Network World
Thursday, July 24, 2008

About Us

Awards Programs

Network World conducts several product tests throughout the year, analyzes companies and their people, business growth and market impact, and recognizes end-users who are applying technology to solve real business issues in interesting ways.

What kind of award programs do you have?

We have end-user awards, product awards and company awards.

Users nominate themselves

Enterprise All-Star Awards

Recognizes exceptional use of network technology to further business objectives, with winners profiled in a special November issue.

We will be accepting entries through July 20, 2007. The entry form is available at: www.networkworld.com/surveys/allstar_survey.html

The Enterprise All-Star Award covers categories including:

  • Applications
  • Convergence/VoIP
  • LANs/routers
  • Network and systems management
  • Operating systems
  • Security
  • Servers/desktops
  • Storage
  • WANs
  • Wireless/mobile

Criteria: Award winners must demonstrate exceptional use of network technology and act as role models for the use of one or more of these technologies within their particular vertical markets and the business world at large.

See last year’s winners.

Editorial contact: Beth Schultz, editor, New Data Center.

Products and services: vendors may submit products for consideration

  • Network World Clear Choice Tests
    [conducted many times throughout the year]
  • Best of the Tests Award [winners profiled in February] *Note: Vendors cannot submit products for consideration for Best of the Tests, as the products must have been tested.

Vendors: selected by Network World; readers may submit their opinion

  • 10 Start-ups to Watch [profiled in December]
  • Most Powerful Companies [profiled in December]

Industry leaders: selected by Network World

  • Most Powerful People [profiled in December]

 

End-User Award Details

Applications for the 2007 Enterprise All-Star Awards are accepted June 11 through July 20 with winners honored in the November 26 issue and on www.networkworld.com. The entry form is available at: www.networkworld.com/surveys/allstar_survey.html.
(Note: replaces Extended Enterprise Award program and User Excellence Awards). Enterprise All-Star Awards honor outstanding network design and implementation initiatives undertaken by end-user organizations – ones that demonstrate exceptional use of network technology and serve as role models for their industries.

Technology award categories include: applications, convergence & VoIP, e-business, network infrastructure, network and systems management, operating systems, security, systems hardware, storage, mobility & wireless and WAN. Contact Beth Schultz, editor, New Data Center, at bschultz@nww.com, for more information.

Awards for Products and Services

  • Clear Choice [Tests conducted several times a year]
    The Network World Lab Alliance, a 13-member coalition of industry experts, consultants and independent test labs, conduct a single product tests and head-to-head comparative tests in true-to-life lab settings and on live networks. The Lab Alliance focuses on providing the Network World audience with a Clear Choice regarding which products are ready for use in enterprise networks. The highest scoring product in a comparative review is given the Clear Choice designation if it also achieves a score of 3.7 or higher out of a possible 5.0. In single product reviews, products scoring 4.5 or above are also given a Clear Choice designation. Contact Christine Burns, executive editor, testing, at cburns@nww.com or Keith Shaw, senior reviews editor, at kshaw@nww.com.
  • Best of Tests [February]
    Year-long testing culminates with the Best of the Tests Awards which are bestowed upon products that score highest in the testing process — the best of the best. These products are profiled online in a special Best Products report. Contact Christine Burns, executive editor, testing, at cburns@nww.com.
  • Category Breaker [February]
    This award honors a product or service that breaks market boundaries. Products are selected by Network World columnists and writers from those introduced during a twelve-month period prior to analysis. Part of the special online Best Products report. Contact Beth Schultz, editor, Special Projects, at bschultz@nww.com
  • Cool Tools [Conducted several times a year]
    Annual buyers’ guide testing begins in August with content produced in late November/early December. Network World’s formal testing program is augmented by in-house product reviews covered in the Cool Tools section of Network World. This weekly feature focuses on fun and useful technology gizmos and gadgets for the home office/small office and personal mobility. Contact Keith Shaw, senior reviews editor, at kshaw@nww.com.

To learn how to get a product tested in Network World, click here.

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So, You Won an Award or Industry Recognition, Now What?

First of all, congratulations! You are competing with the best-of-the-best — dozens of peers who also have accomplished a lot. You probably want to publicize your achievement in a press release and on your Web site and other collateral.

All of Network World’s awards have an award logo that you may use as a winner. Typically, the person submitting the information for an award or product test is contacted with a letter that describes the award, the rules of use and includes the logo. The latest logos may also be available, along with size and color specs, at networkworld.com/press/logos.html

If you plan to do a press release, we ask that you send it to us for approval prior to release. Our comments are focused on the accuracy of how the information is presented and we turn the request around quickly. You may also request a more specific quote directly from the editor involved. One of our requirements is for you to include something like "...for the full Network World article..." and the actual link to the online version of the article as well as the Network World boilerplate available at networkworld.com/press/logos.html#boiler. Contact the appropriate editor or dpomponi@nww.com if you have questions.

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