Nomination FAQ

Q: How do I enter the iAwards?

A: To enter the iAwards simply nominate online. It is a self nomination process (except for Individual Categories).

Q: Is there a fee to nominate in the iAwards program?

A: The iAwards nomination fee for group categories is $330 (inc GST).  It is complimentary for the Individual Categories and Student Domain nominations. Nominations will not be accepted until payment has been received. Payment should be made online through the iAwards system, or can be made via EFT.   

Q: I would like to enter the same product in two group categories, can I do this and if so do I have to pay twice?

A: As long as the product meets the criteria for that category, you are able to enter it into multiple categories however you will need to pay for each entry.

Q: Do we need to be an AIIA, ACS or Pearcey member to nominate?

A: No, you do not have to be an AIIA, ACS or Pearcey member to nominate for an iAward, the program is open to anyone or any company that has an ICT innovation.

Q: Our company has developed a product specifically for a client. Can we enter the iAwards program or does the client have to enter?

A: You are welcome to nominate your company and use your client as a referee or, alternatively, you can submit a joint nomination. iAwards celebrate great partnerships and innovative applications of technology, so we actively encourage the end user to nominate for an award.

Q: If I have previously entered the iAwards can I enter again?

A: Any innovation which has won a National iAward or Merit in the previous three years is ineligible to enter the award, with or without product enhancement. The exceptions are Winners/Merit of the R&D category may enter within the 3 year restriction if their product/solution is now commercialised and fits the criteria of another relevant category.

If your solution has won a State iAward, been a Merit recipient at either the State or National level or you have entered but not won an iAward, you are more than welcome to enter again.

Q:  Our company is in VIC but our customer is in NSW, which state do I nominate under?

A: The State/Territory of the nomination is where the majority of the product/project was undertaken. If a national organisation is nominating jointly with a client outside their head office then the client project location would be the appropriate State/Territory to submit under.

If your organisation is entering in more than one State/Territory you may need to register an entrant account for each State/Territory office and submit the relevant product/project/solution in the appropriate State/Territory.

Q: Our Customer is based overseas however the solution was created in Australia, am I still eligible to enter?

A: If least 51% of product development efforts including research, development and design has taken place in Australia you are eligible to enter.  Additionally the company / organisation must be registered and operating in Australia (Australian Business Number required).

Q: While we own the IP to the industry specific code we have developed, our solution also uses some Open Source IP. Could you please advise if this renders us ineligible?

A: The nominee must own the IP of the solution which they are nominating for the award.  IP ownership relates to the development of a solution which can be based on open source or other platforms.

Q: I wish to nominate a person for an Individual Award however they work for a Host Partner, can I still nominate them?

A:  Current office bearers or directors of the host organisations can not be nominated for the Individual Categories.  However representatives from Sponsors, Endorsers ACS, AIIA and Pearcey Foundation can nominate suitable Individuals.

Q: Does a SaaS solution constitute a Product in terms of a submission?

A: The New Product category is specifically for products or ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions that can be implemented as Software as a Service, a desktop or server application. A simple implementation of the solution is what indicates it is a product as it is a standard installation and does not require bespoke development to deploy.

Q: For the innovation aspect of what the judges are looking for, is there an expected level of I.P. that needs to be revealed for a successful entry?

A: We appreciate the sensitivity around IP and we recommend you use your discretion as to commercial risk in revealing your innovation. If you succeed at the State/Territory level and proceed onto the National Finals you will present to the judging panel and they may ask specific questions if they require further information.

Submission FAQ

Q: Can I submit multiple nominations for my company?

A: Yes. Companies are able to submit multiple entries for the iAwards program, either for the same category or across different categories if the innovation meets the category criteria. If you are submitting multiple entries, you will need to pay multiple entries fees and complete the specific nomination form for that category.

Q: What are the selection criteria for the iAwards?

A: The iAwards selection criteria are provided to assist you in completing your nomination and must be adhered to, however, you are encouraged to highlight the inspirational and innovative aspects of your nomination. The judges will take the selection criteria into account when reviewing nominations. The selection criteria are included on the website.

Q: What content will the Judges be expecting to see in the general sections on the nomination form?

A: NOMINATION DESCRIPTION

This is a very brief overview of your company/group and your solution/project/product.  It should briefly identify who you are, what the product/solution/project does and why it's innovative/unique.  If you are successful, this text will be used in the program at the Awards dinner so it should be a concise overview that let’s readers know who you are and what the product/solution/project is.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF NOMINATION (250 words)

The section is the more detailed outline of the overall nomination including the “Who, What and Why of the nomination”.  You should include a brief reference to market analysis and what problem you were trying to solve by creating the product/solution/project

PRODUCT OR SOLUTION SYNOPSIS (250 words)

This section should focus solely on the specifics of the product/solution/project being entered.

Q: Do I need to supply supporting material?


A: For group categories, yes, absolutely. You are requested to attach a high quality version of your logo and two print resolution (300 dpi) photographs illustrating your solution in action that can be used for publicity should you win.   In addition you can optionally include a video (maximum3-minute) about your product (Flash movies [.FLV] preferred), product brochures, referee statements or any other material that supports your nomination.

Q: How much is ‘too much’ information?


A: As a courtesy to our judges and due to the large number of nominations we receive, it is important that you keep to the specified word limits in your nomination.

Q: Quality (technology, methodology, packaging and recognition) - what does this mean?


A: The 'quality’ selection criteria measures whether the product:

•   shows a good deployment of the latest technology

•   satisfies the ISO / CMM standards

•   has a degree of compliance with any requirements of its target usage

•   has won awards locally, regionally or internationally

•   has consistently proven to be a stable and reliable product by users.

This does not apply to all categories - please check the relevant category page.

Q: Who should referees be?

A: In general a referee should be an end user of the product or service.  They should not have a pecuniary interest in your company or product, and should not be what is considered “close or immediate family” – not a parent, sibling, spouse/partner (or in-law) and so on. 

In the case of a joint nomination the referees could be other clients that are familiar with your product/solution, and can vouch for the general quality and features of your product. Whilst the client submitting the nomination with you cannot be the referee, as they are not independent, perhaps a customer or end user of the solution could provide a reference testimony.

Q: When will my referee be contacted

A: A random selection of referee’s will be contacted during both phases of judging.

Q: How can I prepare our referees?

A: We recommend you send a copy of your submission to your referees so they are aware of your claims in your nomination and they can support this in their reference.

Judging FAQs

Q: What is the Judging process for Individual Categories?


A: iAwards Individual base categories judging is a one stage process where the:

• Judging panel will assess nominations and then conduct subsequent panel teleconferences to decide whether selected nominees will be required for individual interviews.

• Judging will be based on the information given by the nominee in response to the selection criteria listed on the iAwards website

There is no need for Individual category nominees to attend an in-person presentation. Finalists are notified and are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony and gala dinner in Melbourne on 8 August 2013.

 

Q: Will the judges do their own independent investigations of the organisation or will they only consider information provided in the application?

A: All judging will be based on the written submission provided.  Judges will not conduct independent investigations beyond publically accessible material such as your website, news or other online references. They will also use the referees as a verification of the information you provide in your submission.

 

Q: Do Judges provided feedback on our submissions

A: Judges are expressly forbidden to provide any comment or feedback to the nominator concerning the strength or shortcomings of their submission.  This applies during the entire judging process, including the period before judging, during judging, and even after judging has been completed and the awards given.  It is important that the judges do not comment or get involved in any analysis of the relative merits of the various submissions.

 

Q: If we are selected as a state winner, do we have to travel to Melbourne for the national judging?’

A: For group categories, you don’t have to travel to Melbourne for the judging, however, it is strongly encouraged as an in-person presentation is much more impressive and enables the judges to gain a much better insight into your innovation. For individual categories, there will be no face to face judging in Melbourne like there is for the group categories. You will be notified that you are a finalist, and we strongly urge you to attend the Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner in Melbourne on 8 August 2013.

Winners FAQs

Q: When will I find out if I am a winner?

A: Nominees and Entrants will find out if you are a state winner at the state iAwards Presentation Events in June. These events will be promoted on the iAwards website and all nominees will also be sent details. Once the state winners have been announced, the iAwards Team will then contact the State winners to discuss the arrangements for attending the judging in Melbourne which will be held on August 5 & 6 2013.

 

Q: What do I win if I am a Group State iAward Winner?

A: Group Category iAward State Winners will win:

• An iAwards plaque,

• The right to use state iAward winner logo on Group publicity materials and website,

• Entry into the national competition.

 

Q: What do I win if I am a Group National iAward Winner?


A: Group Category iAward National Winners will win:

• An iAwards trophy,

• The right to use iAward winner logo on company publicity materials and website,

• The opportunity to attend the Asia-Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA).

 

Q: What do I win if I am an Individual National iAward Winner?


A: Individual Category iAward National Winners will win:

• An iAwards trophy,

• The right to use iAward winner logo on company publicity materials and website,

• Complimentary one year subscription to the ACS membership

• Opportunities to present at the ACS and AIIA events to promote ICT as rewarding and challenging career

AIIA and ACS will also publish information about winners on our website and release media releases at each stage.

 

Q. If I am successful and win an iAward, am I required to make a speech?

A: If you are successful and are called up to accept your award, you will not be required to give a speech. It will simply be the presentation and a photo of your acceptance.

Event FAQ

Q: If I am a Nominee, do I get a discount to the iAwards Gala Dinner?

A: Nominees pay a reduced price for the Gala Dinner. If you book a table of 10 this reduced rate will be applied to the entire table

 

Q: What is the dress code for the iAwards Gala Dinner?

A: After 5 Business/Evening wear.

 

Q: Is the iAwards Gala Dinner when the winners will be announced?


A: No. As of 2011 the majority of Group Category presentations will take place during a pre-dinner awards ceremony commencing at 5.30. The Gala Dinner commences at 7pm.

Q: Where is the iAwards Gala Dinner being hosted?

A: At the Palladium at Crown, 8 Whiteman Street, Melbourne.

Further Questions?

If you have any questions or require any assistance with your iAwards campaign, please contact the iAwards team on 1300 665 145.