This article unpacks the latest developments, numbers, and implications for buyers and Service Providers. It also explores how the new AI Pacesetter category advances practical Innovation and Transformation at scale. Understanding the award process can guide sourcing leaders when assessing partners or submitting future nominations. Additionally, gaining visibility through such recognition can accelerate market traction for technology firms. Meanwhile, enterprises gain assurance that winning projects deliver measurable outcomes rather than superficial pilots. Therefore, the Paragon program deserves closer examination.

Paragon Program Rapid Evolution

ISG launched the Paragon initiative in 2014 to recognize standout sourcing partnerships. However, the last two years brought accelerated change. ISG added the AI Pacesetter category in 2024 and extended ceremonies to Asia in 2025.

Consequently, nominations now open across five continents, with winners celebrated at regional gala dinners. European events continue alongside North America, ANZ, and the forthcoming Singapore ceremony. Furthermore, ISG reported serving about 900 clients, underlining institutional reach.

This expanded footprint elevates the Paragon Tech Awards profile among multinational Service Providers and enterprises. Therefore, observers expect rising submission volumes and stronger competition.

Program expansion signals resilience and growing relevance. Nevertheless, scale introduces new evaluation challenges, explored later. Now, we examine the newest award category.

AI Pacesetter Category Impact

The AI Pacesetter honor rewards partnerships delivering measurable business gains through production AI. Infosys with Alcon won Excellence, yet HTC Global Services and ACE Hardware secured the coveted AI Pacesetter trophy.

ISG highlighted substantial operational savings from applied machine learning within ACE Hardware's supply chain. Moreover, finalists alleged gains in customer retention and cycle-time compression.

These outcomes support a key premise. Tech Awards recognition alone never drives Innovation; evidence-based criteria encourage disciplined delivery and Transformation.

Additionally, the category creates peer pressure for Service Providers still piloting AI to mature quickly. In contrast, enterprises gain reference points when justifying production budgets.

AI Pacesetter thus raises execution standards across the field. Subsequently, geographical reach amplifies those standards. Let's review regional momentum, starting with EMEA.

Regional Expansion Highlights EMEA

ISG announced 45 ANZ nominations and more than 70 for 2024 North America. Meanwhile, 2025 Asia finalists debuted on October 22 ahead of the Singapore gala.

EMEA maintains strong participation through long-running UK and DACH events, although 2025 data remains pending. Nevertheless, ISG contacts expect double-digit growth following heightened publicity.

Michael Gale, ISG Asia Pacific partner, noted rising cloud investment to run AI at scale. His statement reinforces cross-regional Transformation tailwinds.

Furthermore, the independent judge model stays consistent across geographies, safeguarding comparability. This structure supports global Tech Awards credibility while honoring local Innovation nuances.

Regional diversity encourages contextually relevant solutions. Consequently, winners inspire peers facing similar market constraints. Next, we quantify submission trends.

Statistical Snapshot And Trends

Numbers illuminate momentum better than anecdotes. ANZ recorded 45 submissions, while 2024 North America exceeded 70.

• ANZ: 45 nominations across six categories, including AI Pacesetter.
• North America 2024: 70+ applications, reflecting 15% year-over-year rise.
• ISG clients served: roughly 900 global enterprises.
• ISG workforce: approximately 1,600 professionals worldwide.

Moreover, the new Asia program could push totals above 300 across all regions next cycle. These amounts demonstrate healthy demand among Service Providers and enterprise clients seeking recognition.

Therefore, the Paragon Tech Awards appear poised for another record season in EMEA and beyond. Volume metrics validate award relevance. However, qualitative insights matter equally. We now explore winning themes and lessons.

Key Winners And Lessons

Infosys and Alcon took the Excellence crown for surgical supply chain optimization. HTC Global Services impressed judges with ACE Hardware’s predictive inventory analytics.

Virtusa secured the Transformation prize alongside Huntington Bank for digital lending acceleration. Argano and Team Horner earned Innovation recognition for a composable ERP rollout.

Meanwhile, HCLTech and PepsiCo grabbed Partnership of the Year for collaborative marketing platforms. Each case underlines core factors behind Tech Awards victories: measurable ROI, joint governance, and repeatable architectures.

Additionally, transparent metric submission helped winners stand out during independent judging. These insights guide future applicants. Consequently, strategic alignment becomes non-negotiable. Yet, benefits come with caveats, as discussed next.

Benefits And Critical Perspectives

Award visibility drives credibility among procurement leaders and press outlets. Moreover, winners gain faster access to C-suite decision makers.

ISG events provide networking forums where Service Providers showcase Innovation roadmaps beside client testimonials. Nevertheless, critics caution that most coverage relies on press releases rather than independent investigations.

Therefore, journalists should request audited KPIs before citing sensational figures. In contrast, ISG states that an external judge validates submissions. Transparency could improve further if winning case studies were published in depth.

Despite limitations, the Paragon Tech Awards still offer a structured lens for evaluating Transformation progress across EMEA sectors. Balanced scrutiny preserves award integrity. Subsequently, continuous skills growth ensures sustained impact. Our final section outlines professional development paths.

Skills Development And Next Steps

Project partners often task rising managers with drafting nomination dossiers. Consequently, knowledge of evaluation criteria becomes a career differentiator.

Professionals can enhance their expertise with the AI+ UX Designer™ certification.

Additionally, ISG offers webinars that explain successful Tech Awards submissions and judging expectations. Providers deploying AI should gather baseline metrics early, maintain audit trails, and secure client testimonials.

Meanwhile, enterprise buyers use past winners as procurement references when planning change programs. Career advancement aligns with disciplined measurement. Therefore, preparing now improves nomination success next season.

ISG's Paragon program continues to mature, rewarding AI projects that deliver measurable outcomes. Consequently, regional expansion and robust participation numbers show rising confidence in collaborative sourcing. However, stakeholders must demand transparent KPIs to maintain credibility and inspire further adoption. Professionals who refine measurement skills and pursue targeted certifications position themselves for recognition and growth. Therefore, now is the moment to benchmark projects against the Paragon criteria and prepare compelling submissions. Explore the linked certification and stay alert for upcoming nomination windows.