Designed specifically with developers in mind, the Openness Ideas competition allows entrants who have created or want to create a mobile application using the Azure backend. This app does not need to be Microsoft-specific, and can be designed for any number of ecosystems, including Windows Phone, iOS, Android, or BlackBerry devices.

App exposure

To enter, a developer has to add a short description of the submitted mobile application in English (a minimum of 250 words), as well as add images of the application and a link to the app’s Windows Phone Store, Google Play Market, Apple App Store or Blackberry World page. Apps must be submitted through Facebook, and participants can enter their applications any time from now till the 26th of May 2015. Throughout this period, the Openness Ideas Community will vote for the apps that have been entered, with the top app with most votes declared the winner. As such, the sooner your app is entered into the competition, the more time the community will have to vote for it.

Entrants can encourage users on the Openness Ideas Community to vote for their app by sharing it via Facebook and Twitter. Each App gathers points, which are the sum of submitted votes that have been added under the entry (1 vote = 1 point).

The overall winner receives a digital marketing campaign for their app with a campaign to the value of R50 000 being executed by Microsoft in the Windows Phone category, and a campaign amounting to R50 000 being executed by iProspect in the iOS, Android or Blackberry category. It is not possible for entrants to win in both categories.

Here's the process step by step for additional insight:

• To submit your entry, register your App in the Contest through the Contest website: http://ideas.opennessatmicrosoft.com/za.

• Your entry should include documentation describing the App, which contains: Minimum 250 words description of the App in English, add images of the application and a link to the app’s Windows Phone Store, Google Play Market, Apple App Store or Blackberry World page. Apps are submitted through Facebook.

• Competition runs from 6 April 2015 – 26 May 2015, during which time Openness Ideas Community can vote for the apps that have been entered.

• Entrants can encourage the Openness Ideas Community to vote for their app by sharing it through Facebook or Twitter.

• Each app gathers points which are the sum of submitted votes: 1vote = 1 point

• Digital marketing campaign for your app with a campaign value of R50 000 in the Windows Phone category.

• A campaign amounting to R50 000 being executed by iProspect in the iOS, Android or Blackberry category.