I have been reading some articles or blogs about 2008 Predictions. "While beloved Yankee guru Yogi Berra famously warned that it is dangerous to make predictions, especially about the future, people keep doing it". Among those predictions, one of the hot topics mentioned is Enterprise Web 2.0.
Pedicted by Oracle chief architect Ted Farrell, enterprise Web 2.0 was expected to be big in 2008 even it didn't take off as anticipated last year.
And, based on the 12 predictions for Enterprise Web 2.0 in 2008, we see SOA, Web 2.0 and SaaS (Software as a Service) are three main themes of next generation enterprises.
After announcing their WorkBook, a secured FaceBook for the enterprise, WorkLight offers predictions for Web 2.0 in the enterprise in 2008, saying that usage of Web 2.0 technologies in the enterprise will affect companies across three dimensions - People, Business and Technology.
- People seek to mirror their home computing experience at the office, build social networks in the corporate environment...
- Businesses seek to increase employee acquisition/retention and productivity through the use of Enterprise 2.0 solutions...
- IT departments have to seek security solutions out of Enterprise 2.0 solutions.
"But one of the problems with Web 2.0 is it lacks a clear definition making it hard for us to see where it has a value to knowledge works." Mentioned by Farrell. He said Oracle is now making an effort to explain the potential value of the Web 2.0 collaboration technologies.
Back to what I have been working on, setting up m35 blog platform and keep updating blog entries, seems like a case study of this trend. From my point of view, I do believe there is a lot of knowledge held within the company as everyone is an “expert” on something. And making this expertise easily available to everyone else would certainly bring benefits.
Of course, I should not get my hopes up too much - people don't post to the blogs as much as you'd expect. I have been warned. However, for the people who do post to and read the blogs, it brings benefit.
More Information:
Web 2.0 Definition in Wiki
Enterprise 2.0 / Enterprise Social Software
A Web 2.0 Tour for the Enterprise.