Web 2.0 to change business?

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Consumer- and user-focused technology is affecting the way business IT operates, according to a new report by the Butler Group.

The focus on Web 2.0 – which usually contains such innovations as blogs, social media and podcasts – is leading to increasingly quick, flexible and innovative technology, even in more staid environments like enterprise IT.

While much of these online innovations are consumer focused, they are leading to changes in how businesses operate. “The ideas, concepts, tools, and technologies behind consumer-oriented social networking software are being re-shaped and re-modelled for enterprise use,” said Mike Thompson, director of Butler Group’s business process management practice.

Indeed, the focus on user experience is leading to an increase in service oriented architecture (SOA) and virtualisation, as well as mobile working and communications, the report said.

“The social aspects of Web 2.0 are mirrored in the corporate world of Enterprise Web 2.0. Workforce mobility and changing communication patterns are two more trends that are driving change at the infrastructure layer,” said Mark Blowers, director of Butler’s enterprise architectures practice. “As such, unified communication and collaboration requirements are an important part of Enterprise 2.0 strategies.”

And businesses had better keep this in mind when planning their IT, warned Richard Edwards, information management practice director at Butler Group and co-author of the report.

“The driving force behind every aspect of Enterprise Web 2.0 is the experience of the end user, whether that be employee, customer, partner or stakeholder,” he said. This means that all organisations must reassess their IT strategies in view of this clear and distinct shift in direction.”

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