For those unfamiliar with this exciting competition, the concept is simple! Microsoft are offering IT Professionals the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and creativity by transforming the technical infrastructure of a charity of their choice or tackle one of the problems put forward by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), Leonard Cheshire Disability, Global Action Plan or Fauna and Flora International (FFI).

Working to a budget of £15,000, entrants are invited to submit a system design and 400 word summary that outlines how the innovative use of technology can transform the way a charity meets its causes. Entries should only include details of the software and hardware requirements as installation and technical guidance will be provided by Microsoft.  All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of expert judges and those that show the most creative use of technology will be put forward to a shortlist of 10. These will then be put to a public vote to find the overall winner. 

The winning entry will be passed to a team of Microsoft technical specialists who will work with the winner to implement the system. The four runners-up will each receive £1,000 worth of Microsoft software for the charity named on their winning entry. Plus, all five finalists will win a free ticket to TechEd:IT Forum 2008 in Barcelona. Plus those shortlisted will have their system designs turned into a piece of art and exhibited in a top London art gallery.

The competition opened on the 17th of December 2007 and will close on the 21st March 2008. To enter, please click here, or to send your feedback about the competition, please email DesignIT@microsoft.com.