Come Join the Judges

For the Network Computing technology editors, the annual Interop conference in Las Vegas gives us a chance to get an up-close look at new IT products and services. But we do more than just look: For the past several years our editors have served as judges for the Best of Interop awards.

We select winning products in seven categories, including Application Networks and Performance, Security and Infrastructure. We also give awards for Best Start-Up and an overall Interop winner. To be eligible, a product can't have been announced before January 1, and must be available by August 15, 2006.

Our judging process starts in February, when we begin previewing the products that will debut at the show. This three-month lead helps us stay ahead of the curve--by the time the show opens, we're well-acquainted with product specifics.

For you, the upside is we've pre-sorted the wheat from the chaff. If you're in Vegas for Interop, join me and the other editors for the awards ceremony Tuesday, May 2. Then spend some time with the finalists and winners Wednesday and Thursday, and judge their products for yourselves.