Social Media Social software - it doesn't have to cost the earth
Welcome to Melcrum's Social Media Newsletter.
Recent research suggests that the Enterprise 2.0 market, that is, social software for business, could be worth around US$2-4 billion by 2013. While not a huge amount on a global scale, the report suggests that internal use of blogs, wikis and other communication and collaboration enhancing tools will only see widespread use in the shape of costly upgrades to already costly corporate IT systems.
Writing in response to the news, independent consultant Euan Semple said those who spent fortunes on social software were missing the point:
"I find myself telling people more and more that if they're spending money on this stuff, they're almost certainly doing the wrong things, and I worry that the same machine that has fleeced people for over-priced and under-delivered systems is lining up to take over something that should, in essence, be simple and cost effective."
Keep a grip on your billions
In this newsletter in October 2007 (see the full newsletter archive here), we looked at social software applications that can be used in the enterprise, and don't cost the earth:
Confluence
An enterprise-standard wiki platform that can interoperate with Microsoft Sharepoint. Pharmaceuticals firm Janssen Cilag have replaced their entire intranet with a Confluence system, allowing employees to upload articles, news, announcements and more, and take full ownership of their intranet content.
Apache Roller
A free, open source, scaleable blogging platform used by Sun Microsystems, who have over 4,000 corporate bloggers.
Wordpress
Another free, open source blogging platform that has a full enterprise version in the shape of KnowKnow Wordpress Enterprise Edition. Communications and network services firm BT have integrated Wordpress, Confluence and Mediwiki (another free wiki application) into their intranet.
Movable Type Enterprise
A low-cost blogging platform used by the likes of corporate blogging pioneers GM, among many others.
For most situations, there's a low-cost software alternative, and if convention wisdom is to be believed, you're probably better off starting cheap and seeing what happens.
It's about people
Remember, social software is not about expensive technology. Spending a fortune without understanding the way employees chat and converse with one another and go about their days seeking and sharing information, knowledge and expertise, will inevitably leave you with little return on investment.
Try the low-cost options first (and check the Social Media Newsletter archive for more suggestions) You might be surprised at what you can achieve.
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