IBM Lotus Connections

IBM Lotus Connections LBvIeFbta9I

= What is Connections ? = IBM Lotus Connections is the first social networking software for business. This software has five parts : Profiles, Communities, Blogs, Dogear (shared bookmarks) and Activities.

According to a recent research paper of Gartner (Gartner, Gartner Predicts 2007, Big changes ahead in high performance workplace, December 5, 2006.), "enterprise social software will be the biggest new workplace success story of the decade. 40% of enterprises will sponsor internal social spaces to help employees find others with similar interest, skills, backgrounds and experiences."

Critics
Mike Rhodin Interview BwkmhixiMzc Moreover Forrester research recently estimated that 14% of companies have disciplined employees and 5% fired them for offenses related to social networking. Many major accounts restricted access to Facebook for example. 2 key questions for the management : "Is it necessary for work and is it a waste of time ?"

Markets
Datamonitor estimed 230 millions people are registred on 1 social network : Asia is dominant in this market (35%), before Europa (28%) North America (25%). This year, actors have generated a 965 M$ cash flow, that could be 2,4 Billions dollars in 2012.

= Global collaboration for individuals = One example of global collaboration for individuals what IBM called “Dogear”. This is a bookmarking system for individuals to share something they found on the internet or intranet. For instance, Huxley wrote "We are all individual molecules of a great social gas." =Notes=