Concurso "Develop without Borders"

Un concurso impulsado por Microsoft y HP, denominado "Develop Without Borders Challenge" (Desarrollo sin Barreras) convoca a desarrolladores y programadores de softwares a aplicar para implementar soluciones que ayuden a organizaciones sin fines de lucro.

El concepto es simple: Los desarrolladores escogerán la organización de caridad que deseen ayudar y proponer una solution basada en Office 2007. La solución mas impactante y que mejor utilice el sistema Office se hará acreedora de mas de $160,000 en premios para implementarla.

Por favor difundir esta información entre los interesados ya que puede ser una buena oportunidad para que se dé mas impulso a organizaciones andinas de montaña.

DEVELOP WITHOUT BORDERS CHALLEGE Reach out. Make a difference

Design an application on the 2007 Microsoft Office system between June 26th and October 1st, 2006 to help your favorite charity https://www.developwithoutborders.com

CUSTOMER FACING MESSAGE BELOW

Overview

As a developer, solution architect, or value-added reseller, you have a unique understanding and ability to solve problems through the use of technology. You know how to harness it effectively, to resolve problems and streamline processes. You do this everyday in the word of business and commerce. Why not use your talents to help a cause you really care about?

Microsoft, together with HP, is sponsoring a solutions contest where we are challenging you, the developer, solution architect, and value added reseller to apply your software development skills to something that will have a more lasting effect. Something that you"re passionate about or a cause you"re already donating your time and energy.

The ‘ Develop without Borders" contest all submissions are targeted at helping charitable organizations solve outstanding business problems. Contestants will select a charitable organization of their liking and identify a business problem that the platform technologies of the 2007 Microsoft Office system can solve. Our goal is that you will see a way to benefit an charitable organization you"re aligned with, take the time to understand how the 2007 Office system platform can provide a greater impact to the organization, and decide to architect and submit a solution that Microsoft & HP will help make it see the light of day.

CONTEST DETAILS - INTERNAL

Overview

Together with DPE, the IW Platform team is sponsoring a Solutions contest to gain awareness for and an understanding of the 2007 Microsoft Office System.  The contest is named the ‘ Develop without Borders" (DwB) solutions challenge, all submissions are targeted at helping a charitable organization solve and outstanding business problem. Our goal is to make sure developers, solution architects, and value-added resellers understand that Office in no longer just about personal productivity on the client; but a platform for development which expands client, server, services, and tools. We believe by appealing to their intrinsic nature they would see a way to benefit an organization they are aligned with, take the time to understand how a solution leveraging the entire Office system platform could benefit their favorite charitable organization, and decide to architect and submit a solution using that knowledge

With such a contest, even without winning, charitable organizations get a “professional” assessment of their business challenges and suggested routes to solve those problems.  Those developers that do win will get up to USD $50,000 (combination of cash, hardware, services, and software) to implement the solution within the charity of their choosing.  Winning submissions and contestants will also be publicized for all to see what constitutes a good Office System solution the solution developer will be recognized for his/her talent.    

Submissions

• The submission process will be such that contestant must give consideration to their submission but not so involved as to discourage worthy entries. 


• Contestant will submit
  
  
  
  • a business problem facing a charitable organization
  
  
  • a recommended and architected Office System-based solution to that business problem
  
  
  • anticipated benefits of implementing the solution. 
  
  
  
  


• It is suggested that all submissions address business problems in the area of BI, Search, ECM, or collaboration. 


• A sample entry will be provided to give contestants an idea of what such a submission looks like.  


• Contact information for a representative of the charitable organization will have to be provided to ensure a genuine business need and that if chosen is likely to be implemented. 


• All submissions will be in US English and will be taken online.

Judging

We will enact a Community Judging Board which will be made up of Microsoft IW & DPE employees, HP, and a select number of board members from Microsoft Corporation approved charities. The expectation is that the solution is sufficiently detailed that a developer unfamiliar with the project could be reasonably expected to build the solution from the submitted documentation. 

Prizes

We will have a total of 11 winning charities:

1-Grand Prize Winner
2-1 st Place Winner
3-2 nd Place Winner
5-3 rd Place Winner

Along with 11 winning contestants (devs, solution arichitects, VARs) who were responsible for submitting the proposed solution. To date the award structure will be a monetary amount given to the winning charities in Hardware from HP, Software from MSFT, and services from MCS in order to implement the solution.