In Short
This chapter began by briefly explaining why Web 2.0 and the “Web as a Platform” concept resonated so well with Cisco, the “Network as a Platform” company. Then it examined how the Intranet Strategy Group helped drive collaborative technology adoption across the company. It explored Cisco adoption of several technologies: blogs, discussion forums, and wikis, providing examples of each. It outlined some of the basic details of these implementations and shared guidelines and tips, drawn from some of the most successful implementations, Jere King’s blog and Collaboratory, for example.
Next, the chapter described some of the services and tools Cisco developed using these technologies as a part of the Intranet Strategy Group vision: Directory 3.0 and C-Vision. It provided snapshots and details about these tools to provide insight into how Web 2.0 technologies and services continue to evolve and provide value to the business. As the statistics shown in the chapter indicate, these technologies and tools have been hugely successful and have enabled the organization to identify expertise and begin forming communities of interest.
Finally, the chapter identified a few of the organizational changes that have occurred as Cisco continues to place an emphasis on the importance of Web 2.0 technologies and tools in our efforts to transform the company into a more collaborative organization. The CCoE and C&C Board have begun to drive a more cohesive architectural framework for collaboration across the company. They have also consolidated many of the fragmented and sometimes redundant efforts, as teams now collaborate on collaborative initiatives.
So, what’s ahead for FY09 and beyond? Much can be said for the work that’s already gone into the evolution of Web 2.0 technology and tools at Cisco, but there is still much more work ahead. The goal is to continue driving productivity, growth, and innovation, leveraging Web 2.0 technologies such as Directory 3.0 and Ciscopedia, for example.
Web 2.0 technologies enable Cisco to connect to the right people, resources, and information at the right time, but also to drive a more integrated workforce experience. As Cisco continues to become more adept as a company in the use of Web 2.0 technologies, it leverages its power to communicate more effectively and efficiently and to collaborate both internally and externally with employees, customers, and partners. But above all, Cisco continues to change the way people “live, work, play, and learn,”SM with the “Network as the Platform.”