Computerworld Excellence Awards 2007
Submission for Excellence in the Use of ICT in a Small Business
(max 25 employees)
Category Definition and Qualification
This award is concerned with how ICT has been used effectively within small businesses within New Zealand to support
core business processes. The technology must be fully operational by 31 December 2006.
Eligible organisations are those that satisfy the following criteria:
Have been established for a minimum of 12 months
Have a staff of 25 or less
Can demonstrate business sustainability
Eligible ICT solutions are those that satisfy the following criteria:
The solution is deployed in the organisation itself, not by the organisation (i.e. solutions implemented by information
technology vendors for clients do not qualify, solutions implemented within an information technology vendor do
qualify)
The solution is utilised in the delivery of core business activities
The solution has made a demonstrable difference to the operation of the business
In evaluating the entries for this award the judges will be looking for solutions that:
Effectively support the core business operations of sustainable organisations
Demonstrate a clear benefit to the business and/or its business partners
Have been cost effective and demonstrate a high return on investment
Have met or exceeded the stated objectives of the solution
Leverage technology in an effective and innovative way
Have made a demonstrable difference to the organisation concerned
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please use this document as the template for your submission. Supply all contact information and
then answer the relevant questions or provide the requested information in the space underneath
each point. The grey box is simply a guide for placement of your response and not a space limitation.
You may include graphics to assist your submission if you wish. Please aim for clarity in your
responses and try not to exceed six pages. Once you have completed your submission, please PDF
the document (making the file name ‘SB_company name’) and email it to
Sue_McIntosh@fairfaxbm.co.nz. If you need any assistance, please call the Fairfax Business Media
events team on 0800 434 3976.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Details: (please supply all details requested)
Name:
Title:
Company:
Postal Address:
Street Address:
City:
Telephone:
Mobile:
Email:
Project Name:
1. Write a brief description (200 words or less) of the nature and operation of your business. Include
details of your product or service, your major markets, the size of your business, the structure of
your business and the history of your business. Identify what differentiates your business from
others in your industry.
2. Write a description of the information technology solution that has been deployed to support
your core business. What specific technologies were used and why were they chosen?
3. What were the business drivers for implementing the solution and why did you see the need to
utilise information technology to address them?
4. What were the critical success factors that were expected to be met by implementing the
solution, and describe the success of the solution with respect to these critical success factors?
5. Briefly describe the approach that was used in selecting, developing and implementing the
solution.
6. Identify the overall costs of the solution categorised by hardware, software, services and the time
spent by your own staff. If possible also identify the Return on Investment (ROI) achieved (or
expected) by implementing the solution.
7. What were the key challenges faced in implementing the solution. Describe activities surrounding
staff involvement, training, impact on operations and your business partners.
8. How has the solution enhanced your business and why should it be considered for this award?
9. What other benefits, tangible or intangible resulted from the implementation of the solution?
10. Please supply details of two users whom our judges may contact as references:
User Reference 1
Name:
Company:
Telephone:
Mobile:
Email:
User Reference 2
Name:
Company:
Telephone:
Mobile:
Email:
11. Please list all technology suppliers involved in the project:
12. Describe the way in which the application is managed and maintained (e.g. change management,
backups, security):
13. Please supply any other information that may assist your submission and/or list any supporting
documentation that is available on request: