A new report, reveals how speed, agility, mobility, innovation, and reuse are forcing organisations globally to push aside old technologies, models, and architectures to make way for the brave new world of Web 2.0. Broadly put, Web 2.0 is a paradigm shift in the way the Internet is used. It involves a more open approach to the Internet, and user-generated content in particular, such as blogs, podcasts, social media and special-interest review sites. The report highlights the ways in which companies and institutions can use Web 2.0 technologies to change how they do IT and hence run their businesses.

Technology vendors and industry commentators have been appending the ‘2.0’ suffix to all manner of enterprise products and domains over the last year or so in an attempt to signify something new, innovative and user-focused. But the term ‘Web 2.0’ still remains the touchstone of the IT industry. The ideas, concepts, tools, and technologies behind consumer-oriented social networking software are being re-shaped and re-modelled for enterprise use.

Enterprise Web 2.0 is underpinned by the broader concept of Enterprise 2.0 – a paradigm shift relating to Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and IT virtualisation. In some circles, the terms ‘Enterprise Web 2.0’ and ‘Enterprise 2.0’ are used interchangeably to describe the application of Web 2.0 ideas and technologies in the enterprise; however, a clear distinction exists between the use of these two terms, and that this differentiation is important to maintain, as it enables more meaningful discussions to be had when examining the future role of IT within the business.

The management of customer, employee, partner, and stakeholder relationships is vital for all organisations. The social aspects of Web 2.0 are mirrored in the corporate world of Enterprise Web 2.0. Workforce mobility and changing communication patterns are two more trends that are driving change at the infrastructure layer. As such, unified communication and collaboration requirements are an important part of Enterprise 2.0 strategies.

It is clearly a mistake to think that Web 2.0 is all about technology, and likewise Enterprise Web 2.0; but it is also a mistake to dismiss the technology altogether. Selecting and implementing enterprise social software solutions, next-generation collaboration solutions, and Rich Internet Applications requires careful thought, consideration, and planning.

The driving force behind every aspect of Enterprise Web 2.0 is the experience of the end user, whether that be employee, customer, partner or stakeholder. This means that all organisations must reassess their IT strategies in view of this clear and distinct shift in direction.

Related research: Web 2.0 and The Enterprise: Strategies to maximize new opportunities