Enterprise social software (ESS) is a combination of social networking and collaboration tools used by organizations for information and data sharing, social and formal communications, networking, tasks sharing, micro-blogging and other business applications. It provides social connectedness to the organization’s employees, distributors, channels, partners and customers. It also helps organizations improve business operations through seamless connectivity that allows smoother communications across all departments.
Enterprise social software (ESS) combines traditional collaboration tools with a social networking layer and transverses across geographical regions and organization hierarchy. Accessible from computers as well as mobile devices, an ESS provides an organization with real-time communication channels and a social platform that is flexible in the way it is deployed and administered.
An ESS may be either standalone, such as specifically designed for corporate communications, or implemented as a social module integrated into other mainstream social media software. In whichever form, organizations install an ESS with the aim of improving transparency across the organization and making relevant information more accessible irrespective of locations and the organization’s hierarchy boundaries.
An ESS offers user-friendly and flexible tools that enhance business value across all regions of an enterprise, by providing an enterprise inter-networking platform. It allows for natural and active engagement between employees, partners, suppliers, distributors and other business players by letting them interact at any time and from any location. It also encourages employee engagement, which leads to strengthening of an organization’s strategies and business.
Other benefits of an ESS include accelerating real-time knowledge sharing and innovation, utilizing and showcasing of internal experts and knowledge, encouraging informal learning, unlocking creativity and expertise, as well as enhancing employee satisfaction and performance.
There is also increased customer feedback and ease with which customers can instantly get access to experts in the organization. An ESS also allows users to find detailed information about colleagues, ask questions and get answers, create groups to brainstorm and collaborate on projects, start and complete projects without leaving the group’s workspace, etc.
