SSPA STAR Awards

Click here to learn more about the STAR Awards from our Executive Director, Stephen Smith.

Does your company have what it takes to be a “STAR” in the world of service and support? The SSPA’s prestigious STAR Awards recognize technology companies who display exceptional leadership, innovation and commitment in both Service Excellence and in developing and implementing Best Practices.

Since its inception in 1990, the STAR Awards have become one of the highest honors in the service and support industry, acknowledging the contribution of companies of all sizes to the continual improvement of service and support delivery industry-wide. Winning a STAR Award means that you and your support center have been acknowledged by your peers as being among the best in the business.

There are two major categories of STAR awards: Service Excellence and Best Practices. For each category, there are several awards acknowledging excellence in different aspects of service and support delivery.

How Do I Apply?

You must be a member of the SSPA to apply for a STAR Award.

First nominate your support center in one or more categories by completing the downloadable Nomination Form (.doc). Nomination forms were due June 30, 2009. Once the Nomination has been accepted and the fee paid, a PowerPoint Application Form for the category(s) of your choice will be sent to you. All completed PowerPoint applications must be returned no later than the July 24, 2009.

STAR Awards for Service Excellence (Presented in the Fall):

• Service Excellence in Outstanding Improvement
• Service Excellence in Partner Management
• Service Excellence in Mission Critical Support – Hardware
• Service Excellence in Mission Critical Support – Software
• Service Excellence in Consumer Support
• Service Excellence in Innovative Support
• Service Excellence in Continual Improvement
• Service Excellence in Complex Application Support
• Service Excellence in Integrated Services
• Service Excellence in Emerging Business Support

 STAR Awards for Best Practices (Presented in the Spring):

• Best Online Community - NEW!
• Best Customer Commitment
• Best Knowledge Management Practices
• Best Online Support
• Best Service Delivery Optimization
• Best Support Staff Practices
• Best Practices in Value-Added Support^TM
• Best Embedded Product Support
• Best Emerging Company Support
• Best Use of Metrics and Business Intelligence

If you think your support center delivers exceptional customer service – and you have the data to back it up – you should apply for a 2009 STAR Award.

Winners of the 2009 Best Practices Star Awards were announced at the SSPA Spring Conference, May 4-6, 2009 in Santa Clara, CA.  Winners of the 2009 Service Excellence Star Awards will be announced at the TSW Conference, October 19 – 21, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV.

If you have any questions, please contact us at StarAwards@thesspa.com or
858-674-5491.