Force.com Forty Innovation Showcase - FAQ

1. Do I need to be a partner to nominate an app?

Yes, this showcase is exclusively for applications built by our global partner community. If you aren't a current salesforce.com partner but would like to nominate your application, please join one of our partner programs.

2. When should I nominate my app?

To maximize your chances of being selected, please nominate your application as early as possible once it is close to completion (e.g. beta-ready) or in production. While prototypes and proof-of-concepts are welcome, top nominees will likely have some level of customer usage or adoption, and will have a professional finish. 

3. If I nominate my app but don’t get selected for a particular round, do I need to re-nominate my app?

No, once you've nominated your application, your entry will be eligible for consideration in all subsequent rounds. 

4. Can I nominate more than one app?

Yes, you can nominate as many distinct applications as you you’d like.

5. How will nominations be evaluated?

Semi-finalist and showcase apps will be evaluated based on:

• Innovative use of Force.com technologies, including but not limited to Apex code, Visualforce, and Sites.
• The ability to solve a real business challenge and address a need in the marketplace
• Strong visual design and execution
• Level of customer adoption

6. Are there specific categories of apps that the panel will look for?

No, the panel will evaluate nominations and semi-finalists based on innovation and technical execution. So the sky's the limit as to what can be a killer app! This said, nominees should focus on building apps that show off their domain expertise, which could be a particular application category, functional area, vertical industry, or niche.

7. What Force.com technologies should I use to make my app stand out?

Top applications will utilize a variety of advanced Force.com technologies, including Apex code, Visualforce, and Sites. Nominees are also encouraged to integrate their Force.com apps with other technologies from Amazon Web Services, Google, Adobe and Facebook using pre-built toolkits available on developer.force.com.  

8. If my app is selected as a semi-finalist, should I plan to attend the Demo Day?

Yes, Demo Days give semi-finalists an in-person opportunity to present their apps to the expert panel. It’s a rare and valuable networking opportunity to meet the expert panel, salesforce.com teams, and other semi-finalists as well.

9. Suppose I can't attend the Demo Day in person?

To be competitive, semi-finalists are highly encouraged to attend Demo Days in person. However, we will make accommodations on a case-by-case basis to allow presentation of applications via Web meeting or teleconference.