Here is as comprehensive list of players in the space that I could compile. I selected them based on my own professional sense of what I thought was important in regards to what they brought to the table and for whom. Some are more platform based than others, but I thought all of them were very relevant to where we are as of today. They are not in any particular order:
In conclusion, this list will expand and contract as conditions continue to evolve. Though some of the platforms/companies are not pure play, they all are contributing to the conversation, in what can only be construed as rhe dawning and evolution of a new digital phenomenon. Did I miss any in your opinion? What are your thoughts on the list? Are some better than others?
Thanks for mentioning WordFrame. We will be happy to provide more info and details if needed.
George
Hi Mark – this is a great list. Have you done any work to compare/contrast these on features, cost, etc? I think a guide like that would be tremendously valuable.
Thanks,
Adam
Hey – Thanks for adding Ramius to the list. We recently launched a social networking platform called Sixent. It’s in consumer beta right now at http://sixent.com but an enterprise version is also in the works. I’d be happy to provide more info if needed.
Mark, the thing that impresses me the most about this list is the time and trouble you took to clip everyone’s home page instead of just a text list (that we have seen 100 times).
What strikes me the most is just how different the marketing and graphic approach is of everyone on the list. Just an amazing array of diverse styles. I would assume from that observation that there is just as much difference in each individual approach to their implementation of the technology related to Social Media.
Which goes to prove that this rapidly growing industry is reflective of the diversity of people that have been attracted to this business. We at introNetworks look forward to learning more about the 24 other impressive companies on this list.
Thanks for making this available to the wider community.
Mark Sylvester, CEO, introNetworks
Mark,
Thanks for the mention. It’s a quickly developing sandbox that we’re all playing and as some of the other comments have mention, each organization has a slightly different approach to the technology, the customer and the implementation.
Mark,
Thanks for the mentioned. It’s a quickly developing sandbox that we’re all playing in and as some of the other comments have mentioned, each organization has a slightly different approach to the technology, the customer and the implementation.
Mark,
Kudos on the effort to compile a list of this rapidly emerging sector where a “magic quadrant” is specifically defined yet. As you mentioned, each of the players does have distinct differentiators, and IGLOO Software is no exception, having evolved from a platform serving the not-for-profit sector and now finding great traction in serving companies needing a collaborative solution that works securely outside or behind the firewall.
Stephen Rouse
VP Marketing, IGLOO Software
@George, My pleasure George, I hope it helps others!
Marc
@Melany, I’m checking it out as we speak, looking forward to exploring everything that sixent.com has to offer.
Marc
@Mark, I agree, that struck me as well. Moreso in the approach, the niche, the feel that they had for what they thought was their audience. It’s interesting in that it does reflect the state of the different online social networks.
I will think that you will see this list expand and contract over the next 12-18 months. I would think the former, not the latter, but then again, we all had that optimism during the dot com boom too!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Marc
@Dan, they all offer something different but in a sense, they are all essentially different flavors of the same ice cream. The great thing though, is that everyone liked ice cream.
Marc
@Stephen, thanks for the kind words.And you’re dead on with your comments as well.
Marc
As far as standalone point solutions, two that you might add include ThoughtFarmer and Firestoker. ThoughtFarmer sees itself as an intranet alternative, but it easily would fit in with these other products.
Forrester compiled a comprehensive list your readers might like, as well. http://tinyurl.com/2mwa6g
Great list you’ve put together, but I’d really like to see Socialtext added. Socialtext was the first enterprise wiki company, and has since evolved to include blogs, Dashboards, People, and Socialcalc… our integrated online spreadsheets. Socialtext offers not only hosted solutions, but also behind the firewall appliances. Finally, we offer not only develop the software, but also provide consulting services to help our customers with successful deployments.
Ok, commercial off!
If there is anything I can discuss with you about this, or perhaps arrange a demo, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Consider IBM Lotus Connections, http://www.ibm.com/software/lotus/products/connections/ , which provided enterprise-ready social networking capabilities such as Profiles, Communities, Blogs, Dogear, and Activities. IBM Lotus Connections v2 began shipping in June 2008. Further, this offering connects with other social networking and collaboration technologies, such as Wikis from IBM Lotus Quickr and other publicly available WIKI offerings.
Many of IBM’s partner members use a current IBM PartnerWorld service which runs Connections as an online community specifically designed to support partner to partner networking.
Like the others, I appreciate your efforts in compiling this list. What strikes me when I read this list is the absence of the leading open source content management systems, which have become social media platforms in their own right.
According to the 2008 Open Source CMS Market Share Survey by Water & Stone (http://waterandstone.com/downloads/2008OpenSourceCMSMarketSurvey.pdf), the clear leaders in terms of brand strength and adoption are WordPress, Joomla! and Drupal.
For reaction from the Drupal community, see http://groups.drupal.org/node/13505.
@Susan, thanks for throwing those 2 into the mix, I’m checking those out. Interesing names as well. I will let you know my thoughts in another post or email
-Marc
Mark – thanks for including Mzinga in the list. Enterprise social media is definitely a hot industry right now. If you’re interested in finding out what we’re up to, check out my blog: http://mzinga.com/v/aaron/.
Best,
Aaron | @astrout
WOW great list you have made there, well done. I have tried Phpizabi but it seems a little buggy! I have been looking for something on the lines of Phpizabi, as an alternative!
Will check out some of those you have mentioned, I have been looking for a decent software for ages. Plus I am looking for Phpizabi themes/styles.
Once again well done with your efforts.
Beeza
Other leading comapny in this market that you can check out
rSitez, http://www.rsitez.com
Hi luis, the site rsitez.com is not a software package you can upload! You have to sign up to them, and pay money to them, as it is hosted on their site !!
Hi,
Look at dzoic.com; handshakes.
I’m using it, its good, robust, custolizable…..
bernard
Great List. My top 3 are onesite, mzinga, and pringo, if you exclude our company. Lol.