The deadline for entering this year’s Computing Awards for Excellence is rapidly approaching, so now is the time to submit your nominations for the Oscars of the IT industry.

The closing date for entries is 6 July, which is just two weeks away. The awards are designed to recognise and reward the contribution of individuals, teams and organisations that have excelled in the use, development and deployment of IT. If you, your team, your company or one of your colleagues deserves to win, then we want to hear from you as soon as possible.

The winners of the 15th annual Computing awards will be announced at a lavish prize-giving ceremony, to be held at the Battersea Park Events Arena in London on 7 November.

Gaining a Computing award can be a major boost for your company’s profile and its business opportunities, and also for your career.

The full list of categories is provided below. All you need to do is submit up to 750 words describing to our judging panel why you would be a worthy winner. We look forward to receiving your entries.

Computing Awards for Excellence 2007

Project awards

Private Sector Project of the Year

The best IT project completed over the past year by a private sector organisation. The project will deliver a demonstrable return on investment and support significant improvements to business processes and/or increased profitability and competitiveness.

Public Sector Project of the Year

The best IT project completed over the past 12 months by a public sector organisation. The project will have delivered improvements in public services or new ways of working that enable greater efficiency or cost-effectiveness in the organisation.

Innovative Project of the Year

The most inventive use of new technology in the public or private sector to support organisational improvements, or involving the use of IT to deliver innovative new services.

Community Project of the Year

The best IT project completed during the past 12 months that uses technology to benefit the community. It could deliver improvements to charity fundraising or support local initiatives, or recognise companies working with the community through corporate social responsibility programmes.

Green IT Project of the Year

The best IT project completed during the past 12 months that has used technology to improve the environment or lower corporate environmental impact. We reward the organisation that has achieved the most significant environmental benefits through IT.

Outsourcing Project of the Year

The best example of a project that involves outsourcing IT work, and potentially IT staff, during the past 12 months. The project will demonstrate best practice in transitioning to outsourcing, project and programme management and HR, bringing improvements to the organisation and career development opportunities for affected employees.

Student Project of the Year

The best project by a student at any level of education with the potential to advance, improve or develop IT with a wider use in the private or public sector. We are particularly keen to hear from university students or their tutors who wish to enter project work completed as part of their degree course.

Individual and Team awards

IT Leader of the Year

This is one of the most prestigious individual awards in UK IT, awarded to a chief information officer, IT director or other board-level IT executive. The winner will have consistently demonstrated excellence in leadership, innovation and quality in the use and promotion of technology throughout their organisation to deliver business growth or improvements in public services.

IT Professional of the Year

Awarded to any individual working in IT, whether part of an IT department, business unit or small business. The winner will be an individual who has consistently demonstrated excellence in innovation and quality in the use and promotion of IT in their organisation to deliver business growth or improvements in public services.

IT Department of the Year

Awarded to the IT department in any private or public sector organisation that has consistently proved their excellence in the delivery and support of IT services.

IT Team of the Year

Awarded to any team within an IT department, whether a permanent group, such as a support or operations team, or an ad hoc team created for a specific business initiative. The winner will be the team that has consistently demonstrated excellence in innovation and quality in the use of IT and shown significant achievement during the past 12 months.

Company awards

Best IT Strategy

Awarded to the company or public body that demonstrates how the development or implementation of its IT strategy has helped to meet objectives, achieve greater competitiveness or improve public services during the past 12 months. The winning organisation will show how IT is fundamental to achieving business goals.

Best Small Business IT Strategy

Awarded to the company or public body with fewer than 500 employees that demonstrates how the development or implementation of its IT strategy has helped to meet objectives, achieve greater competitiveness or improve public services during the past 12 months. The winner will show how IT is fundamental to achieving its business goals.

IT Employer of the Year

Awarded to the organisation that provides the best employment and career opportunities for IT professionals. The winner will be selected after a major research programme commissioned by Computing. Entries for this award are not required.

Industry awards

Awarded to the companies that Computing readers think provide the best quality, value for money, innovative products and services in each category.

• Business Hardware Supplier of the Year
• Business Software Supplier of the Year
• IT Services Supplier of the Year
• Networking and Communications Supplier of the Year
• IT PR Company of the Year
• Recruitment Consultancy of the Year
• Technology Advertising Campaign of the Year

Editor’s award - Outstanding Contribution to UK IT

This award will be chosen by the editor of Computing, to recognise the most significant contribution to the UK IT profession during 2007.

How to enter

Further details on all awards, including judging criteria, are available online. The closing date for entries is 6 July 2007. We are accepting entries submitted via our web site at: www.computing.co.uk/awards.