Enterprise Social Software 2009 offers information, insight, and objective analysis of 18 solution providers that can guide corporate buyers in selecting and implementing social software applications. 

The 196 page study includes details on features related to the four Cs of social software: conversation (blogs, microblogs, forums, and discussion groups); connections (user profiles, groups and domains, social networking; collaboration (wikis, work spaces, project and process management, innovation); and content (content sharing, management, development, and search and discover).  The study also covers reporting and analytics. 

Prospective buyers will find selection criteria lists, specific to corporate needs and priorities.  The study discusses the four delivery models and their implications (software as a service is most popular) and the three common implementation models.  The study also covers common implementation challenges, including security and permissions, risks and liabilities, community moderation, participation and adoption, IT infrastructure, user interface customization, integration of existing content, and much more.

The study includes detailed profiles of the 18 solution providers who agreed to participate in our research.  Each vendor participant completed a questionnaire with more than 500 data points spanning product functionality, marketing, finances, support and services, and customer demographics.  Each participant also conducted an extensive demo of the solution for analysts. 

Additionally, the study includes side-by-side comparisons for revenue, customer bases, industry segments served, service offerings, and audience experience.  Bersin & Associates Market Maps ™ offer an at-a-glance comparison for ability to scale, market presence, and product leadership.

Included in This Study:

• Market definition and identifying characteristics
• Market size,  growth, and segments
• Market Segments
• Market evolution and direction.
• Provider differentiators, including target market, ability to scale, relationship to other enterprise software applications, delivery models, feature sets, community expertise, and services offered.
• Selection criteria
• 4 Cs of social software
• Market Maps ®
• Product capability charts
• Solution provider profiles

What You’ll Learn

• What business drivers are causing organizations to seek enterprise social software?  Who in these organizations is responsible for these purchases so far?
• What technologies, features, and functions are enterprise social software providers likely to offer?
• What use cases can enterprise social software be leveraged to support?
• Who are the providers of enterprise social software?  Where do they come from?
• By what criteria should a buyer best compare providers?
• How can a buyer best select a provider that will meet the organization’s holistic needs?
• Who are the early market leaders?
• What are the product capabilities for the top providers?
• Where is the enterprise social software market going in the future?