IBM today announced that IDC ranked IBM as the worldwide marketshare leader in the Social Platform market based on total software revenue for 2009 (1).

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The IDC report states that worldwide revenue for the social platforms market was $369.7 million in 2009, representing growth of more than 55 percent.

This is the first time that IDC has published a report on worldwide social platforms by revenue. According to IDC, social platforms emerged as one of the leading technology trends for organizations, based on the recognition that people - customers, employees, business partners, and suppliers - are looking for ways to more easily collaborate interact and share data. The report states that "social platforms are centered around, but not limited to, social networking applications that allow people to connect share, and interact on the Web around a common goal or interest."

IBM's portfolio of social computing, mashups and Web 2.0 technologies, including blogs, communities, profiles, activities, shared bookmarks and more, can help organizations of all sizes work smarter, become more agile, and foster innovation.

IDC characterizes social platform software as "promoting transparent and authentic two-way dialogue that is open, synchronous, and unstructured."

"Social software helps enterprises define their collaboration agenda," said Alistair Rennie, general manager, IBM Lotus Software. "The use of social software can transform the way people work increasing the speed of business."

According to an IBM survey, http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/ceo/ceostudy2010/ 98 percent of CEOs need to restructure the way their organizations work. 5.3 hours is wasted per employee per week due to inefficient processes. Two hours is spent per employee per day looking for the right information and expertise within an organization. Social software can help alleviate this problem because it helps keep global work teams better connected and more able to deliver results.

Global Adoption of IBM's Industry Leading Social Software

According to IDC, the social platforms market includes IBM Lotus Connections as well as the cloud based offering, LotusLive Connections.

IBM Lotus Connections is software that empowers business professionals to develop, nurture and remain in contact with a network of their colleagues; respond quickly to business opportunities by calling upon expertise in their network; and discuss and refine new creative ideas with communities of coworkers, partners and customers.

LotusLive Connections is an innovative set of Web-based collaboration services combined with social networking capabilities. LotusLive Connections features include file sharing, business instant messaging, activity management and networking.

Over 35% of Fortune 100 companies have adopted IBM's social software offerings. IBM Lotus Connections clients include Berlitz International Inc., Sogeti, Digital China Holdings Limited, and Rheinmetall AG.

For more information about IBM social software, visit www.ibm.com/software/lotus.

Additional IBM social software photos are available.

(1) Source: IDC Worldwide Social Platforms Revenue by Vendor, 2007-2009, June 2010, IDC #223817 by Erin Traudt and Michael Fauscette.

  Contact:
  Michelle McIntyre
  IBM Communications
  408-483-6681
  mc@us.ibm.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: mc@us.ibm.com

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SOURCE: IBM