Individual awards
Most influential end user organisation in Middle East networking
This award honours the organisation which has led the way in networking over the past 12 months. Nominations should outline successful projects or initiatives at said organisation, and illustrate how the organisation has gone on to influence other end users in the Middle East.

Networking professional of the year
Awarded to the single person who has made the greatest positive impact on the Middle East networking community. Nominations should outline how the individual has contributed to the community, and what he or she has delivered to their specific organisation. This person should not be employed by a vendor, distributor, integrator or consultant.

Implementation awards
Best fixed network implementation
This award honours the best fixed wired network project in the region. Nominations should address the particular challenges faced in the implementation, such as fulfilling a particular business need, or overcoming a logistical hurdle. Illustrations of how the project utilised available technologies effectively to produce a result will be taken into account, in addition to examples of intelligent and forward-looking designs.

Best wireless network implementation
Awarded to the best wireless (Wi-Fi or otherwise) network implementation. Entries should include details of what particular needs the project addressed, and how the project team worked to minimise security risks, as well as overcome physical challenges.

Best security implementation
Honouring the best example of a successful security project in the Middle East, nominations for this award should focus on how the implementation addressed the dynamic needs of an organisation in securing its network and detail the technologies used in the project. Reasons for the choice of technology, implementation challenges faced and overcome and eventual payback from the system should also be included.

Best datacentre deployment
This award will highlight the best datacentre deployment, involving a greenfield implementation or the upgrade of an existing datacentre, in a Middle East enterprise. Information on the process followed prior to implementation, the trials which were surmounted by the organisation and the eventual benefits to the firm should be taken into account.

Best real estate implementation
This award will be presented to the best deployment of infrastructure and network components for a construction project(s) in the region, keeping in mind the unique challenges faced in the field with such implementations. Nominations should provide extensive details on the technology involved, the connection methodology and security measures used, if applicable, and ongoing training and support within the organisation.

Most innovative use of new technology
This award seeks to promote the uptake of new networking technologies or systems in the region. Nominations should detail a project which includes extensive use of a recently-developed technology or system not widely seen in the region. Details of why this technology was chosen, how the organisation handled implementation and training, and what the cost implications and justifications were, should be included.

Networking implementation with best RoI
Awarded to the network project which delivers the best direct return on investment. Nominations should focus on the business reasons behind the implementation, and detail the return on the investment in measurable terms (not necessarily financial). Illustrations of how the project delivers ongoing returns will be taken into account.

Product/company awards
Best security product range
This award is presented to the best product or range of products available in the region which focus on securing an organisation’s network or IT infrastructure. This can be for hardware or software. Nominations should detail successes the product(s) have had in the region over the past 12 months, and how it differs from other similar systems.

Best wireless networking product range
This award goes to the best wireless product or product range available in the region. Not limited to Wi-Fi, but should focus on enterprise wireless technologies, not consumer systems.

Best fixed networking product range
Awarded to the best fixed wired network product or product range available in the region, excluding cabling products.

Best cabling product range
Awarded to the best cabling product or product range available in the region. This can include both copper and fibre-optic systems.

Best networking integrator in the Middle East
This award honours the best overall systems integrator in the regional networking community. Nominations should focus on how the integrator adds value to projects, as well as how it deals with ongoing issues or servicing with a project.

Best networking vendor in the Middle East
Awarded to the vendor with the best overall offering to regional organisations, including technology, products, services and support. Nominations should include specific initiatives the vendor has introduced to improve its offering in the Middle East, such as training, support, localisation etc.