RDN Innovator Awards Kick Off
Developing software, especially inside the enterprise, can be thankless work.
There are no shiny, shrink-wrapped boxes in store shelves, no market buzz or
feedback from the media, and most such projects only get real attention when
things go wrong.
We want to put the spotlight on dev projects that went right.
To help recognize the best efforts of corporate software developers and management
working for the Windows and .NET platforms, Redmond Developer News in
September launched the first
annual Innovator Awards.
The contest is going on right now. We've issued a formal call for entries spanning
seven different software development categories. Criteria for winning entries
will be those that show an innovative approach to application development, while
delivering a compelling business outcome.
Want to see your hard work recognized and even featured in Redmond Developer
News? Innovator Award winners and runners up will be profiled in our Dec.
1 issue. This is a great chance for your dev shop to be recognized for its creative
effort and technical acumen. Here's a quick rundown of the seven categories:
- Pure Windows: A look at applications that were built and designed
using pure Windows-based development tools and designed to be run on Windows-based
back-office applications such as, but not limited to, Microsoft's SQL Server,
BizTalk and SharePoint.
- SOA: Emphasizes how applications were developed to take advantage
of Web services available through BizTalk, in addition to other middleware
and/or application servers it may be linked to.
- Collaboration: Applications that make use of Microsoft's SharePoint
services or similar application-sharing platforms, which are designed to run
with Windows-based client and server-based applications.
- Business Intelligence/Digital Dashboards: Focuses on applications
that use BI platforms that are hosted using Windows-based applications such
as SQL Server or BizTalk, and/or were developed with tools that take advantage
of Windows-based APIs. These should be applications that provide business
analysts and high level executives real time views of how a business is performing.
- Only Office: These are applications either built using the development
capabilities of Office or to use the Office suite in a unique and innovative
way (providing noteworthy business impact).
- Rich Internet (RIA): Web-based applications that employ rich user
interfaces and provide a sophisticated user experience beyond what is possible
using simple HTML. Entries should be built on AJAX, Flash, Silverlight or
other RIA-enabling platforms, and should deliver significant programmatic
interaction.
- Roadworthy: Applications designed specifically for mobile users and
other non-traditional client devices including Windows-mobile-based PDAs,
Windows Tablet Edition or traditional laptops, making use of wireless networks
or for scenarios where the user is rarely, if ever connected directly to a
corporate network, yet utilizing the services of the enterprise.
Entrants must be custom applications developed by or for corporate, non-profit
or public-sector enterprises. And yes, applicants are welcome to enter multiple
projects in various categories.
Finally, a note about the Innovator Awards, which were actually founded 13
years ago by Application Development
Trends, a sister Web site to RDN. If you have a cross-platform or
non-Microsoft development effort you think is worthy of consideration, definitely
look over the ADT
Innovator Awards. The winners of those awards will be published on ADTmag.com.
Entrants can download an application form for the RDN awards here
or, for the ADT Innovator Awards, here.
Good luck!
Posted by Michael Desmond on 09/12/2007