In late 2008, the editorial staff at SearchServerVirtualization.com invited vendors and users to nominate their choices for the best virtualization products of 2008. To be eligible for consideration, products had to have been introduced or upgraded between October 31, 2007 and November 1, 2008. The categories included:

• Virtualization platforms
• Systems and performance management
• Virtual desktop infrastructure
• Data protection
• Lab management workflow automation

SearchServerVirtualization.com's independent experts judged the entries based on the following criteria:

• Ease of integration
• Functionality
• Innovation
• Manageability
• Performance
• Value

Judges based their decisions on the information provided in forms submitted by those nominating respective products; and on their own independent research.