Will IBM Compete with Facebook/Web 2.0? – Sorry, There Is No Competition, but Augmentation!

4 thoughts on “Will IBM Compete with Facebook/Web 2.0? – Sorry, There Is No Competition, but Augmentation!”

  1. Luis-
    I do not know what you mean by “augmentation.” I think you mean “non-replacement of existing applications” — but that has implications such as (a) added software maintenance (and licensing) costs, and (b) significant “business process change” costs.
    – Dennis

  2. Hi Dennis! Thanks a bunch for dropping by and for the feedback comments. Yes, indeed, I meant “augmentation” in the sense of “addition” of social computing technologies on top of what is already available.

    While I initially agree with you about a) and b), you would probably have to agree with me that social software maintenance is minimal and relatively easy to put together, at least, that has been our experience inside IBM with the Technology Adoption Program that we have been running for a number of years. I wouldn’t think it would be too difficult, pretty much like it would not be for folks, for instance, who are managing their own social software tools out there on the Internet.

    Regarding b), initially perhaps, but once people get more and more exposed to social software tools and they start seeing the benefits of using those tools as opposed to others, then those changes would be taken as something of a value add into something better. Something that would help them become much more productive with less effort and if that is the case I do not see the issue about the business process chance as I feel, if anything, will help costs keep under control and perhaps at a later stage prepare the sunset of a number of legacy tools, which would help address some of those costs you are mentioning.

    Let me know what you think and thanks again for the feedback!

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