Box Playing Hardball < Real Story Group Blog

In September of 2010, the Texas Rangers professional baseball team signed a $3 billion, 20-year television deal. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, perennial big market teams, took serious notice. All of a sudden the Rangers -- a team with a nice offensive lineup, but traditionally weaker pitching -- became a contender at the highest level. They could now compete for high-priced free agents and invest significantly in player development within their farm system.

I bring up the Rangers not because they are alive and well in the 2011 baseball playoffs while the Yankees and Red Sox are sitting at home, but because I was reminded of this moment with the recent Box news that they have received yet another round of VC funding. This round of $81 million brings the funding total to $162 million. Not long ago, many were scoffing at Box as being just another California start-up foolishly comparing themselves to the SharePoint behemoth. Box did not (and still doesn't) offer nearly as much functionality as SharePoint. However, with $162 million in funding, they cannot be ignored as a contender.

Of course, money doesn't guarantee victory (as a die-hard Red Sox fan, I know). Box will need strong management and products that meets the needs of buyers, not just investors. But one thing is certain, many of the collaboration and file-sharing mainstays are taking notice. Buyers likely will too.

Excerpt from the Oracle WebCenter Evaluation

Enterprise Collaboration & Social Software Evaluation Stream looks at... Oracle Suites - Platform or Product?

"The social computing situation at Oracle is very confused, and prospective customers should proceed warily. Oracle presently sells three different suites of tools for social computing, though all should be considered more platforms than products..."
(p. 171)

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