SD Times 100
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the SD Times 100 a product award?

A: The SD Times 100 recognizes companies, individuals and non-commercial organizations (such as open source projects) for innovation and leadership. It is not a product award.

Q: Who may nominate a company, individual or organization for the SD Times 100?

A: Anyone reader of SD Times is welcome to submit nominations.

Q: May a company, individual or organization nominate itself?

A: Yes.

Q: Is there a fee or charge for nominations for the SD Times 100?

A: There is no charge or fee of any sort associated with the SD Times 100.

Q: Is a reader nomination necessary?

A: Reader nominations help ensure that a company, individual and organization is considered. However, judges submit their own nominations for the SD Times 100, so it's not necessary that a reader nominate a company, individual or organization in order for it to be considered.

Q: Should we solicit our customers to nominate us? Will a flood of nominations help our chances of winning?

A: No, that won't help at all. We don't tally up nominations like ballots. So, save the effort.

Q: Who are the judges of the SD Times 100?

A: The editors of SD Times, and of other BZ Media publications, are the judges.

Q: What criteria do the judges use in deciding which companies, individuals and organizations comprise the SD Times 100?

A: The judges consider what innovation or leadership a nominee has demonstrated during the past calendar year, and whether that innovation and leadership has significantly influenced the software development industry. For example, we consider "buzz," which is how much other industry players talk about the nominee, either admiringly or as a competitor. We also look back over SD Times' recent coverage of each company, to see how much news it generated. That's a key indication of leadership and innovation.

Q: Is market share or company size a consideration?

A: Size and market share are definitely considerations. Certainly, larger companies have the resources for demonstrating leadership and innovation, and frequently do. However, the SD Times 100 is not a simple listing of the largest companies in our market, because many of the more exciting developments come out of smaller organizations. The SD Times 100 has always reflected a mix of large and small companies, as well as individuals and non-commercial organizations.

Q: Can my company do a presentation to the judges as to why we should be an SD Times 100 winner?

A: We do not solicit or accept presentations from the nominees.

Q: If my company does not win, will you tell me why?

A: We do not provide reasons why nominees weren't selected for the SD Times 100.

Q. Is the SD Times 100 logo available?

A. Winners of the SD Times 100 are entitled to use the logo, which may be downloaded in a number of formats for print and the Web.

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