From Scepticism to Celebration
When our strategic marketing consultant first suggested we enter the UK IT Industry Awards, we’ll admit, we weren’t entirely convinced as what the “value” could be. But fast-forward a few months, and we’re very glad we listened!
We entered ManagementStudio in the Technology Innovation of the Year category and were absolutely delighted to find ourselves named finalists back in August. These awards, hosted by Computing and the British Computer Society (BCS), stand out in a plethora of IT awards. Yes, there’s a small entry fee but the judging process is rigorous, detailed, and refreshingly authentic. In short, they really are valuable.
The Judging Day Challenge
Becoming a finalist was only half the journey. Next came Judging Day in September, with ten minutes to present our innovation and its customer impact, followed by twenty minutes of in-depth questioning from a panel that included a computer science lecturer, a software CEO, and a senior Deloitte manager.
It was not a box-ticking exercise! The judges knew their stuff, asked sharp questions, and genuinely wanted to understand what made ManagementStudio unique. By the end, our initial scepticism had completely vanished; this was an award programme with real credibility and technical insight.
The Big Night
After much internal debate we decided to take a table at the awards dinner – both to celebrate our team’s achievement and to thank some of our amazing customers for their continued support.
The evening did not disappoint! The night opened with an incredible Lion King performance by Heartburn, setting a fantastic tone for the event. The ceremony itself was hosted by Hugh Dennis, of Outnumbered and Mock the Week fame, who kept everyone entertained throughout.
And can we just say catering for nearly a thousand people and managing to serve piping hot, delicious food was very impressive!
Then came the moment we’d been waiting for: the Technology Excellence categories. With bated breath, we watched the big screen and were absolutely thrilled to be announced as Highly Commended in the Technology Innovation of the Year category! The overall winner was Bridgeworks so congratulations to them.
A Night to Remember
Post awards the live band High on Heels took the stage, and we reflected on an unforgettable evening, one that was filled with great conversation, fabulous company, and a shared sense of achievement.
We pride ourselves on listening to our customers to continue to innovate solutions that solve their business challenges. Being recognised by Computing and the BCS as a Highly Commended innovator is a milestone for us, not just for the company but also for our technology and we are all incredibly proud of this accolade.
Now, what category shall we enter for 2026?????
