Basically, “Web 2.0″ means different things to different people. * To the programmer, it’s a set of tools and techniques that have the potential for fundamentally altering how network based applications and data are managed and delivered. * For start-ups and venture capitalists, it’s an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of another bubble. * For the corporate CIO or IT manager, it’s another set of technologies and architectures to be adopted and supported in an era of continued I.T. department budget strains. * For newer or smaller companies, it’s an opportunity to acquire technical and business process infrastructure at a fraction of the investment made by older and legacy companies. * For the marketing manager it’s an opportunity to “end-run” a traditionally unresponsive I.T. department. * For the CEO of an established legacy industry, it’s a threat of loss of control over customer relations. * For the customer it’s an opportunity to establish and maintain relationships that are both personally fulfilling and empowering in the face of the traditional power of larger institutions.

Feb 28
Feb 28 Web 2.0 and the Flat Enterprise

Dennis D. McDonald

Enterprise 2.0, Governance, Web 2.0

I’ve been trying to figure out what the impacts of “web 2.0” applications and processes will be on “the enterprise.” There are a couple of blogs I read that do tend to evangelize but also they regularly offer useful thinking to put Web 2.0 developments into perspective.

Jan 4
Jan 4 Business and I.T. Must Work Together to Manage New "Web 2.0" Tools

Dennis D. McDonald

Blogging, Enterprise 2.0, Governance, Web 2.0

Significant opportunities to meet market and customer needs are emerging as corporations harness the next generation of “Web 2.0” tools and applications. Many business units recognize this and want to move quickly. But are corporate I.T. (Information Technology) departments ready — and willing — to provide the needed support? This article discusses how business units and corporate I.T. departments can work together to leverage emerging “Web 2.0” applications.

Dec 16
Dec 16 Corporate IT Governance and "Web 2.0" Applications

Dennis D. McDonald

Blogging, Enterprise 2.0, Governance, Management Tools, Web 2.0

For a given technology-based application, system, or service, it's critical for a company to define who owns and is responsible for developing, managing, and running it. Failure to do so can result in "orphan" applications and systems that sit uncomfortably between business and IT, all the while consuming resources (storage space, updates, maintenance, communication costs, infrastructure costs, governance costs, etc.). Even blogs and podcasts can turn into "orphan applications" if we're not careful.

Nov 9
Nov 9 Blogging and Corporate Damage Control

Dennis D. McDonald

Blogging, DRM, Governance, Sony

A question I’m researching is how companies might be able to use blogs to support important communication functions such as project management, employee relations, and damage control.