by Bright Ewuru | Feb 3, 2025 | Articles
Awards management software is necessary for the optimal running of awards programs. But with a variety of platforms available today, it can be confusing, and perhaps even overwhelming, to decide on the best solution for your awards program.
Awards managers need modern awards software to help streamline all of the awards management tasks. And, to do this well, certain features should be present.
Let’s explore six essential features of modern awards software.
In 2020, a popular awards management platform suffered a ransomware attack due to the company’s failure to follow some basic principles of data security. The outcome was the theft of millions of consumers’ highly sensitive data and huge financial losses in legal fees, penalties and ransom.
An essential feature to look for in awards management software is robust security. Security is key to awards program success because awards management involves confidential data such as names, addresses, phone numbers, bank details, and Social Security or other ID numbers, to name a few. A security breach could lead to the theft and exposure of such data.
Robust security features you should check for include:
Having met all security requirements, Award Force has earned the Cyber Essentials security certification—a sign of our unwavering commitment to protecting customer data.
Looking to provide a more inclusive and open experience for your entrants? and offer equal opportunities to all entrants. Consider looking at accessibility and ease of use in the software.
Accessibility ensures that your awards program accommodates all entrants, allowing them to submit their applications regardless of any disabilities.
The right awards management software should comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The platform should be screen-reader friendly, offer keyboard navigation and support flexible colour options. It should also support video captions, transcripts, easily readable fonts and text descriptions for non-text content.
The software should offer a user-friendly interface including mobile-friendliness and a well-designed, all while maintaining flexible branding features to match your brand.
Modern awards management software should have dynamic and transparent judging tools. Such evaluation tools can eliminate bias by ensuring that judges assess submissions with objective and standardised criteria. Transparency and consistency can establish integrity in your awards program and provide value to your judges.
In Award Force, programs can choose from four different judging methods: Qualifying, Top Pick, Public Voting and VIP judging modes, which you can use on their own, or in conjunction with each other in one or more judging rounds. Rubrics should also be present in awards management software; they’re ideal for holistic assessments.
Efficiency is key to successful awards programs as processes need to be carried out quickly and with minimal errors. The awards management software should collaborate seamlessly with other tools to enhance productivity.
Automation and integration are key features of modern awards management software.
With automation, for example, you can handle repetitive tasks such as communication more quickly, whether they are notifications, bulk emails or personal messages. Automation can drive the nomination process, assign entries to judges and create and distribute award certificates.
Integration can facilitate connection with an array of everyday applications like CRM tools, marketing platforms, accounting tools and your awards website. This can help you manage your contacts and sync awards data.
Data is central to awards management; check for any analytics capabilities in your awards management software.
Analytics provide details of your awards program performance such as entry growth and results. They identify patterns which can help you improve future awards program cycles. Analytics can also give you the inside scoop on participant demographics and judging rounds.
You should be able to easily report on and export your awards data. Award Force, for example, offers a birds-eye dashboard to give you a full view of your entire program. You can use keyword search or field filters to find the data you need instantly.
Awards programs vary in structure, criteria and requirements, so awards management software should offer you flexible configurations to support the unique needs of your program. A customisable workflow functionality should be present to support different submission formats and judging methods.
With customisable workflows, you can easily modify processes as the program grows. The feature helps you run hierarchy-based awards programs or programs with different stages or categories.
Look for the above features when shopping for modern awards management software. They ensure that the platform can help you run your awards programs efficiently and successfully.
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