How we compared corporate social networks. Part 1

    Good afternoon!

    We position ourselves as a platform-independent company and our focus is not so much on introducing IT tools, but on attracting users to work in a new environment, developing new skills, and changing user habits. Therefore, we help our customers choose the most suitable platform for them.

    How is it customary to compare classic IT systems? A huge list of functionality is taken and a table is drawn. If one of the compared systems implements this functionality - put a tick or a filled circle, if it implements with reservations - put a half filled circle, if it does not, put a pass or an empty circle. But the fact is that a corporate social network is not an ordinary IT system, it was made to introduce new methods of teamwork and as a result solve business problems not only from top to bottom, but also from bottom to top. And this means that you need to make such an interface so that users like it. As a result, it is necessary 1) to evaluate the functionality of the system and 2) to evaluate the convenience of end users. Let's talk about these components in more detail.

    Benchmarking Platform Functionality


    When a customer is interested in introducing corporate social systems and does not have any specific preferences for a particular product, it is important to understand the business purpose of using the network first. Does the customer need an integrated portal with an integrated social network, or does the portal already exist and need to add a social component to it, or does integration of a corporate social network with a document management system or corporate telephony be required. Etc. Let us first dwell on the comparison of this particular component.

    But here is what came to light. It would seem that before you invent a bicycle, look on the Internet, maybe it has already been invented. Offhand analysis of platforms for social communications has been carried out for several years by such giants as Gartner, Ovum or Forrester. But the local Russian market is too small for them and local brands are not present in the analysis. And they are, and they have interesting developments for the Russian corporate culture.

    Well, platform comparisons are made not only by Gartner or Forrester, there are other, not so eminent consultants. However, the reports that we found were divided into two categories: in the first one or another platform is clearly moving forward (here is an example and an example), in the second we found too many inaccuracies to trust these results (here is an example and an example ). In addition, each report introduces its own coordinate system and combining comparative tables is very problematic.

    As a result, we came to the conclusion that a comparative analysis should be carried out independently. What did we begin to compare? In this articlewe described how to compare the functionality of corporate social networks - these are basic functions, social processes and the social layer. Since the corporate social network itself is a software platform, issues of managing and administering the system within a large company become important. Well, no one canceled the general questions from the category of “cloud or box?” and "how much?" As a result, we focused on five groups of indicators:

    · General (delivery method, price, localization)

    · Basic functionality

    · Social processes

    · Social layer and integration

    · Management and administration

    We also agreed for ourselves that the total number of parameters should not be too large so as not to blur the focus, but not too small so as not to lose the essence. As a result, we have formed about thirty parameters.

    Now about the choice of platforms for comparison. We chose five platforms - these are Jive, IBM Connections, Yammer, Bitrix24 and DaOffice. Why exactly them? Firstly, in our subjective opinion, this five represents the top five sales leaders on the Russian market. Secondly, the first three are included in the group of leaders according to estimates of consulting agencies. Thirdly, added strong Russian players - Bitrix24 and DaOffice. I apologize in advance to admirers of SAP Jam, Atlassian Confluence (I think they are the closest candidates for inclusion in the list) and other manufacturers - I will be glad if you help to supplement the analysis below with data on these systems. If any of you see inaccuracies in the sheet, write to us.

    Comparison table for corporate social networks:

    Manufacturer
    Jive software
    Ibm connections
    Yammer
    Bitrix24
    Daoffice
    Platform
    Description
    Social intranet. Jive-n - internal network, editions of Essentials, Essentials +, Enterprise. Jive-x - external network, editions of Forums, Essentials, Essentials +
    Social Intranet
    Corporate social network (social intranet within Office 365). Editions Basic, Enterprise
    Social intranet. Editorial Office Project, Team, Company, Corporate Portal, Holding
    Corporate social network. Editorial Team, Business, Enterprise
    Shipping method
    Boxed and cloud versions. The box functional is higher than the cloud. Datacenters in the USA and Europe
    Boxed and cloud versions. The difference in functions is insignificant. Datacenters in the USA, Europe and Asia
    Cloud version only, data center in Europe
    Boxed and cloud versions. Data center in Europe, planned to move to Russia
    Boxed and cloud versions, data center in Russia
    The cost of the cloud version (excluding special conditions)
    From 144USD per year per user, external users without restriction, the number of accesses to the site is charged
    From 128USD per year for a full range of services. Free Guest Accounts
    36USD per year per user, external users without restrictions
    120t rub per year without limiting the number of users, external users without limiting
    1260 rubles per user per year + 354 rubles per external user per year
    The cost of the boxed version (excluding special conditions)
    Subscription Licensing. See the cost of the cloud version.
    Perpetual licenses by the number of internal users, or by server capacity
    Not
    199t rub + 1400 rub per user, external users unlimited or 499t rub unlimited use.
    Licensed by subscription. 1068 rubles per user per year + 270 rubles per external user per year. You can purchase a perpetual license - the cost is equal to two years of subscription.
    Test version
    30-day trial from the cloud
    60-day trial from the cloud
    Free version without time limits. The possibilities of customization, moderation, administration, integration are limited.
    Free version of 30 days from the cloud or out of the box. Minimum cloud edition up to 12 users - for free.
    Free version from the cloud without time limits. The possibilities of customization, moderation, administration, integration are limited.
    Individual design
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes, in the boxed version
    Yes
    Localization (Russian language)
    Yes, the language is set by the user.
    Yes, the language is set automatically based on your browser settings
    Yes, the language is set by the user.
    Yes
    Yes
    Multilingualism
    Multilingual interface. Spellchecker for a limited number of languages
    Multilingual interface
    Multilingual interface. Multilingual online message translator.
    Interface Russian, English, Ukrainian, Spanish, German
    Russian interface only
    Main functionality
    Basic functions (news feed, text messages, pictures, videos, discussions, subscriptions, announcements, notifications, tags)
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Groups (open, closed, moderation)
    Yes, plus secret and / or with the addition of external users
    Yes + the ability to connect external users to the group
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Forums
    Yes
    Yes
    Not
    Not
    Not
    Blogs, Wikis, Co-Editing, Official Versions
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Work with files (central repository, sending and storing files, versioning)
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes, 5GB per person
    Yes, unlimited storage
    Yes, unlimited storage
    Private correspondence
    Yes, but as a rule, for personal correspondence you need to add an interlocutor to your network and receive confirmation - insisted by a moderator
    Yes, through IBM Sametime. But for personal correspondence, you need to add the interlocutor to your network and get confirmation
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Inbox (read / unread / send / reply)
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Presence Status / Chat / Group Chat
    Yes
    Yes, through IBM Sametime
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes, the status of presence through the widget "now online"
    User profiles
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes, one profile for all networks
    Yes, for an external network, the profile has a minimum of fields
    Yes, different profiles for different networks
    Unified search (files, people, profiles, content, mailbox)
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes, taking into account the morphology of the Russian language
    Yes, taking into account the morphology of the Russian language
    External users
    You can create private or secret groups and include external users in them
    Yes, you can enable an unlimited number of external users
    By creating a separate network for internal and external users. User
    can switch between networks
    Yes, the minimum functionality of the external network is personal chats, group chats, private messages, notifications.
    By creating a separate network for internal and external users. User
    can switch between networks
    Social
    processes

    Calendars
    Yes
    Yes
    As part of Office 365
    Yes
    Creating events and integrating them with your email client.
    Project and task management
    Yes, plus task management through Producteev
    Via the activities module included
    As part of Office 365
    Yes, absentee schedule, time tracking, delegation
    Event Management
    Organization chart
    Yes
    Chain of command
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Polls and Voting
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Idea management
    Creation and processing of ideas, voting, reputation (as amended by Essentials +)
    Creation and processing of ideas, voting
    Surveys and polls, managing ideas through the Ideascale app
    Yes
    Creation and processing of ideas, voting, reputation of the idea
    Motivation
    Gamification, missions, badges. Points for active use of the system.
    Not
    Acknowledgments
    Yes
    Reputation, badges, expert statuses on topics, thanks
    Involvement of new users
    When registering, a usage policy is signed. Engagement letter templates. Points for activity. Tasks-games to study functionality.
    When registering, a usage policy is signed. Tasks-games to study functionality.
    When registering, a usage policy is signed.
    Engagement letter templates. Links to training materials.
    When registering, a usage policy is signed. By default, a user can immediately subscribe to certain groups and define other rules.
    Social layer and integration
    Active Directory Sync
    Yes, multiple domains
    Yes, multiple domains
    Yes, multiple domains
    Yes, several domains in the Holding version
    Yes, multiple domains
    Integration

    SharePoint (Enterprise edition), MS Office (Essentials + edition), Outlook (Essentials + edition), GoogleDrive, Google Docs (Jive-x Essentials + edition)
    Lotus Notes, Sametime, Exchange, SocialMail, MS Office, MS Outlook, SharePoint
    SharePoint, Office 365, Saleforce, Dynamic CRM, Exchange (roadmap)
    Office 365, Google Docs, SharePoint
    SharePoint and other portals
    Integration with third-party applications
    Openocial
    REST API, OpenSocial
    OpenGraph, REST API, Yammer embed
    Open API
    Socialgraph
    Mobile platforms
    iOS, Android, Blackberry, iPads, Winphone
    iOS, Android, Blackberry, iPads, Winphone
    iOS, Android, Winphone
    iOS, Android
    iOS, Android
    Additional applications
    App store
       Affiliate ecosystem, apps integrate through APIs and widgets

    App store
    CRM, process designer, application store
    Created via script
    Voice and video communication
    Integration with Cisco Webex or Lync Available as App
    through IBM Sametime
    Office 365 Lync Integration
    Yes, plus telephony
    Not
    Control
    Usage Policies
    Usage policy, communication flow management
    through synchronization with LDAP
    Yes
    Access rules
    Usage policy, communication flow management
    Keyword Monitoring
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Not
    Yes
    user management
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Password policy
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    Not
    Yes
    Analytics
    Statistics panel + data export
    Via Cognos reports for IBM Connections (included in the boxed version)
    Statistics panel + data export
    Statistics panel
    Statistics panel + data export
    Security
    eDiscovery
    eDiscovery through third-party software
    eDiscovery, two-factor authorization
    Two-factor authorization
    Two-factor authorization. Data center on the territory of the Russian Federation, certificates and licenses for processing PD and information protection.

    Here is an example of using a table. A large corporate customer already has a portal on SharePoint and is considering adding a social function to the portal, that is, it is politically incorrect to build a parallel portal, you need to add a “clean” corporate social network. But security is against a cloud installation. And I do not want to overpay. By the totality of the parameters, we see that in this situation the most suitable solution is DaOffice. Number two is Yammer, if there are arguments for the security service.

    One more example. The company is represented in Europe, Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union, has a large number of partners and decides to streamline communications in the partner network. So far, partners have been communicating scattered, via email, phone, ICQ and Skype. The company has a Cisco telephony system. The most logical solution is to build a single portal for broader marketing penetration and organize feedback through a corporate social network. Because it requires a social intranet, multilingual interfaces, and integration with Cisco, the Jive platform is most preferred. Number two can go either IBM Connections or Yammer with a future sight on a bunch with SharePoint.

    Further, in part 2 we will write about how to choose the right platform, and in part 3 we will write how to evaluate the convenience of end users and share our impressions about the amenities and disadvantages of a particular platform. To be continued ...

    Vladimir Ivanitsa

    viva@supereon.ru

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