07/14/2008

WorkLight, the Enterprise 2.0 Company, says reports just released from Forrester Research and Gartner indicate that companies are looking to capitalize on the business potential of popular Web 2.0 tools such as social networking sites, personalized homepages, RSS and more.

ebizQ received the following:

In a recent Forrester survey of 262 IT executives, 63% responded they expect Web 2.0 technologies to impact the business world. Furthermore, 79% of respondents indicated concern by unsanctioned use of these tools by employees.

"Forrester's conclusion that IT departments are taking an active role in acquiring and deploying Web 2.0 technologies securely, is indicative of feedback we have been getting from customers and prospects in our business," said David Lavenda, WorkLight's vice president of marketing and strategy.

Gartner's report, he added, indicates that the business potential specifically for social networking web sites remains largely untapped, though these sites will become increasingly critical as large companies seek to edge out the competition.

According to Lavenda, any company whose staff directly access social networking sites, desktop gadgets and other Web 2.0 services, should implement adequate safeguards to protect against potential IT security threats.

Lavenda went on to say that companies should devise a Web 2.0 strategy that will serve their business needs, and then implement a secure environment to take advantage of commonly-available Web 2.0 services.

"Then they can begin to tap into the true B2B and B2C advantages of these innovative tools, as well as the potential uplift to revenues and customer satisfaction levels that Web 2.0 services bring to the table," he said.

WorkLight creates a secure server-based environment to enable companies to do business where their customers, channels and partners spend their time online.