Computing this week launches our Awards for Excellence for 2007. For the 15th annual event of the most prestigious awards in UK IT, we want to recognise the skills, professionalism and experience of our readers.

The awards focus on the contribution of individuals, teams and organisations that have excelled in the use, development and deployment of IT.

The winners will be announced at a lavish prize-giving ceremony, to be held at the Battersea Park Events Arena in London on 7 November.

Gaining a Computing award – acknowledged as the Oscars of the IT industry – can be a major boost for your company’s profile and business opportunities.

And this year we have introduced some new awards to highlight the growing importance of areas such as green computing and outsourcing.

Last year’s winners agreed that the prize represented significant recognition of their hard work and achievements.

The top prize in 2006, for the Outstanding Contribution to UK IT, was presented to the British Airways information management department – the first time the award was given to a team, rather than an individual.

‘This award was a fantastic tribute to the hard work, professionalism and dedication of our whole team,’ said BA chief information officer Paul Coby after the ceremony. ‘It was a tremendous boost to be recognised by Computing for making a real difference.’

Last year was also a record year for entries to the awards – 25 per cent up on the previous high – with the quality of entries consistently impressive, so competition is sure to be fierce again in 2007.

For the third year running, headline sponsor for the Computing awards is Ricoh. We look forward to receiving your entries. Details for how to enter the 15th annual Computing Awards for Excellence are available online at www.computing.co.uk/awards.

Project awards

We are looking for examples of user projects that highlight the importance of new technology initiatives, and demonstrate the benefits of well-managed IT implementations for changing and improving business and public life.

IT suppliers may nominate customers, but should be aware the awards are for organisations that successfully implement IT, and will be presented to the customer, not the supplier.

Private Sector Project of the Year

The best IT project completed over the past 12 months by a private sector organisation. The project will deliver a demonstrable return on investment and support significant improvements to business processes and/or increases in profitability and competitiveness

Public Sector Project of the Year

The best IT project completed over the past 12 months by a public sector organisation. The project will have delivered improvements in public services or new ways of working that enable greater efficiency or cost-effectiveness in the organisation.

Innovative Project of the Year

The most innovative use of new technology in the public or private sector to support organisational improvements or changes, or involving the use of IT to deliver innovative new services.

Community Project of the Year

The best IT project completed during the past 12 months that uses technology to benefit the community. The project could deliver improvements to charity fundraising or support local initiatives vital to the work of a community organisation or local authority, or recognise companies working with the community through corporate social responsibility programmes.

Green IT Project of the Year

The best IT project completed during the past 12 months that has used technology to make an improvement to the environment or to lowering corporate environmental impact. The project will deliver a demonstrable change in a company or public sector organisation’s green credentials. Our aim is to reward the organisation that has achieved the most significant environmental benefits through the use of IT.

Outsourcing Project of the Year

The best example of a project that involves outsourcing IT work and potentially IT staff, during the past 12 months. The project will demonstrate best practice in transitioning to outsourcing, project & programme management and human resources, bringing improvements to the organisation and career development opportunities for affected employees.

Student Project of the Year

The best project by a student at any level of education with the potential to advance, improve or develop IT with a wider use in the private or public sector. We are particularly keen to hear from university students or their tutors who wish to enter project work completed as part of their degree course.

Individual & team awards

We are looking to recognise the individuals and teams in the UK IT community that have demonstrated excellence in their profession during the past 12 months.

The awards seek to reward IT experts at all levels who have contributed to the development and deployment of innovative technology that improves business operations or enhances public services.

Entries can be submitted by companies and public bodies or individuals who wish to recognise their own or their colleagues’ efforts, or from IT vendors nominating their customers.

IT Leader of the Year

This is one of the most prestigious individual awards in UK IT, awarded to a chief information officer, IT director or other board-level IT executive. The winner will be an individual who has consistently demonstrated excellence in leadership, innovation and quality in the use and promotion of technology throughout their organisation to deliver business growth or improvements in public services.

IT Professional of the Year

Awarded to any individual working in IT, whether part of an IT department, business unit or small business.

The winner will be an individual that has consistently demonstrated excellence in innovation and quality in the use and promotion of IT in their organisation to deliver business growth or improvements in public services.

IT Department of the Year

Awarded to the IT department in any private or public sector organisation that has consistently proved their excellence in the delivery and support of IT services.

IT Team of the Year

Awarded to any team within an IT department, whether a permanent group, such as a support or operations team for example, or an ad hoc team created for a specific business initiative. The winner will be the team that has consistently demonstrated excellence in innovation and quality in the use of IT and shown significant achievement during the past 12 months.

Company awards

We want to recognise UK organisations that consistently demonstrate excellence in IT, by developing and deploying innovative strategies to improve business operations or enhance public services. Entries can be submitted by IT vendors nominating customers, or firms/public bodies wishing to recognise their own efforts.

Best IT Strategy

Awarded to the company or public body that demonstrates how the development or implementation of its IT strategy has helped to meet objectives, achieve greater competitiveness or improve public services during the past 12 months. The winning organisation will show how IT is fundamental to achieving business goals.

Best Small Business IT Strategy

Awarded to the company or public body with fewer than 500 employees that demonstrates how the development or implementation of its IT strategy has helped to meet objectives, achieve greater competitiveness or improve public services in the past 12 months. The winner will show how IT is fundamental to achieving business goals.

IT employer of the year

Awarded to the organisation that provides the best employment and career opportunities for IT professionals. The winner of this award will be selected following a major research programme commissioned by Computing. Entries for this award are not required at this time.

Industry awards

These awards will recognise excellence in the provision of IT systems and in supporting industries. Nominations can come from users, vendors, or those who wish to nominate themselves, but suppliers will be judged by reader votes to reflect real-life experiences. Awarded to the companies that Computing readers think provide the best quality, value-for-money, innovative products and services in each category.

• Business Hardware Supplier of the Year
• Business Software Supplier of the Year
• IT Services Supplier of the Year
• Networking and communications supplier of the Year
• IT PR company of the Year
• zecruitment Consultancy of the Year
• Technology Advertising Campaign of the Year

Editor’s award

Outstanding contribution to UK IT

This award will be chosen by the editor of Computing, to recognise the most significant contribution to the UK IT profession during 2007.

The award is open to entries from IT directors, IT professionals, senior IT vendor professionals, government employees involved in public IT programmes, or anyone else who is considered to have advanced, promoted or developed the IT community.

Last year’s winner was the British Airways information management department, led by CIO Paul Coby.

How to enter

Further details on all awards, including judging criteria are available online. The closing date for entries is 6 July 2007.

We are accepting entries submitted via our web site at www.computing.co.uk/awards.