Web 2.0 is the term used to describe the second generation of the World Wide Web. It marks the evolution from ‘read only' websites to an explosion of collaborative, interactive web-based applications like blogs, wikis and social networking platforms. Many of us make regular use of these tools in our personal lives, but how many of us can claim they improve our business productivity?  Welcome to the world of Enterprise 2.0.

Organisations face several challenges that threaten their ability to grow, retain customers and prosper.  Internally, employees are faced with ever mounting volumes of information they must review and act upon, coupled with a constant need to learn and use the many new and changing productivity-based software tools. Externally, increasing customer demand for enhanced services creates further pressures.

As organisations strive to manage this challenging environment, a new generation of employees is increasingly frustrated to find that the tools they are supplied with in the workplace lag behind what they are accustomed to in their personal lives.

To compound the situation, market and competitive forces are accelerating. Combined, these challenges drive a need to transform enterprise communications to become more dynamic, measurable and relevant.

Enterprise 2.0 is the term given to describe how an organisation can leverage the Web 2.0 technologies within the business environment to respond these challenges.

When I think of the way I used to work a couple of years ago compared to how I work now, I am astounded by how things have changed. Today, I can perform my daily tasks as efficiently and competently at home as I can at the office, or in a hotel or airport lounge for that matter.  I can collaborate instantly with my colleagues using Instant Messenger (IM), have relevant industry information pushed to me on a continual basis, conduct conference calls using an interactive web portal which allows me to share presentations and other business documents in real time, and call in additional participants at the touch of a button.  I can also receive calls made to my office phone on my mobile.

The great thing about all this is that as information becomes more accessible and the people I work with increasingly mobile, my work life has become better. I'm afforded the opportunity to be flexible in how I work, allowing me to manage my own work/life balance – something we all highly value.

A dynamic enterprise is agile, mobile, knowledgeable, and fast. Innovation, performance and productivity are the norm, resulting in rich customer interactions, improved operational performance and exceptional business results.

A dynamic communications framework brings together the four key assets within enterprise communications.  The network, the people, the business processes, and the knowledge.

By tying these key elements together, you create a network which is always on; you enable mobility, you create the opportunity for collaboration, and you provide a platform to securely transform knowledge – all of which increases productivity.

The value of a dynamic communications framework is clear:

Strengthened relationships

•     Give people the freedom to communicate how and where they want, with communications being context, content and business driven
•     Drive more meaningful customers interactions that increase satisfaction
•     Increase confidence in compliance processes

Simplified communications

•     Accelerate business processes
•     Make mobile communications more productive
•     Ensure network, mobile and application security

Improved performance

•     Delivers market-differentiating value
•     Speeds execution
•     Improves financial results

In a stagnate enterprise, critical business information and knowledge can take forever to obtain.  But in a dynamic enterprise, an enterprise that ties together it's people, its business process and its knowledge, supported by an always on, secure network, critical, decision making information is available when you want it on the device you want.