Nominations Open for 2026 ISG Paragon Awards™ and ISG Software Innovation Awards™

Key Terms

ai technical

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to mimic human thinking and learning, allowing them to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions. For investors, AI matters because it can improve how businesses operate, create new products, or identify opportunities faster and more accurately than humans alone, potentially impacting company success and market trends.

generative ai technical

Generative AI is a type of computer technology that can create new content, like text, images, or music, on its own. It’s important because it can produce realistic and useful material quickly, which could change how we create art, write stories, or even develop new products. Think of it as a smart robot that can invent and produce things almost like a human.

machine learning technical

Machine learning is a set of computer programs that learn patterns from large amounts of data and improve their predictions or decisions over time, like a recipe that gets better each time it’s adjusted based on taste tests. For investors it matters because these systems can speed up analysis, spot trends or risks humans might miss, automate routine work, and potentially create competitive advantages or cost savings that affect a company’s performance.

devops technical

DevOps is a way of working that combines software development and IT operations to improve how technology systems are built, tested, and maintained. It emphasizes collaboration, automation, and continuous improvement to deliver updates quickly and reliably. For investors, understanding DevOps can signal a company’s ability to innovate faster and respond more effectively to market changes.

iot technical

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of everyday devices—such as appliances, vehicles, and equipment—that are connected to the internet and can share data automatically. For investors, IoT represents a growing trend that can drive efficiency and innovation across many industries, potentially creating new opportunities for growth and value. Its expansion influences how companies operate and compete in a digitally connected world.

cybersecurity technical

Cybersecurity involves protecting computers, networks, and digital information from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining trust in digital systems, which matters to investors because strong cybersecurity reduces the risk of costly breaches and disruptions that can impact a company’s performance and reputation. Think of it as locking and safeguarding valuable information much like securing a safe to prevent theft.

intelligent automation technical

Intelligent automation is the use of software 'robots' combined with artificial intelligence to take over not just repetitive tasks but also decisions that previously needed human judgment, like a smart assistant that follows a recipe and tweaks it when ingredients change. For investors, it matters because it can lower costs, speed up operations, reduce mistakes, and enable faster scaling—factors that can improve profit margins, cash flow and a company’s competitive position, while also requiring upfront investment and oversight.

Programs recognize sourcing partnerships and software providers driving business and IT transformation

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm, today announced that nominations are open for the 2026 ISG Paragon Awards™ and the 2026 ISG Software Innovation Awards™, which celebrate innovative technology and business services partnerships and software providers driving business and IT transformation.

Both awards programs are now accepting nominations for North America and EMEA. The ISG Paragon Awards program is also accepting nominations for Latin America.

Enterprise buyers of IT and business services, technology and service providers and software providers across business and IT sectors, including independent software vendors and consulting firms with proprietary software offerings, may submit nominations by the following deadlines:

• ISG Paragon Awards and ISG Software Innovation Awards North America: June 24, 2026
• ISG Paragon Awards Latin America: July 31, 2026
• ISG Paragon Awards and ISG Software Innovation Awards EMEA: August 5, 2026

The ISG Paragon Awards is a global program recognizing outstanding collaborations between enterprises and providers in all regions. The program expanded to cover Asia in 2025, and will award winners for Australia and New Zealand in May 2026. ISG Paragon Awards are given in the following categories:

• AI Pacesetter: Recognizing substantial business impact through the adoption of AI;
• Excellence: Recognizing outstanding delivery by a technology or service provider;
• Innovation: Recognizing the importance of imagination and entrepreneurial spirit in helping organizations future-proof their businesses and better serve clients;
• Partnership of the Year: Celebrating partnerships that demonstrate exceptional collaboration and mutual success, contributing to outstanding customer outcomes;
• Sustainability: Recognizing exceptional implementations of digital sustainability strategies and initiatives that have delivered measurable environmental and/or social outcomes, and
• Transformation: Recognizing the successful transformation of an organization or key business function.

The ISG Software Innovation Awards recognize software innovations that enhance business application capabilities and deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity and organizational performance. ISG Software Innovation Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Artificial Intelligence Award: The software provider that best exemplifies innovation in technologies supporting analytics, data intelligence, data platforms, generative AI, governance, machine learning and AI, operations and streaming and events;
• Business Applications Award: The software provider that best exemplifies innovation in technologies supporting customers and CX, digital business and workplace, employees and HCM, office of finance and accounting, office of revenue and supply chain and operations;
• Industries Award: The software provider that best exemplifies innovation in technologies supporting automotive, CPG & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, public sector, media & telecom or travel & hospitality;
• Information Technology Award: The software provider that best exemplifies innovation in technologies supporting ADM & DevOps, cloud & infrastructure, compute, edge, network & IoT, cybersecurity, intelligent automation, IT management & operations, observability and platforms, and
• Overall Software Innovation: The digital innovation that most successfully maximizes the value of people, processes, information and technology.

The ISG Paragon Award and ISG Software Innovation Award winners for North America will be announced at the ISG Sourcing Industry Awards gala on Thursday, September 24. Winners for EMEA will be announced at the ISG Sourcing Industry Awards gala on November 17. The ISG Paragon Awards winners for Latin America will be announced on October 22.

“AI is changing how enterprise transformation programs are delivered, but it does not eliminate the need for partners capable of orchestrating complex change across legacy environments,” said John Boccuzzi, Jr., partner and president, ISG Research. “Our award programs recognize the partnerships and providers whose innovation and agility is helping enterprise clients achieve technology modernization, productivity improvement and cost savings.”

The ISG Sourcing Industry Awards also recognize winners of the ISG Provider Lens^® Awards, honoring outstanding performances by providers featured in ISG Provider Lens studies, and the ISG Star of Excellence™ awards, which recognize excellence in provider delivery based on enterprise client feedback.

Full details of the award categories and nomination guidelines are available on the ISG Sourcing Industry Awards website.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data and research, in-depth knowledge and governance of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,500 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326940581/en/

Press Contacts:

Laura Hupprich, ISG

+1 203-517-3100

laura.hupprich@isg-one.com

Eric Arvidson, Matter Communications for ISG

+1 978-518-4542

isg@matternow.com

Source: Information Services Group, Inc.