InfoWorld and The Open Group Debut Annual Enterprise Architecture Awards Program

SEATTLE, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- THE OPEN GROUP CONFERENCE, InfoWorld, The Open Group, and Forrester Research, Inc. today unveiled a new awards program to hundreds of enterprise architects, IT executives and industry thought leaders attending The Open Group Conference in Seattle. Presented in collaboration with The Open Group and Forrester Research, an independent research firm, the annual InfoWorld Enterprise Architecture Awards will recognize companies whose transformative enterprise architecture initiatives have delivered substantial business benefit to their organization. To be considered for the 2010 awards, companies should complete the following nomination form: http://www.infoworld.com/infoworld-ea-awards.

"In the last few years, enterprise architecture has emerged as a catalyst for creating closer links between IT and business," said Allen Brown, president and CEO, The Open Group. "Our new awards program aims to raise awareness about the significant business value enterprise architecture is delivering to organizations around the world. We strongly encourage our members to participate in this important awards program that will celebrate the most transformative uses of enterprise architecture and educate the industry on its true potential."

The InfoWorld Enterprise Architecture Awards program will name five companies that have made the best use of enterprise architecture to advance strategic business goals. All nominations will be reviewed by a panel of practicing enterprise architects from within The Open Group's staff and member community, and Forrester analysts. Winners will have their case studies published in InfoWorld.com, and spotlighted in an Open Group book on enterprise architecture success. The final deadline for submitting nominations is May 31, 2010.

"InfoWorld is proud to work with The Open Group and Forrester Research in this exciting awards program," said Eric Knorr, editor in chief, InfoWorld. "Enterprise architects are a key segment of InfoWorld's audience and they play a vital role in aligning IT with business goals. It's high time an awards program gave architects their due and recognized those who provide vision and leadership across the organization."

"As IT knows all too well, it can no longer operate separate from business. At the same time, the business recognizes the impact technology has on its strategies and outcomes – what Forrester calls Business Technology – and enterprise architects must be at the center of the action," said Alex Cullen, vice president and research director for Forrester's research for Enterprise Architecture Professionals. "In recognition of these broader responsibilities to the business facing today's enterprise architect, judges  will award the winners based on the impact of the EA program on the business, such as greater strategic agility, improved alignment between business goals and capabilities, streamlined processes or reduced costs."

Nominees are encouraged to read the InfoWorld Enterprise Architecture Awards FAQ, which can be found on the official awards page, before submitting the nomination form to improve their chances of selection.

About InfoWorld Media Group
InfoWorld Media Group helps IT solutions management choose the right technology, within the context of a cohesive strategy, for business impact at their organizations. Rather than merely covering the enterprise technology market, InfoWorld identifies and promotes emerging technology segments that add unique value for the organizations that implement them, as well as the vendors that provide those solutions. Using an integrated communications approach including online, events, research, and a continued investment in an independent Test Center, InfoWorld analysts and editors provide both hands-on analysis and evaluation, as well as expert commentary on issues surrounding emerging technologies and products. Visit InfoWorld at www.infoworld.com.

About The Open Group

The Open Group is a vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium, which drives the creation of Boundaryless Information Flow™ that will enable access to integrated information within and between enterprises based on open standards and global interoperability. The Open Group works with customers, suppliers, consortia and other standard bodies. Its role is to capture, understand and address current and emerging requirements, establish policies and share best practices; to facilitate interoperability, develop consensus, and evolve and integrate specifications and open source technologies; to offer a comprehensive set of services to enhance the operational efficiency of consortia; and to operate the industry's premier certification service. Further information on The Open Group can be found at http://www.opengroup.org.

Independent Research Partner

About Forrester Research

Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) is an independent research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice to global leaders in business and technology. Forrester works with professionals in 20 key roles at major companies providing proprietary research, customer insight, consulting, events, and peer-to-peer executive programs. For more than 26 years, Forrester has been making IT, marketing, and technology industry leaders successful every day. For more information, visit www.forrester.com.

Note to Editors: Boundaryless Information Flow is a trademark of The Open Group.

SOURCE The Open Group