The judges will be looking for entries which demonstrate the following key attributes:
Most Innovative Data Centre Project of the Year
A new or significantly re-built/re-architected Data Centre facility
Innovative design of the Data Centre in one or more areas that may include:
Resource virtualisation e.g. network facilities, storage switching, server resources, security appliances
Significant reduction or optimisation in power consumption (green-friendly DC)
High Availability e.g. redundant multi-site design, business continuity
Security e.g. built-in security mechanisms and capabilities
Resource optimisation e.g. server balancing, server off-loading, traffic and application optimization, consolidation, grid computing
Services, Security, Management and Operations e.g. administration, resource management, outsourcing, advanced infrastructures, cabling, network-based security
Achieved business value for the organisation, e.g. operational efficiency, environmentally friendly, increased flexibility, high-availability, faster services and applications rollout, new or enhanced business model
Most Innovative Mobility Project of the Year
A new value proposition, connecting people to information when and where they need it
Creativity from concept through to planning and design e.g. addressing new and challenging issues with innovative solutions
Improving the organisation’s bottom line in two ways:
Accelerated decision-making e.g. rich collaboration for internal & external meetings, real-time access to critical information
Innovation e.g. how the project has increased the adaptability and flexibility of the business
Wireless as the Application Delivery Platform e.g. VoIP over wireless, RFID, and video
Environmental impact e.g. how the project aligns with a global commitment to reduce the impact on the environment
Most Innovative SP Service Offering of the Year
A Service Provider Service offered through the adoption of an innovative IP NGN network architecture e.g. :
showing architectural transformation and convergence towards IP
adopting next generation solutions in the transport/access/aggregation/edge/core
leveraging on benefits provided by Virtualization of network resources and applications
leveraging on innovative technologies for Communication and Collaboration, Video, Mobility and cloud based services
leveraging on innovative service and policy control capabilities
An SP service offering preferably targeting both residential/consumer and business/enterprise users/customers(s)
A service that demonstrates innovation in more than one area e.g.:
Performance e.g. speed, throughput, low latency
Scalability e.g. number of users
Reliability
Access Agnostic e.g. service offered through different access technologies providing same level of assurance and quality
showing Service ubiquity and seamless mobility
IPv6 Based
combining triple play with mobility and collaboration
Innovative from a service offering perspective:
based on innovative service delivery models (dedicated, hosted, managed, XaaS)
providing innovative service bundles and tariffing models
providing the ability to customize,set up, filter and control service’s applications per user based
providing capability to access and modify the SLAs committed between SP and end users/customers
Proof that the SP service produces business efficiencies and profitability for the Service Provider and perceivable services’ value add for the end users/customers
Service Green : introducing a lower environmental impact and benefits e.g. power consumption reduction, pollution reduction
Most Innovative UC and Collaboration Project of the Year
The use of Unified Communication and Collaboration Applications e.g. MeetingPlace, Unity, Presence
Environmental impact e.g. how does the project align with a global commitment to reduce environmental impact
The positive impact the project has had on the organisation internally and externally e.g. financial, collaborative, productivity gains
Innovative application of Unified Communications in a specific vertical sector e.g. Healthcare, Defence, Finance
Integration of 3rd party application solution into Cisco Unified Communications
Proof of the use of Mobility in a Unified Communications solution
Most Society Impacting Network of the Year
An IP based network, provided by Government bodies / society impacting organisations, which:
Provides the ability to collaborate in Web 2.0 style with any access at any time (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Web_2.0)
Has independent access locations
Is based on open standards, non-proprietary and extensible applications
Is sustainable with commonly available programs
Improves society integration worldwide e.g. FTTH as a society enabler
Innovative from a Government service perspective:
Preferably built for both delivery of services to residents and internal government services
No barriers to access, whilst still ensuring network is safe and secure for residents and government employees in various cities, regions, and countries
Comprehensive suite of user applications with Data, Voice, Video to change how people work, live, learn and play
Improves GDP productivity by next generation services e.g. unemployment services
Application driven network for social inclusion and genuine access for all
Has a social impact e.g. on the education, health and wealth of a society
Environmental impact:
Demonstrates a reduction in environmental impact e.g. power consumption reduction, pollution reduction
Most Innovative Business Video Project of the Year
Most innovative use of video technologies:
Type of video technologies used
Use of transport technologies and protocols e.g unicast, multicast, IPv4, IPv6
Transportation of video e.g. over a shared or dedicated infrastructure
Video running on top of a “Medianet ready” Network - Linking IP network technology (e.g. Security, Voice) and Video
Monitoring of Quality of Experience
Inclusion of Cisco products, e.g. Telepresence, DMS, Video Surveillance and seamless integration of other video technologies e.g. ISV, homegrown
Linking video content to video solution (e.g. video based - advertisement)
Most compelling business case:
Use of video to generate new business opportunities
Contribution of video to reducing need for travel / more efficient use of time
Use of video technologies to move to virtual collaboration platform (meetings ...)
Proof of Return on Investment
Contribution to sustainability:
Environmental impact of video versus in-person meetings
Use and relevance of video as part of a larger sustainability initiative (e.g. Green IT)
Ability to scale the solution to internal and external customers:
Current and maximum number of active users
User experience and acceptance of the video solution
Usability of video solution to increase customer and employee intimacy
Most Innovative Green Project of Year
A solution that builds Communities to collectively contribute to environmental activities
A solution that provides innovative new approaches to management of environmental activities
Partnerships that break down traditional barriers to management of the environment
A solution that leads the way to large scale future management of climate change
A solution or service to mitigate and/or adapt to the impacts of changes in our environment
A solution that accelerates wide scale adoption and effectiveness of environmental projects
Research projects that open new opportunities for the Network to achieve a wider positive impact on the environment
If you have any questions please contact:
Adele Carter
IDG Project Manager
Innovation Awards at Cisco Live 2011
IDG Global Solutions
t: +44(0)1784 210340
f: +44(0)1784 225830
e: Adele_Carter@IDG.com
