Google's Wave communication and collaboration platform is getting early interest from enterprise application vendors like Salesforce.com and SAP.
Both companies have built prototype applications using Wave, which was released in preview mode for about 100,000 users on Wednesday after being available only to developers. Wave combines a range of technologies, such as document sharing and instant messaging, into a system for real-time collaboration.
[ Google has called Wave a "Swiss Army knife for online services." | Earlier this month, Google let Google Apps users try out Wave. | Discover what's new in business applications with InfoWorld's Technology: Applications newsletter and Killer Apps blog. ]
SAP Research and the vendor's NetWeaver development team created an application called Gravity using Wave. In a demonstration video, Gravity is used to develop process models for a hypothetical merger between an insurance company and a bank. Once completed, the process models are exported into SAP's BPM (business process modeling) software for further refinement.
Meanwhile, Salesforce.com created an extension that employs Wave for customer service. A demonstration video shows how a customer in need of support can use Wave to start a dialogue with an automated support robot. The system also creates a case record in Salesforce.com. If the robot can't answer the user's questions, the user can request a live representative, who joins the conversation.
Google is mulling the prospect of a "monetizable Wave extension store," according to an official blog post, through which these applications and others could conceivably be sold.
But while Wave is an intriguing technology, at this point it doesn't quite meet the needs of enterprises, according to Redmonk analyst Stephen O'Grady.
"For both ISVs and enterprises, the usability will have to be improved," he said. "It's still an intimidatingly new technology for less technical users, so Google would do well to work with potential partners to abstract needless complexity and exposing only the business functionality required."
Google acknowledged that Wave remains a work in progress in an official blog post this week, saying it "isn't quite ready for prime time" and noting that key features, such as a draft mode, remain to be implemented.
Get the independent advice and expertise you need to support a virtual workforce.
The increase in Linux popularity has increased the frequency and sophistication of malware attacks. Read this 2 page white paper now to learn how you can protect your Linux environment with real-time protection that is certified by all major Linux vendors.
Download now »
Ensuring acceptable application delivery will become even more difficult over the next few years. As a result, IT organizations need to ensure that the approach that they take to resolving the current application delivery challenges can scale to support the emerging challenges. This handbook elaborates on the key tasks associated with planning, optimization, management and control and provides decision criteria to help IT organizations choose appropriate solutions.
Download now »
A common misconception is that mid-range storage requirements are dramatically different than that of a larger enterprise. Mid-range storage users may require less capacity, but they have similar functionality and management requirements. This ESG paper examines mid-range storage needs and reviews a new solution that adjusts size while retaining value, performance and functionality.
Download now »
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
Like any valuable resource, IT is a terrible thing to waste. But by applying the same lean techniques that have been used to streamline manufacturing processes, IT departments can reduce costs, improve performance and better manage resources.
Download now! »
Stephen Elliot, vice president of strategy for CA's Infrastructure Management and Data Center Automation business unit, explains why difficult economic times drive the need for simplified management capabilities and advanced automation tools.
Listen now! »
According to a recent study CA conducted with 300 CIOs and top IT executives, 64 percent of respondents say they've already invested in virtualization, and the other 36 percent reported that they plan to invest in virtualization.
Download now! »
In this video learn about process automation in a virtualized world. How CA and VMware are enabling enterprise datacenter automation.
View now! »
16 Recommendations
