Who should enter the ‘Cloud Data and Analytics Solution of the Year’ category?

The ‘Cloud Data and Analytics Solution of the Year’ category recognizes organizations and technology providers that are harnessing the power of cloud-native architectures to turn raw data into actionable business intelligence. This award celebrates innovative platforms that enable companies to store, manage, and analyze massive datasets with unprecedented speed, scale, and cost-efficiency.

Entries may showcase how the solution utilizes modern data stack components – such as cloud data warehouses, data lakes, or lakehouses – to break down data silos and democratize access to information across the enterprise.

The category also explores advancements in data engineering and data governance, where technology ensures that data is not only accessible but also clean, compliant, and secure.

In addition, submissions should highlight innovations in advanced analytics and business intelligence (BI), demonstrating how the solution incorporates Machine Learning (ML) for predictive modeling, automated anomaly detection, or real-time data streaming.

Judges will look for evidence of how these tools move beyond descriptive reporting (“what happened”) into prescriptive insights (“what we should do”), including intuitive visualization tools make complex data understandable for non-technical users.

business colleagues collaborating on project planning using a laptop with advanced digital dashboard interface

Example Use Cases

Cloud data and analytics solutions eligible for this award may either provide an outstanding broad solution, or exceptional specialized solutions in one of these areas (among others):

woman with data dashboard graphs Breaking down data silos to create a single source of truth across the organization. Cloud data platforms centralize structured and unstructured data from multiple systems, enabling real-time reporting, advanced analytics, and organization-wide visibility.

Typical use cases:

  • Real-time data ingestion and processing
  • Cross-system data integration and harmonization
  • Self-service analytics and interactive dashboards
  • API-driven data sharing across business units

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Faster, evidence-based decision-making
  • Improved data accessibility across teams
  • Reduced reliance on manual reporting processes
  • Greater consistency and trust in business data

Business professionals collaborating on market analysis Turning historical and real-time data into forward-looking intelligence. Cloud analytics platforms use machine learning and advanced modelling to identify trends, forecast outcomes, and optimize performance.

Typical use cases:

  • Predictive demand forecasting
  • Customer behavior modelling
  • Risk and anomaly detection
  • Operational performance optimization models
  • Scenario simulation and business modelling

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Improved forecasting accuracy and planning confidence
  • Early identification of emerging risks or opportunities
  • Increased operational efficiency
  • Measurable performance improvements driven by predictive insight

Focused Financial Analyst Studying Market Trends Ensuring secure, compliant, and well-managed data environments in the cloud. Cloud analytics solutions incorporate governance frameworks, access controls, and monitoring tools to maintain data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Typical use cases:

  • Role-based access control and data permissions
  • Data lineage tracking and audit trails
  • Automated compliance reporting
  • Encryption and secure data storage
  • Master data management and quality controls

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Reduced data security risks and compliance exposure
  • Improved audit readiness and reporting accuracy
  • Higher confidence in data quality and consistency
  • Stronger organizational data governance standards

Coworkers Using Laptop in data center Providing continuous visibility into operational performance through real-time dashboards and automated alerts. Cloud analytics platforms connect data streams across systems to monitor KPIs and support rapid response.

Typical use cases:

  • Real-time operational dashboards
  • Automated performance alerts and threshold monitoring
  • KPI tracking across departments
  • Resource utilization and capacity analytics
  • Cross-functional performance benchmarking

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Faster response to operational issues
  • Improved productivity and resource allocation
  • Greater transparency across business functions
  • Stronger alignment between operational execution and strategy

Woman Trades Stocks Online Empowering non-technical users to explore and analyze data independently. Cloud analytics platforms provide intuitive interfaces, visualization tools, and governed access to enable broader data-driven culture.

Typical use cases:

  • Drag-and-drop dashboard builders
  • Natural language query interfaces
  • Embedded analytics within business applications
  • Automated report scheduling and distribution
  • Collaborative data sharing environments

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Increased adoption of analytics across departments
  • Reduced reliance on specialist data teams
  • Faster insight generation at all levels of the organization
  • Improved data literacy and decision-making confidence

Hall of Fame: Previous Winners

Denodo Logo

Denodo stood out for enabling organizations to govern and activate data across complex cloud environments with speed and control. Its approach supports real time access and consistent semantics across distributed sources, which is essential for analytics and AI at scale. The judges were impressed by the platform’s maturity and enterprise relevance. This made Denodo a clear winner at The Cloud Awards.”

The Cloud Awards COO, Annabelle Whittall

Most Innovative Use of Data in the Cloud 2025/26, Denodo
Birdeye Logo

Birdeye impressed the judges by turning complex, unstructured customer data into clear, actionable business intelligence at scale. Its use of AI to deliver industry-specific insights moves analytics beyond reporting and into real decision-making. The platform demonstrates how cloud analytics can directly influence performance, reputation, and growth across large, distributed organizations. This made Birdeye a standout winner at The Cloud Awards.”

The Cloud Awards COO, Annabelle Whittall

Best Cloud Business Intelligence or Analytics Solution 2025/26, Birdeye
Denodo Logo

Denodo stood out for delivering a true cloud data management platform that enables enterprises to access, govern, and activate data across complex multi-cloud environments. Its semantic layer and real-time data virtualization approach remove the friction traditionally associated with data integration and replication. The judges were particularly impressed by Denodo’s ability to support analytics and AI use cases while maintaining performance, security, and control at scale. This made Denodo a clear winner at The Cloud Awards.”

The Cloud Awards COO, Annabelle Whittall

Best Cloud Data Management Solution 2025/26, Denodo

Areas to Highlight in Your Submission

Judges score nominations across these five key areas:

  • Innovation: The features or technology that makes your data or analytics solution unique - or transformed your market.

  • Impact: Evidence of the positive effect your data or analytics solution has brought to your customers.

  • Scalability: How your solution grows or adapts to changing business needs, without significant upgrades or overhauls.

  • User Experience: How intuitive your data or analytics solution is to use for users of varying roles or skill levels.

  • Relevance: What makes your solution a worthy winner in this particular category.

Although not formally scored, focus on these areas specific to this category, can help your nomination stand out:

Data Integration

Integration with a wide range of data sources, such as traditional databases, cloud applications, big data platforms, and real-time data streams.

Analytics

Availability of features such as predictive modeling, machine learning, natural language processing, and real-time data processing.

Customization

The options available to users to customize the solution to meet their individual user needs, or that of their industry or sector.

More Cloud Awards Categories

Next Steps to Enter The Cloud Awards

To enter this Cloud Awards category, or any other category in The Cloud Awards, please follow these three simple steps:

  • Download the entry form. Open up the ‘Cloud Awards Simple Form’ document.
  • Complete your form. You only need to complete the form once, even if entering multiple Cloud Awards categories.
  • Submit your entry. Head to the ‘Submit Now’ section on our website, select ‘The Cloud Awards’ and the category/categories you are entering from the list, upload your form and any other materials you would like the judges to review, and process your fees.

Since 2011, The Cloud Awards been helping organizations across the globe gain the recognition they deserve for market-leading innovation in the cloud computing and software sectors.

For a detailed breakdown of all the benefits you receive as an awards entrant as either a shortlistee, finalist or ultimate winner, please see our “Why Enter?” page. The many benefits are replicated across all international awards programs. If you have any questions about this category, please contact us.