Heavyweight collaboration and social computing platforms from major vendors frequently disappoint business users seeking more polished, out-of-the-box Enterprise 2.0 applications, according to the latest reviews from The Real Story Group, an independent analyst firm that evaluates enterprise and web technologies.

Enterprises attempting to improve internal collaboration and social networking typically seek some combination of the following ten applications:

• Knowledgebase Management
• External Collaboration
• Project Collaboration
• Socializing Legacy Processes
• Communities
• Innovation Support
• Expertise Location
• Social Q & A
• Enterprise Networking
• Enterprise Conversation

“The sheer diversity of these use cases sometimes drives enterprises to invest in a major platform like Microsoft SharePoint, IBM Connections, or Oracle WebCenter,” notes Real Story Group founder, Tony Byrne. “Yet those very platforms provide few of these ten services as polished, out-of-the-box applications -- an unpleasant surprise for business units expecting more immediate results and less application development.”

RSG found that many smaller Enterprise 2.0 vendors have carved a niche by providing specific, ready-to-go applications designed for rapid business value. Examples include Spigit (Social Q&A); Yammer, blueKiwi (Enterprise Networking); Telligent (Enterprise Conversation); Socialtext, MindTouch, Atlassian (Knowledgebase Management); and NewsGator (Communities for SharePoint), among several others.

Version 4.0 of RSG’s Enterprise Collaboration and Social Software Report evaluates nineteen Enterprise 2.0 vendors.

“To be sure, a mixed vendor strategy presents near-term challenges for enterprise systems’ architectures, as well as long-term challenges for business users, who may later confront splintered profiles and disconnected activity streams,” adds Real Story Group analyst, Kashyap Kompella.

“Each enterprise circumstance is unique, but I’d encourage practicality over elegance,” concludes Byrne. “Given all the hype and misinformation around Enterprise 2.0 technologies, enterprises should pursue what works and delivers near-term value.”

RSG’s Enterprise Collaboration and Social Software Report is available for one-time purchase or as an annual subscription at www.RealStoryGroup.com/Purchase/