Socialtext 4.7.5

Enterprise Communication is a double-edged sword in Socialtext. While blog functionality and comments are rather simple wiki-workaround solutions, the integrated microblogging service “Signals” is excellent. It can be used directly within the platform (browser), accessed via mobile phones or through a desktop client that seamlessly integrates with the whole platform. Unlike competing products which claim to provide micro blogging functionality just by implementing user status updates, Socialtext provides the full microblogging package with different message streams, direct (private) messages and “mentions”. Especially useful is the tight integration with the wiki service which allows users to communicate page edits. Socialtext underlines its commitment to ease of use within Signals by enabling auto-forward-typing for colleague names. With the release of version 4.6 comes an integration of Signals with Lotus Sametime and the Microsoft Office Communicator. As already mentioned, however, basic functionalities like forums and rating of content are missing.

Networking and Expert Search is not in the focus of Socialtext, but the product provides the basis for it. Every user has a profile page which looks like a dashboard and contains a member’s contact information, activity stream, “colleagues” and workspaces. “Colleagues” is a widget which contains two lists, one with people who are following the user and the other with people the user is following. The easy to start-and-stop one-way following mechanism (compare Twitter) is very handy since it enables users to configure an update stream which displays the activities of all personally relevant persons in their organization. Socialtext enables profile-tagging. However, the fact that anybody can add and remove tags is critical. Profiles do indicate some organizational structure enabling people to display their manager or assistant’s name, but the network visualization is limited to a follower list and does not include an organizational hierarchy.

When it comes to Project Management, Socialtext lacks basic features like task lists or an easy workflow management. Anyway, some functionalities can be realized via workarounds: A page watcher bot monitors pages and posts alerts and notifications as Signals. It is possible to set up an individual workspace as a project collaboration platform. It can be enriched with a project blog and the project outline can be shared on a wiki-page. These wiki-pages can be built easily using the Form Builder, a tool box for fast page creation combining specific sets. Furthermore, the project communication can be enhanced using the integrated microblogging service Signals. Nevertheless, proper Project Management is not supported.

Socialtext has a good understanding of what companies need. This is why they offer different options to run the platform from standard SaaS or SaaS hosted on a dedicated appliance to an on-premise appliance installation (behind the corporate firewall). The software is programmed in Perl and runs on Linux/Unix systems. With the recent release, the developers realized some changes in architecture: A switch from an Apache to a Starman webserver came along with a backport integreation in SQL-database for extended backup features. Socialtext is primarily used in the English speaking world, but has been localized in six Languages, including Japanese, French, Italian and German. Mobile access is possible with iPhones, Blackberrys and Android phones. Socialtext offers light integration through connectors to Microsoft SharePoint and Lotus Connections.

Socialtext integrates with most of the existing LDAP and Single Sign On-Solutions. Additionally, it provides an On-premise appliance option. On a workspace level, access can be defined as either just private (only invited users) or public with a number of nuances (read, write, comment - allowed or prohibited). In addition, administrators can lock down certain pages so that users cannot edit the content which is convenient for workspace critical pages like an overview starting page. User management can be controlled by adding/removing people from groups, the ability to manage user access rights individually provides added value. Content backup and restoration is handled automatically.

Socialtext rather tries to handle implementation and consulting services by themselves and only cooperates with a few partners. Being a small company, this approach seems to overload their capacities at times, so customers have reported positive and negative experiences in dealing with the company, especially with Socialtext support. Though Socialtext has stated that more partnerships will be announced in short time, customers are still not satisfied with the difficulties in getting direct access to developers or consultants. On their website, visitors get a good overview of the product with many webcasts and some whitepapers on best practice. The online documentation is very user friendly and customers can exchange experience in a dedicated Socialtext online workspace. Software updates are released on a monthly basis, but have been reported to cause trouble in seamless operation at times.