Impact Of Web 2.0 On

IMPACT OF WEB 2.0 ON

BUSINESS COLLABORATION

August 10, 2006

MEMO

TO: Mr. X

FROM: Students

DATE: July 6, 2006

SUBJECT: Impact of Web 2.0 on Business Collaboration

As you requested here is the report regarding the impact and implementation of Web 2.0 and its components Wilis, Blogs and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) on business collaboration.

The report will provide definitions of new terms and analyze the advantages and current usages of Web 2.0. It will also provide statistical data regarding the increase in Blog usage in businesses.

We appreciate your confidence in selecting us to prepare this comprehensive report and hope you will find the results of this study useful in evaluating the implementation of Web 2.0.

We would be pleased to discuss this report, its conclusions and recommendations with you in more detail at your request.

You may contact any of us to arrange a meeting at your convenience.

CONTENTS

PAGE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iv

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 1-2

Background 1

Statement of Purpose 1

Scope 2

Limitations 2

Methods of Research 2

CHAPTER 2 - FINDINGS 3-8

Wikis in Web 2.0

Definition, How Wikis Work 3

Public Usage, Business Usage, Advantages 4

Blogs in Web 2.0

Definition 5

Advantages, Increased Use 6

Knowledge Base, Creating synergy, Tracking Feedback 7

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) in Web 2.0

Definition, Underlying Technology 8

CHAPTER 3 - CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 9-10

Conclusions 9

Recommendations 10

WORKS CITED WORKS CITED 11

Executive Summary

Web 2.0 is a suite of different software components that makes collaboration simple. The components that businesses are currently using the most are Blogs and Wikis, which are increasing in use everyday. A Wiki is a discussion medium that allows users to interact with each other by editing and removing each other's comments. A Blog is a tool that works similar to E-mails and Instant Messaging; however, its use is simpler. Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is the underlying technology that dynamically updates information from other internet sources and posts it to Wikis and Blogs. These components allow companies to collect intangible customer and employee knowledge which is unavailable through the communication channels currently available.

The Web 2.0 technology exhibits the following key features:

* Quick to set up and edit, which is a great advantage to update quickly as soon as events unfold and new information becomes available

* Reduces usage of Emails and other more time-consuming and less efficient programs

* Cuts through processes and tight data control

* Optimizes allocation of resources

* Displays collaborative approach to information sharing

* Provides collective ground to transform mistakes into corrections

* Creates a knowledge base for later retrieval and usage

* Promotes innovative and lateral thinking

* Tracks positive and negative feedback

Companies using Wikis and Blogs can focus the intangible knowledge and synergy that is created by bringing together customers, employees and management to build a tight knit community around people and product.

Recommendations:

* Setup a Blog: Get the IT department to set up a Blog for customers to post comments.

* Implement Wikis: Outline a plan for company Wikis both internal and external use.

* Bring in Consultants: It is essential to bring in consultants in order to assess how to implement this change quickly and to what initial scale.

IMPACT OF WEB 2.0 ON

BUSINESS COLLABORATION

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

Background

Web 2.0 is simplifying the way businesses communicate and collaborate internally and externally. Web 2.0 is a collection of simple components that streamlined the way information is published, edited, and shared on the Web (Cone 56). Currently Wikis and Blogs are the components most often used by companies for collaboration. A Wiki is a discussion medium that allows users to interact with each other by editing and removing each other's comments. A Blog is a tool that works similar to E-mails and Instant Messaging; however,