The rules given here are subject to modification until the challenge is distributed on 3 June, 2013.
- The TVC is NOT a competition
The Tool Vendor Challenge is envisioned as a mechanism to allow symposium participants to evaluate each vendor (s) product(s) against a common problem statement.
- TVC 2013 at IS2013
A problem statement and description is given as a challenge to the participating tool vendors. During the symposium, there will be a special TVC track during which the tool vendors will each receive an equal allotted time slot to present the solution they prepared and are demonstrating in the Exhibit Hall. Keep in mind that there is no limit to the time that can be spent at the booth, explaining the solution or the “sales” message of the vendor.
- The Challenge Problem Statement
Participants will be provided with a statement of need for a fictional system in a generic domain. It is expected that the system is a combination of physical products, software and services. In typical fashion, the problem statement may be flawed. The statement will be accompanied by a requirement for a minimum set of artifacts that each vendor must produce, or explain how they satisfy the need for that artifact.
The challenge problem statement will be posted to the IS2013 website and sent directly to the contact person at each vendor on June 3rd
- Question / Answers on the Challenge Problem Statement
Between June 3rd and June 22nd (1600 EST), participants are allowed to forward questions to the TVC chair, as they would do with a client. Questions / Answers will be published on the IS2013 website, and available to all vendors – as well as to any person visiting the website.
- Rules for the TVC2013 presentations
Presentations will take place in a dedicated meeting room, equipped with 2 screens and 2 projectors. Vendors will be permitted to connect their own machines to the projectors. There are no limits to how many team members are involved in solving the challenge. During the presentation ABSOLUTELY no marketing information may be presented, aside from the name of the company/team members and product(s).
All presenters are required to confirm with the TVC chair their physical presence at the symposium before 1600, Monday June 24th. Failure to do this may jeopardize the allotted time slot for the team presentation.
- Allocation of presentation slots
Participants will be able to choose their presentation time slots in the order in which their participation is confirmed. Participant #1 will choose among the total presentation slots. Participant #2 will choose among the remaining slots and so on until all the slots have been assigned. A total of 14 slots over two days will be available, but this does not prevent a company from participating and showing their benchmark solution in the Exhibit Hall. Each slot is allocated 30 minutes for presentation, 10 minutes for Q/A and 5 minutes to transition.
- Solutions to be published at the IS2013 website
Tool vendors have the opportunity to submit their solutions for publication on the IS2013 website at the conclusion of IS2013. The organizers strongly encourage the creation of this archival record of TVC2013.
- TVC 2013 Participation Eligibility
TVC2013 is open to all registered exhibitors who sell a software-based product. There is no selection of the TVC participants by the organizing committee. However, the number of presentation slots is limited, so requests are honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register interest, select the TVC option on the exhibitor contract. Once the contract is confirmed, the vendor will be granted a TVC participant number. A list of participating tool vendors will be published on the IS2013 website to encourage participation, and be part of the permanent archive of TVC2013.
- NEW FEATURE since 2012: Joint participation
As the challenge may require capabilities not available in a single tool in a single vendor, solutions based on the cooperation of multiple vendors using multiple tools are encouraged. Two (or more) tool vendors may form a team and present an integrated solution. Each vendor participating in a team must also be an exhibitor during IS2013. One vendor should be selected as the point of contact for each team. A given vendor may also participate singly, or in conjunction with more than one team.
- Communication about the TVC
All communication regarding TVC2013 shall be between the named contact person for each vendor/team and the TVC Chair by email.
It is up to the named contact person to keep his/her contact email, as known by the TVC Chair, up-to-date, and effective until the end of the symposium. A mobile phone number valid between June 24th and June 27th is also required. If possible it would help if a picture of the TVC team lead is provided to help us identify the person at the conference if we need to speak with them.
- Further Questions
The TVC Chair is Frank Salvatore, fsalvatore@drc.com
