Official Contest Rules
CONTEST DESCRIPTION / ELIGIBILITY:
No purchase necessary. The Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Challenge (the
"Contest") is a skill contest in which Information Technology professionals are
asked to submit an online contest entry form summarizing their company's
experiences using Windows Server 2003 for judging by a panel of Microsoft
representatives based on the criteria set forth below. Winning entries will be
used to create a brief written document called a Solution Brief, to be
published on the Microsoft Web site (see
www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/ReferenceProfileList.asp for
examples). This trade promotion is open to Information Technology professionals
who own or are employed by a business or company currently using Microsoft
Windows Server 2003. All entry information is collected in the United States.
Residents of the following countries are ineligible to participate due to legal constraints:
Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Libya; North Korea; Sudan; Syria; and
Italy and Netherlands (due to gaming laws).
Limit one entry per person. Multiple entrants from the same company may enter
(i.e., different divisions of a company), but no more than one prize per
company will be awarded during the Entry Period.
The Contest begins at 12:00 AM PST (08:01 GMT) on January 5, 2004 and will end
at 11:59 PM PST on March 28, 2004 (07:59 GMT March 29, 2004) ("Entry Period").
Within this Entry Period there are two separate rounds: Round One is from 12:00
AM PST (08:01 GMT) on January 5 to 11:59 PM PST on February 15 (07:59 GMT
February 16). Round Two is from 12:00 AM PST (08:01 GMT) on February 16 to
11:59 PM PST on March 28 (07:59 GMT March 29).
Entries will be considered for the round during which they are received. Any
non-winning entries for Round One will be automatically considered for Round
Two.
Company solutions that have already been featured in Case Studies or Solution
Briefs posted on Microsoft's Web site (US or international sites) are not
eligible for entry in this contest.
Employees of Microsoft, their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and
promotional agencies and anyone working directly on this program, product or
promotion, and the immediate family members of each are not eligible to
participate. Void where prohibited by law.
Please Note: It is your sole responsibility to review and understand
your employer's policies regarding your eligibility to participate in trade
promotions such as the Windows Server 2003 Challenge. If you are participating
in violation of your employer's policies, you may be disqualified from entering
this Contest or receiving prizes. Microsoft disclaims any and all liability or
responsibility for disputes arising between an employee and their employer
related to this matter, and prizes will only be awarded in compliance with the
employer's policies.
HOW TO ENTER:
To enter, use your Web browser to go to
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/challenge. Click the link to
the online entry form (see "Submit your story here!"), complete the Submission
Form by answering all the questions on that page and submitting written
responses as required, and completing the contact information, then click the
"Submit" button. All written responses must be in English.
To be eligible for judging in Round One, online entries must be received no
later than 11:59 PM PT on February 15, 2004 (07:59 GMT February 16). To be
eligible for judging in Round Two, online entries must be received no later
than 11:59 PM PT on March 28, 2004 (07:59 GMT March 29). Multiple entries from
the same person will be disqualified.
By entering the Contest, you agree to allow a Microsoft representative to
contact you regarding potential Solution Brief/Case Study development and
reference opportunities.
All entries become the property of Microsoft and will not be returned. By
participating in the Contest, entrants certify that the submission is the
original creation of the contestant, the contestant has full rights to do the
submission or has the authority from their employer and customer (if
applicable) to submit the entry, and that the submission does not infringe on
any third-party rights and is suitable for publication as a Solution Brief on
the Microsoft Web site. Further, by participating in the Contest, contestants
grant Microsoft, a royalty-free, non-exclusive, perpetual worldwide license to
copy, modify and otherwise use and distribute their submission or any element
of the submission, in any and all media for the purpose of promoting
Microsoft's products and developing future products without additional
compensation. Contestants agree to defend and indemnify Microsoft, its
affiliates, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents
from any and all liability loss or damage of any kind, including attorney's
fees, arising from or in connection with the exercise of the rights described
above. No responsibility is assumed by Microsoft for lost, late, misdirected,
or illegible entries or for any computer, online, telephone or technical
malfunctions that may occur.
JUDGING CRITERIA/PRIZE WINNER SELECTION:
Entries will be judged by a panel of Microsoft representatives. Judging for
Round One will be completed no later than February 20, 2004; judging for Round
Two will be completed no later than April 2, 2004). Judging will be based upon
the following criteria.
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Criteria
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Definition
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Value
|
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Business Impact
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Use of Windows Server 2003 to achieve a quantifiable return on investment; i.e.,
capital or operational cost reductions or increased revenue.
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33.3%
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Infrastructure Efficiency
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Use of Windows Server 2003 to improve organization's efficiency (for
example, improved availability, interoperability, manageability,
performance, productivity, reliability, scalability, security, etc.).
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33.3%
|
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Innovative Usage
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Use of Windows Server 2003 to solve business problems with a unique and
innovative approach.
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33.4%
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After judging is completed, the following process will be followed:
-
Entries with the highest total scores, as awarded by the team of judges, will
be contacted during the week of February 23 (for Round One) or the week of
April 5 (for Round Two).
-
Each potential winner must return a signed release
form
(by March 1 for Round One, and by April 12 for Round Two), agreeing to allow
Microsoft to write a Solution Brief describing the company's experience using
Windows Server 2003. Solution Briefs will be up to two pages in length and will
be published on Microsoft.com.
-
A technical writer will be assigned to create the Solution Brief, interview the
potential winners, and confirm the data listed in the entry form. Each winner
will review and comment on the content of the Solution Brief.
-
Prizes will be awarded after the Solution Brief is completed and published on
www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003
In each round, prizes will be awarded based on overall scores according to the
above-specified judging criteria.
The decision of the judges is final and binding in all matters related to this
Contest. All prizes will be awarded provided a qualified number of entries are
received.
PRIZES:
Two categories of prizes will be awarded: Customer Prizes and Partner Prizes.
Customer Prizes will be awarded to the companies whose Windows Server 2003
experiences are being documented and whose entries are selected by judges as
winning entries, and that submit a notarized (or local equivalent)
release form signed by a senior executive, and that complete the
Solution Brief process.
Partner Prizes will only be awarded if a potential Customer Prize winner has indicated a services partner that was key to the deployment of the Windows Server 2003 in Question 7 on the Submission form. Partners will be asked to submit a notarized release form (or local equivalent) and must participate in an interview with the technical writer.
Prizes will be awarded to individuals only if company policy allows such an
award. Otherwise, prizes will be awarded to the company/business or to a
charity designated by the company.
The following prizes will be awarded:
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Round 1
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Qty. Awarded
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Customer Prize
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Partner Prize
|
|
Grand prize
|
1
|
Choice of $5,000 or one Philips 42" Plasma TV (ARV: up to $5,000); plus one Viewsonic M2000 Windows Media Center personal computer with a 17-inch LCD monitor (ARV: $2,198); two paid trips to Tech Ed (a 5-night trip for the winners to San Diego, CA, May 25-28, including air fare between the major gateway airport closest to the winner's home, 5 nights of hotel accommodations and two 5-day passes to Tech Ed (ARV: $4,095 for each trip); and one Xbox gaming console (ARV: $179) with a 12-month Xbox Live service subscription (ARV: $69). Total ARV: $15,636
|
Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business
Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $10,000 (any unused balance becomes
void and will not be refunded); and one paid trip to Tech Ed (a 5-night trip
for the winner to San Diego, CA, May 25-28, including air fare between the
major gateway airport closest to the winner's home, 5 nights of hotel
accommodations and one 5-day pass to Tech Ed (ARV: $4,095). Total ARV:
$14,095.
|
|
First Prizes
|
2
|
Two paid trips to Tech Ed (a 5-night trip for the winners to San Diego, CA, May
25-28, including air fare between the major gateway airport closest to the
winner's home, 5 nights of hotel accommodations and two 5-day passes to Tech Ed
(ARV: $4,095 for each trip), and one Xbox gaming console (ARV: $179) with
a 12-month Xbox Live service subscription (ARV: $69). Total ARV: $8,438.
|
One paid trip to Tech Ed (a 5-night trip for the winner to San Diego, CA, May
25-28, including air fare between the major gateway airport closest to the
winner's home, 5 nights of hotel accommodations and one 5-day pass to Tech Ed
(ARV: $4,095), and Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of
Small Business Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $4,000 (any
unused balance becomes void and will not be refunded). Total ARV: $8,095.
|
|
Second Prizes
|
3
|
One 5-day pass to Tech Ed (San Diego, CA, May 25-28) (ARV: $1,500), and
one Xbox gaming console (ARV: $179) with a 12-month Xbox Live service
subscription (ARV: $69) Total ARV: $2,243.
|
One paid 5-day pass for Tech Ed (San Diego, CA, May 25-28 (ARV: $1,995), and
Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business
Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $1,000 (any unused balance
becomes void and will not be refunded). Total ARV: $2,995.
|
|
Third Prizes
|
19
|
One ViewSonic Pocket PC V37 (ARV: $375)
|
Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business
Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $1,000 (any unused balance becomes
void and will not be refunded).
|
|
Round 2
|
Qty. Awarded
|
Customer Prize
|
Partner Prize
|
|
Grand prize
|
1
|
Choice of $5,000 or one Philips 42" Plasma TV (ARV: up to $5,000); plus Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $3,500 (any unused balance becomes void and will not be refunded); one Tablet PC (ARV: $2,300); one ViewSonic M2000 Windows Media Center personal computer with a 17-inch LCD monitor (ARV: $2,198); one IBM ThinkPad X Series Laptop computer (ARV: $1,500); one Xbox gaming console (ARV: $179) with a 12-month Xbox Live service subscription (ARV: $69); two IBM 256MB USB 2.0 Memory Keys (ARV: $129 each). Total ARV: $15,004.
|
Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business
Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $8,000 (any unused balance
becomes void and will not be refunded); two passes to the Microsoft Worldwide
Partner Conference 2004 (Toronto, Canada, July 10–13) (ARV: $995 each). Total
ARV: $9,990.
|
|
First Prizes
|
2
|
One Tablet PC (ARV: $2,300); one ViewSonic M2000 Windows Media Center personal
computer with a 17-inch LCD monitor (ARV: $2,198); one IBM ThinkPad X Series
Laptop computer (ARV: $1,500); one Xbox gaming console (ARV: $179) with a
12-month Xbox Live service subscription (ARV: $69); two IBM 256MB USB
2.0 Memory Keys (ARV: $129 each). Total ARV: $6,504.
|
Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business
Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $4,000 (any unused balance
becomes void and will not be refunded); one pass to the Microsoft Worldwide
Partner Conference 2004 (Toronto, Canada, July 10–13)(ARV: $995). Total ARV:
$4,995.
|
|
Second Prizes
|
3
|
One IBM Thinkpad X Series Laptop computer (ARV: $1,500); one Xbox gaming console
(ARV: $179) with a 12-month Xbox Live service subscription (ARV:
$69); two IBM 256MB USB 2.0 Memory Keys (ARV: $129 each). Total ARV: $2,006.
|
Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business
Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $1,000 (any unused balance
becomes void and will not be refunded), and one pass to the Microsoft Worldwide
Partner Conference 2004 (Toronto, Canada, July 10–13) (ARV: $995). Total
ARV: $1,995.
|
|
Third Prizes
|
19
|
One ViewSonic Pocket PC V37 (ARV: $375)
|
Windows Server 2003 Full-Package Product (winner's choice of Small Business
Server, Standard, or Enterprise), up to ARV $1,000 (any unused balance
becomes void and will not be refunded).
|
All prizes are stated in U.S. dollars.
Any expenses not explicitly listed herein, including any applicable tax on a
prize is the sole responsibility of the winner. No cancellation of reservation
or transfer of reservation to another date after reservation has been made.
Travel subject to availability and must be completed on dates specified by the
sponsor or prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner. Some
restrictions may apply. If a winner cannot accept a prize in its entirety, then
the prize winner will have the following choices: 1.) forfeiting the prize and
having it awarded to an alternate winner; 2.) instructing Microsoft to donate
the prizes to a charity of their choice (charity must have 5031C status in the
U.S. or a similar non-profit status outside the U.S.).
Specific brands/models of Plasma TV and Media Center PC, Tablet PC, ThinkPad
Laptop, Pocket PC, and 256MB USB memory drive will be determined by Sponsor.
Where a choice in prizes is offered, winners must select their prize when they
submit their Release Form. No substitution or transfer of prize permitted,
except that Microsoft reserves the right to award a prize of equal or greater
value if advertised prize is unavailable. Limit one prize per person,
corporation, and e-mail address.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
By accepting a prize, winners must agree to the terms and conditions below and
in the release form:
-
Participate in promotional events which would include, but are not limited to,
having the winning Solution Briefs showcased on stage at Tech Ed and/or other
industry events.
-
Participate in press and/or analyst activities (interviews, panels, etc.) both
during attendance at Tech Ed and following the contest, whether via telephone
or in person.
-
Allow Microsoft to use participant's name, trademarks, or company logos on
presentation slides and other marketing materials.
-
Assist Microsoft in the creation of Solution Briefs or white papers (together
"Studies") detailing participant's use of Windows Server 2003. This
documentation may take various forms, including a videotape and on-line
article. These Studies will not include any participant or customer specific
confidential information. Upon participant's approval of the Studies as to
accuracy, Microsoft is given permission to:
- Display the Studies including trademarks, logos and other identifying
information contained therein, on Microsoft's Internet sites and in printed
form.
By participating in this Contest, contestants agree to abide by the terms of
and to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of the judges,
which shall be final and binding in all respects. By entering the Contest,
contestants release and hold harmless Microsoft, their respective parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents from any
and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or
in connection with this Contest or any prize won. Submission of false or
inaccurate information and/or failure to comply with these official rules will
result in disqualification. This contest is governed by US law.
Prize winners will be notified by e-mail, regular mail, or telephone within 8
weeks of winner selection. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for
Microsoft to use prize winner's proper name, state/country of residence and
submission content for advertising and promotional purposes without additional
compensation unless prohibited by law. Prize winners will be required to sign
an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability/Publicity release and may be
required to complete a W8BEN form. Failure to return the required documentation
within seven (7) days following attempted notification will result in
disqualification and selection of an alternate prize winner. All federal, state
and local laws and regulations apply.
INTERNET:
If for any reason the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running
as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering,
unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes
beyond the control of Microsoft, which corrupt or affect the administration,
security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Microsoft
reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who
tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the
Contest. Microsoft assumes no responsibility for any error, omission,
interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission,
communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or
alteration of, entries. Microsoft is not responsible for any problems or
technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online
systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any
e-mail or entry to be received by Microsoft on account of technical problems or
traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination
thereof, including any injury or damage to participant's or any other person's
computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading any
materials in this Sweepstakes. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A CONTESTANT TO
DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE
CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE
MADE, MICROSOFT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH CONTESTANT TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
WINNERS LIST:
The winners will be listed online at an appropriate place on the
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web site approximately 60 days after the
end of each round of the contest.
SPONSORS:
The Sponsor of this promotion is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way,
Redmond, Washington, 98052.
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