Getting Products Tested

The Network World Lab Alliance, a 13-member coalition of industry experts, consultants and independent test labs, conduct 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.

Clear Choice: Tests conducted regularly throughout the year. The highest scoring product in a comparative review is given the Clear Choice designation if it also achieves scores 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

Cool Tools: 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 editor, product testing, at kshaw@nww.com

how do i get a product tested in network world?

To have your company's products considered for testing, review our How to Get your Product Tested Guide at networkworld.com/press/gettested.pdf. Our step-by-step guide is designed to help vendors successfully navigate the process of getting products tested as part of the Network World Clear Choice Tests program.

After you have reviewed the Product Testing Guide, you may submit requests via the Request a Test form located at networkworld.com/reviews/reviewrequest.html

The best way to get our attention is to target both the appropriate testing editor and testing partner that is focused on testing your type of product. View a list of Network World Lab Alliance partners and their biographies at networkworld.com/alliance/index.html

Each tester examines products in his or her own area of expertise, and works with an assigned Network World editor to identify product classes and specific products within those classes to test, develop test methodology, and produce the articles that appear in print and on the Web. Pinpoint both the appropriate editor and tester for your specific product category at networkworld.com/clearchoice/index.jsp

who belongs to the network world lab alliance?

Industry experts that are affiliated with universities and independent labs across the country and specialize in different product categories do actual testing. Because of the breadth of the products tested, we feel working with experts in various disciplines is preferable to trying to make a single lab into a jack-of-all-trades.

do you conduct single-product tests or comparisons?

The Network World Lab Alliance conducts both single-product tests and head-to-head comparative tests on a weekly basis. Check our monthly editorial highlights at networkworld.com/pdf/poe_highlights.pdf for a list of upcoming Clear Choice Tests.

Do you test beta products?

No. Products have to be shipping.

Do you test services or service providers?

Occasionally.

Does Network World run case studies?

We report our own case studies but we do not run vendor-supplied case studies. Nonetheless, we look for examples of how customers are using products and services so case studies circulated with press releases have value for us.

Target Your Type of Test

Network World generally publishes four types of testing-based articles. Please note that it is the testing editor’s choice, and not the vendor’s request, that determines in what kind of testing article products are included.

• Comparative Product Test: This is our preferred way of presenting product specific testing data to readers. Whenever possible, we will put your product into comparative review. These tests pit like products against each other in head-to-head comparison.
• Single Product Test: We conduct single product tests for new products that we feel uniquely address a network issue, represent a major upgrade to an established, widely used product, or fall into one of the product categories for which we offer rolling tests.
• Product Roundup or Issues-based Test: We occasionally test products in a roundup scenario when they attack a network issue or task from a variety of angles, but are not necessarily products that we can compare feature by feature.
• Cool Tools: If your product is a gadget, gizmo, or client-side software product, stop reading and contact Cool Tools Editor Keith Shaw at kshaw@nww.com to give him your pitch. The Cool Tools column runs weekly, and often features quick reviews on products that he tests. Products that need little to no IT help usually fall in this category.