Important Information

Entries are now open for the UK Cloud Awards 2020!

The entry deadline is Friday 3rd April. 

For recommendations on how to write your entry, please click here.

Good luck!

Product Innovation Categories

Cloud Product Innovation of the Year

This is a wide-ranging category that seeks to celebrate technical excellence or use of a radical adjacency to creating an outstanding product that has the potential to significantly advance or revolutionise cloud technology. Entries will have to demonstrate the use of technology to overcome a defined problem, and show that it has, or can, make a significant impact.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced use case(s) of the product with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Product or service must have been released or had a major upgrade on or after 1 Nov 18.

Cloud Security Innovation of the Year

Security continues to be a significant factor in cloud technology and services. The threats to businesses and personal data continues to be increasingly complex, and the ways in which security products have had to respond means that there is a need for constantly evolving technology innovations to keep users and systems safe. Entries will have to demonstrate the use of technology and capabilities that show significant advancement over the industry standard of cloud security products.
This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced use case(s) with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Product or service must have been released or had a major upgrade on or after 1 Nov 18.

Cloud Collaboration Platform of the Year

People want to work they way they live. They have become digital natives and whether using mobile applications or web-based collaboration platforms, they can break down the barriers of organisations to improve productivity, collaboration, and unlock business benefits. This category is for those collaboration platforms that can prove these benefits and show new ways of working.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced use case(s) with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance and was UK-based.

· Product or service must have been released or had a major upgrade on or after 1 Nov 18.

Project Categories 

SaaS Implementation Project of the Year

Software as a Service is a huge part of the cloud story. Indeed, there is a wide range of SaaS products on the market, but it is how they are implemented to create customer success that really matters. Judges are looking for projects that tell the story of how your SaaS product created those outcomes, delivered benefits and value.
This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

Internet of Things Project of the Year

The Internet of Things (IoT) brings together a range of connected physical devices with automated systems. Judges are looking for projects that have shown how this technology has provided real benefits, demonstrate tangible outcomes and client value.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and / or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

FinTech Project of the Year

This category is seeking impactful projects that are forging the path in this highly disruptive sector. We are looking for regulatory technology solutions that solve tough compliance challenges for companies from SMB to Enterprise level and across different industries. Our judges are looking for projects that have shown how your FinTech solution has delivered benefits, demonstrated tangible outcomes and client value.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

Big Data/Analytics Project of the Year

Big Data and Analytics are a major component in the cloud industry to serve value to clients. We are looking for projects that use market-leading solutions to solve an issue or discover one using the use of data. The outcome does not have to be a big one, but the impact should be significant and demonstrable by use of data and how it was successfully resolved with measurable outcomes.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence Project of the Year

Machine Learning (ML) & Artificial Intelligence (AI) are hot topics in the technology industry and we are looking to see the best of them and how they have solved complex problems. Our judges are seeking innovative projects that use market-leading solutions to solve an issue or discover one using ML or AI with tangible and evidenced outcomes.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

DevOps Project of the Year

New ways of working help to make the technology solutions for clients achieve value and realise the business case faster. DevOps is a key delivery method of the moment and our judges want to see the best projects that have used DevOps to achieve client outcomes, value and benefits.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

Public Sector Project of the Year

From central government departments to local councils, we are looking for the best projects that have delivered quantifiable benefits to the public sector to advance services or deliver efficiencies. We are looking for one project that exemplifies how innovation and cloud can help make public services better for the end user.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

Enterprise Project of the Year

The judges are looking for outstanding examples of how cloud technology solutions have been harnessed to solve enterprise wide issues in the Private and Financial Services Sectors. Entries should bring insight into how the technology solution was selected and implemented to the highest standards. Judges will be seeking evidenced, tangible outcomes and demonstrable value.
This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

· Enterprise is defined as more than 250 employees and/or turnover greater than £50m.

SMB Project of the Year

The judges are looking for outstanding examples of how cloud technology solutions have been harnessed to solve issues in the SMB sector. Entries should bring insight into how the technology solution was selected and implemented to the highest standards. Judges will be seeking evidenced, tangible outcomes and demonstrable value.
This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

· SMB is defined as less than 250 employees and/or turnover less than £50m.

Digital Transformation Project of the Year

The judges are looking for the best project involving moves into cloud, from one cloud service to another, post-deal integrations, digitisation efforts or partnerships and collaborations. Entries can be for a single project, a programme or an overall strategy. The winning entry will be able to demonstrate how technology has brought cost benefits, improved internal processes and generated new opportunities or unlocked significant value.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidence of the project aims, outcomes and benefits with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Must have been completed on or after 1 Nov 18.

Companies and People

Cloud Start Up Company of the Year

This is for the new entrants to the market, ones that are creating new and innovative products and services. To be eligible the company must have been founded after 1 Nov 14, and be offering a significant differentiation on an existing cloud technology product or service.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based. · Evidenced use case(s) with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Company must be founded on or after 1 Nov 14.

Cloud Growth Business of the Year

For companies that have gone beyond start up and are now in full growth mode. Our judges are looking for scale-up businesses that have overcome their initial funding challenges and are expanding by virtue of excellent service, products and insight. Entries will need to be founded before 1 Nov 2016 and have evidence of increasing turnover and client portfolio.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced use case(s) with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

· Company must be founded before 1 Nov 16.

Cloud Technology Positive Action Award of the Year

This category is about the individuals and organisations who use technology to improve the lives of others. It could be corporate social responsibility, charity work or sustainability initiatives but have used cloud technologies and solutions. Entries will be judged on their impact, innovation and value.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced use case(s) with clearly demonstrable impact, innovation, and value.

Cloud Team of the Year

This award is for that super-star cloud team that either identified an issue or worked on a project, and consequently designed an outstanding result. Our judges are looking for tangible outcomes and value as well as strong examples of why the team was so effective working together.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced use case(s) with tangible outcomes and value and strong examples of why the team worked well together.

Cloud Channel Partner of the Year

Channel partners have undergone significant disruption in their models, we want to hear about those how have delivered significant value to their clients not just in terms of reselling but also in value-add services and support. Our judges are looking for well-evidenced and multiple examples of tangible value and outcomes.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced use case(s) with clearly demonstrable use of industry good practice, industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.

Cloud Leader of the Year

We are looking for that stand out leader who has demonstrated clear expertise in one or more forms of cloud technologies. Our judges are looking for clear examples where the nominated individual has applied these skills to bring outcomes and benefits and how they are a role model, mentor or advocate.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based.

· Evidenced and demonstrated expertise in one or more forms of cloud technologies with clear examples where the nominated individual has applied these skills to bring outcomes and benefits and how they are a role model, mentor or advocate

Newcomer of the Year

Our judges are looking for the next super-star (they must be under 35 years old after 1 Nov 19). Someone who has demonstrated clear expertise in one or more forms of cloud technologies, where they have applied these skills to bring outcomes and benefits as well as being a role model, mentor or advocate.

This category is now closed

· Less than 500 words written submission or less than 5 minute video.

· Must be UK-based and less than 35 years old on or after 1 Nov 19.

· Evidenced and demonstrated expertise in one or more forms of cloud technologies with clear examples where the nominated individual has applied these skills to bring outcomes and benefits and how they are a role model, mentor or advocate.

How should I prepare my entry and how will the judges review and score my submission?

As Chair of the Judges for UK Cloud Awards 2020, I wish to give all nominations the best opportunity to impress the judging panel. I urge you to read the following guidance to help you prepare your entry and how we will score.

  1. The All Important Terms & Conditions! I wish to be explicit on this as I have made it clear to all of the judging panel to disqualify any entry that does not fulfil the entry conditions. Please read the entry criteria carefully and answer the questions in the category that you are entering. For example, if we say that the product must have been released or had a major update on or after 1 November 2018, make sure that you evidence this. If you fail to do this your entry will not be considered and your effort wasted. 
  2. Double Bubble! Don’t attempt to submit duplicate entries in the same category, however, please feel free to submit entries in more than one category where you meet the criteria.
  3. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify! We urge you to avoid jargon and repetition. Use plain language that is easy to understand the strengths of your entry. Complex language leads to ambiguity and you will lose impact. In addition, copy and pasting material from your website or sales & marketing brochures will be quickly recognised by our expert judges. Focus on short, clearly articulated statements that have detail, with only 500 words, don’t waste your precious content space.  
  4. Evidence, Evidence, Evidence! Talk about outcomes – then prove them. Our industry exists not for the technology’s sake but for a positive impact for our customers – show us and delight us with facts and data. We love to read how technological excellence translates directly into business benefits for the end-customer - this will capture our attention. Entries with client testimonial and contact details for endorsement are powerful.
  5. Be Authentic, Be Human! This applies especially for the projects and individual categories. We want to hear about the aims of the project or the journey of the individual. We especially want to see what challenges were encountered and how they were overcome. We know that life is not perfect, we know that no projects or deliveries go without a hiccup on the way. Use this to bring your story to life, to celebrate your success and to connect with the judging panel.  
  6. Walk A Mile In Someone Else’s Shoes! Place yourself in the judges’ seat. They will be reading a lot of entries, so your entry needs to stand out from crowd. Be explicit, answer the questions and prove with you are the best. 
  7. No Cold Calling! You will be allowed to submit additional supporting material such as referenceable case studies or commentary from industry analysts, but don’t use sales brochures or sponsored copy, the scoring is judged on your 500 words and the back-up material should be additional evidence to confirm your statements, the judges are not going to be buying your product or service in this process! Further, some entrants may believe that trying to approach judges during the process is an effective tactic – I assure you it is not, part of my role to ensure the integrity of the awards, improper influence will not induce a favourable result. If you have any questions, please read the criteria again and if you are still unsure, please speak to the organising committee.
  8. Points Make Prizes! Finally, the judges want to award points for your entries, so give them the reasons to do it. If you ignore the advice given, you will lose out to those that do. Do not be tempted to interpret the criteria, rules or process - it will not help you be successful.

I look forward to reading your submissions and celebrating the growth and successes in our industry. Good Luck!