in a seamless, scalable, and flexible manner.

• Administrative controls and reporting
• APIs
• Competitive advantage
• Cost/Benefit
• Ease/speed of provisioning
• Scalability (up and down)
• Service level agreement coverage

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Best Cloud Management Solution

Recognizes the best solution that ensures cloud computing resources are working optimally. This can include performance monitoring, application management, security and compliance, storage, disaster recovery.

• Customization
• Flexibility
• Integration across mulitple applications / platforms
• Portability
• Reporting and analytics
• Scalability (up and down)

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Best Cloud Platform as a Service

Recognizes the best cloud platform as a service (PaaS) that increases the speed of development of cloud applications, reduces cost of development, automates deployment, and provides flexibility and scalability. This includes cloud enablement capabilities.

• Adminstrative controls and reporting
• Application portability
• Competitive advantage
• Cost/Benefit
• Ease / Speed of provisioning
• Scalability (up and down)
• Service level agreement coverage

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Best Cloud Storage & Back Up Solution

Recognizes the best solution for storing and/or backing up data in the cloud. Includes block storage, file storage, backup, archive, disaster recovery, and encryption.

• Agility
• Flexibility
• Redundancy
• Reliability
• Scalability (up and down)
• Security
• Storage maintenance

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Best Collaboration Solution

Recognizes the best application that aids collaboration, communication, and the process of problem solving for teams working together over geographic distances.

• Ability to facilitate communication
• Ease of Customization
• Ease of use
• Real-time collaboration capabilities
• Richness of functionality
• Robustness of Features
• Visual aesthetics

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Best Commerce Solution

Recognizes the best software solution designed to facilitate the purchase of products and services online. Includes credit card processing systems, personalization tools, shopping carts, comparison bots, order forms, and delivery/shipping management systems.

• Ability to manage payment process
• Access to information
• Ease of use for the customer
• Global support (languages, currencies, etc.)
• Overall functionality of key attributes
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Overall visual/program aesthetics

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Best Consumer Mobile Application

Recognizes the best consumer application or service designed for use on mobile devices. Includes social media, messaging, location-based services, banking, video services, music, entertainment, search, etc.

• Cross-platform capability
• Ease of access
• Ease of use
• Functionality of key features and attributes
• Presentation of content
• Upgrade frequency
• User experience (speed, simplicity, navigation, interface)

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Best Customer Relationship Management Solution

Recognizes 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.

• Ease of use
• Integration of data sources
• Mobility
• Overall fulfillment of key attributes
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Presentation of data
• Reporting and analysis of data
• Speed of implementation
• Speed of updates
• User interface

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Best Enterprise Mobile Application

Recognizes the best enterprise application or service designed for use on mobile devices. This includes sales, marketing, logistics, HR, CRM, accounting, etc.

• Ease of access
• Ease of use
• Impact on business processes
• Overall support across multiple devices and platforms
• Presentation of content
• Upgrade frequency
• User experience (speed, simplicity, navigation, interface)

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Best Financial Management Solution

Recognizes the best software solution that automates business accounting and money management including accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, budgeting, resource allocation, reporting, etc.

• Ability to manipulate data
• Ability to pull from disparate data sources
• Ease and speed of implementation
• Ease of data presentation
• Ease of use
• Global support (languages, currencies, etc.)
• Overall functionality of key attributes
• Reporting and analysis of data

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Best Healthcare IT Solution

Recognizes the most innovative solution improving care quality, patient safety, efficiency, and/or data exchange.

• Ability to improve communication
• Ability to improve efficiency
• Ability to improve quality and effectiveness
• Ease of use
• Overall impact on costs
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)

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Best Human Capital/Talent Management Solution

Recognizes the best software solution that automates any aspect of human resources management and talent acquisition, including HRIS, benefits administration, recruiting, payroll, and performance appraisal.

• Ability to manipulate data
• Ability to pull from disparate data sources
• Ease and speed of implementation
• Ease of data presentation
• Ease of use
• Global support (languages, currencies, etc.)
• Overall fulfillment of key attributes
• Overall functionality of key attributes

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Best Integration Solution

Recognizes the best solution designed to integrate disparate applications, operating systems, data, and/or business processes used within an organization in order to simplify and automate their use and eliminate silos of information and functionality.

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

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Best IT Support/ Support Services Solution

Recognizes the best solution that enables IT professionals to deliver technical support to employees and clients.

• Ability to automate workflow of frameworks specific to IT service support
• Ease of updates
• Ease of use
• Fulfillment of key attributes
• Functionality of key attributes
• Remote capabilities
• Speed of identifying, escalating, and resolving issues

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Best Marketing Automation Solution

Recognizes the best solution for automating, managing, and deploying marketing campaigns to customers, prospects, and/or partners. Includes marketing automation, campaign automation, marketing intelligence, and advanced workflow automation, mobile advertising, ad networks, ad/app analytics, marketing platforms, couponing, promotional, and/or media communications.

• Ease and completeness of integration into other applications
• Ease of deployment and the speed of its time to value
• Ease of use
• Impact of cost on deployment
• Impact on the enterprise and its ability to drive revenue
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Reporting, tracking, and analysis of data

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Best Mobile Development Solution

Recognizes the best tool or resource for designing, creating or testing mobile applications. Includes programming language, toolkits, diagnostic programs, IDE, applet and plug-in development tools, database development programs, etc.

• 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
• Range of platforms covered

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Best Open Source Innovation

Awards the most innovative source code or use of source code that is protected by open source licenses. Includes operating systems, databases, applications, management, networking, etc. Emphasis is placed on innovative open source technologies which build or significantly enhance a new or existing open source community, and/or leverage an innovative business model built from open source technologies.

• Ability to manipulate
• Ease of use
• Functionality of key attributes
• Innovative use of open source technology
• Overall fulfillment of key attributes
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Robustness of offering

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Best Project Management Solution

Recognizes the best business application that 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.

• Ability for collaboration
• Ease of use
• Fulfillment of key attributes
• Functionality of key attributes
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Presentation of data
• Reporting and analysis of data

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Best Security Solution

Recognizes the best solution designed to protect networks and other IT systems. Include access management, authentication, firewalls, virtual private networks, encryption, intrusion detection, policy-based management, managed services, anti-virus products, identity management, etc.

• Ability to process security of an entire enterprise
• Alert tools
• Data loss prevention
• Ease and speed of implementation
• Impact of cost on deployment
• Overall fulfillment of key attributes
• Reporting and analysis tools
• Threat protection

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Best Social Business Solution

Recognizes the best application or platform for facilitating social business engagement. Includes social networking applications, platforms, and other services that allow for company, customer, and/or prospect communications over the web.

• Ability to facilitate communication
• Ability to share data/information
• Ease of Customization
• Ease of use
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Richness of functionality
• Robustness of Features
• Support for interaction
• Visual aesthetics

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Best Subscription Management Solution

Recognizes the best solution to help companies manage an aspect or aspects of the subscription lifecycle. Subscription management aspects including transactions, billing, pricing, payments, packaging, monitoring, management, etc.

• Ease of use
• Integration capabilities
• Pricing Flexibility
• Reporting /Analtyics
• Scalability (up and down)
• Security

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Best Supply Chain Management Solution

Recognizes the best solution for coordination and collaboration with suppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers, and customers in the movement and storage of materials and equipment; work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

• Ability to collaborate among partners
• Ability to integrate with other systems
• Ease and speed of implementation
• Ease of Use
• Fulfillment of key attributes
• Management and tracking tools
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Process Functionality
• Total systems efficiency

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Best Systems Management Solution

Recognizes the best application that assists dev/ops in managing, monitoring, maintaining, operating, administering, and provisioning networks. Includes performance monitors, system management tools, load-balancing tools, user analysis tools, web site administration utilities, caching software and content delivery networks.

• Cross-platform compatibility
• Ease and speed of implementation
• Ease of use
• Fulfillment of key attributes
• Functionality of key attributes
• Overall performance (speed, security, and reliability)
• Presentation of data
• Reporting and analysis of data

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Best Video Solution

Recognizes the best video tool for editing, altering, and/or enhancing video content.

• Ease of use
• Fulfillment of key attributes
• Functionality of key attributes
• Quality of tools
• Supported formats

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"Overall" Education Catgories

There will be three overall, top awards in these education technology categories:

Best PK-12 Solution
Best Postsecondary Solution
Best Education Solution

Companies will not need to nominate in any of these categories when completing the application. Finalists will automatically be considered for the top awards. The winner in each category will be based on scores from both rounds of judging. The award will be presented to the product with the highest score from among the categories that qualify.

To be eligible for Best PK-12 Solution, you must be a finalist in at least one of the following categories:

Best Classroom Management System
Best K-12 Course or Learning Management Solution
Best K-12 Enterprise Solution
Best PK-12 Personalized Learning Solution

To be eligible for Best Postsecondary Solution, you must be a finalist in at least one of the following categories:

Best Campus Academic Management Solutions
Best Postsecondary Personalized Learning Solution
Best Postsecondary Enterprise Solution
Best Postsecondary Learning Solution

Finalists in all categories are eligible for Best Education Solution.

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Software & Information Industry Association.