The Top 5 Web 2.0 Applications For The Enterprise

In my previous post, we reviewed five possible Web 2.0 technologies that can be implemented in an Enterprise context (aka Enterprise 2.0). Today, i would like to offer a more practical approach and review specific applications that if implemented correctly, can turn your Enterprise 2.0 vision into a reality.

All the applications mentioned below have some common characteristics:

1. All of them run on the web, and require a simple browser in order to be accessed.
2. All of them feature a rich yet easy-to-use user interface that provides an exceptional user experience.
3. Most of them are SAAS (Software as a service, or hosted) applications. SAAS is a new delivery model where companies pay not for owning the software itself but for using it. Normally, SAAS applications are hosted by the vendor itself.
4. All of them offer a significantly lower TOC (Total Cost of Ownership) and rapid ROI (Return on Investment) when compared to similar traditional desktop based applications.
5. Most of them offer a relatively open API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to integrate its functionality into existing applications.
6. All of them offer relatively solid user support services.

So here they are – the top five Web 2.0 applications for the Enterprise:

Salesforce.com: Salesforce, a CRM (Customer Relationships Management) web based service, pioneered the SAAS domain. It features a super-intuitive web interface as well as a streamlined set of processes that helps you make the most of your Contacts, Accounts, Leads and Opportunities, and increase your sales productivity. Moreover, Salesforce.com runs Apex, a development platform that allows the build of custom hosted business applications that you can integrate into Salesforce.com (for example: an Human Resource Management Information System) and AppExchange, a marketplace for applications that complement Salesforce.com based functionality (most of them are free). In two words: If you are looking for a CRM solution – i suggest that you evaluate Salesforce.com.

Zoho: After trying them all, i am pretty much convinced that Zoho is currently the most advanced Office 2.0 suite in the market. What i like the most about Zoho, is that although it runs on the web, its set of features is rich, and would satisfy even the most enthusiastic MS Office user. In my opinion, Zoho Writer (the word processor) and Zoho sheets (the Excel like spreadsheet) are excellent choices for organizations that would like to cut their MS Office expenses (they are 100% free). I also like Zoho Creator, a nifty application that allows you to create database applications in minutes. If you don’t like to work on your office productivity suite on the web, you’ll enjoy Zoho Desktopize, a widget that allows you to work in selected Zoho applications in a desktop environment.

BaseCamp: Basecamp, made by 37Signals, is a hosted project collaboration and management solutions that allows for easy interaction with employees and client during the project lifecycle. In my point of view, BaseCamp still lacks in presentation quality (Gantt charts etc’), but still it makes an affordable project collaboration tool you can use in a small and medium business.

WordPress: I am almost convinced that anyone who’s running a blog heard about WordPress, the leading blogging platform based on MySQL. The good news, is that also enterprises can leverage WordPress in order to foster collaboration with business partners and increase product footprint. WordPress MU allows companies to build a cost effective multi-user blogging platform for their employees.

Google Apps: Last but definitely not least is Google Apps. This relatively young office productivity suite includes GMail (with Chat and calendar), Google Docs and Spreadsheets, as well as personalized live support. The cost is also appealing – 50$ per user/year. The fundamental issue with Google Apps, is that although GMail is an excellent email client, Google Docs and Spreadsheets, still significantly lag behind MS Office and Zoho as far as functionality and usability is concerned.

Your comments are more than welcome. So, what are YOUR top five Web 2.0 applications for the Enterprise ?.