Social Networking Tools to Become a Staple in the Enterprise Environment

DUXBURY, MA--(Marketwire - August 13, 2009) - Wainhouse Research has recently expanded its Rich Media Metrics survey coverage to include the Enterprise Social Networking space. In the third report of the survey series, respondents provided insight into the adoption and usage trends of these systems indicating there is still great untapped potential for this new technology. While fewer than 25% of the respondents had ESN capabilities in place today, more than 90% said they would deploy both inward-facing and outward-facing ESN systems eventually.

While LinkedIn was the public social networking site most used by those surveyed for personal use (67.3%), Facebook was a close second (58.9%) and YouTube not far behind the leaders (50.9%). Also of interest was the fact that 32% of respondents considered inward-facing ESN, or those used by a known population such as employees, to be extremely or very important for the value it delivers to the enterprise. Benefits included improvements in collaboration, teamwork, productivity and time to market. Outward-facing ESN, or those used by an open population such as customers, was rated as extremely important or very important by almost 42% and, according to the survey responses, benefits of those platforms include brand and customer loyalty, customer service and customer acquisition.

In addition to the survey, Wainhouse Research has recently published two separate studies covering the ESN market. Enterprise Social Networking 2009 Vol. I - Inward-Facing ESN Software Market includes fundamental analysis of inward-facing enterprise social networking platforms, current market sizing and five-year forecasts, and profiles of key vendors and their products. The second study, Enterprise Social Networking 2009 Vol. 2 - Outward-Facing ESN Platforms, explores how enterprises are using social networks to drive their business and how this, in turn, is driving the Enterprise Social Networking market. Both of these studies are currently available either as separate reports or as a companion bundle.

According to the report's author, William F. Zachmann, Senior Analyst at Wainhouse Research, "The survey results are clear. We are still in the early stages of adoption when it comes to both inward and outward-facing ESN platforms for a combination of reasons -- the insufficient perceived benefits and the lack of experience and time to implement them. We should expect to see the rate of adoption increase once the economic situation improves and the technology for ESN systems matures, bringing the adoption curve to a more natural level."

Rich Media Metrics -- Enterprise Social Networking is currently available as a stand-alone report or as an annual subscription covering Channel Partners, Unified Communications, Service Provider Customers and Videoconferencing. For more information on any of these studies or the previously released ESN reports, including Executive Summaries, please visit www.wainhouse.com/reports or contact Client Services Manager Sara Fargo at sfargo@wainhouse.com or +1 781 934 6165.

Wainhouse Research provides insight and intelligence into the global markets for audio, web (data), and video conferencing, real-time Unified Communications, enterprise streaming and webcasting, distance education and enterprise social networking. The company publishes public and private studies, speaks at industry events and private company events, and provides strategic consulting to both industry vendors and end user organizations. Wainhouse Research conferences in the US and Europe provide a forum for the industry to discuss critical issues for industry growth. For more information please visit www.wainhouse.com.