The following group of awards categories are designed for Systems Integrators, Solution VARs and Managed Services providers who provide IT solutions for customers incorporating hardware, software and services.

SMB

Small Businesses require technology to enable them to compete with larger companies. This category is for an IT or communications solution that has enabled a small organisation, up to 500 employees, to improve their productivity, efficiency and customer relationships. Entrants for this category will have to show a real understanding of how a small business uses technology to stay ahead in today's competitive world. Solutions can include IT systems, networking, convergence, mobility and e-commerce.

Enterprise

Major enterprises are huge users of IT technology but often find it difficult to get real solutions from the IT channel. This award category addresses issues that major organisations are facing today as they try to get a real return on their investment in IT. Solutions can include all types of IT technologies and software applications.

Data and Information Management

Information is growing exponentially within organisations and needs to be managed and secured to enable them to operate efficiently. This award category recognises excellence in solutions that have helped companies control their information. Solutions within this chategory can include content and document management solutions, Information Lifecycle Management deployments and disaster recovery and business continuity solutions.

Unified Communications

Many enterprises have installed converged solutions. In this category we are looking for solutions 'beyond convergence', where the solution provider has integrated a whole range of unified communications technologies to deliver a really innovative business application. The judges will be looking particularly for integration of voice, video and IM into real business processes.

E-business

This award category is designed to highlight how businesses have revolutionised their supply chain operations using new technology. The judges will be looking for solutions that enable on-line sales, purchasing and customer support. In particular they will favour solutions that have enabled organisations to change their ‘go to market’ strategy or improve their operational abilities.

Mobility & Communications

The use of remote and mobile working has revolutionised business practices. This award category is looking for Mobility & Communications solutions that have made a significant positive impact on the way large organisations now operate. The solution can use any type of mobility or communications technology and incorporate software applications to enable new business practices and improve business operations, productivity and profitability.

Vertical

This award category is designed to recognise excellence in the development and deployment of a solution that addresses and meets the specific business needs of a particular market sector Solutions may address needs in areas such as Healthcare, Energy, Utilities, Finance, Retail, Central or local government or any other specific market segment.

Managed Service

With the increase in criticality of IT solutions within business, many organisations are looking for solutions and support to be delivered as an on-line service instead of an in-house solution. This award category is for solutions delivered as a service by the channel. The solutions may vary from managed support service to fully outsourced applications and datacentres.