IDC chooses cloud-based approach

An industry analyst firm has chosen to power its online customer community with social business software in the cloud. IDC will use IGLOO Software for its community, called IDC Insights, where IT decision-makers look for information about technology options. More than 150 IDC analysts share their knowledge there via recurring blog posts.

IGLOO Software reports that IDC wanted to create a community environment in which IT and business professionals can network and discuss technology issues. To realize that goal, IDC needed to address the constraints of its existing platform, which included an inflexible design, limited functionality to facilitate interaction and heavy reliance on IT for customization.

Mary Conroy, director of marketing, IDC Insights, says, “The IDC Insights community is quickly becoming a popular forum for IT professionals, achieving 78 percent growth in new membership this past year. With IGLOO, our goal is to take engagement to a whole new level by enabling a more open exchange of knowledge, between practitioners and analysts, around common topics and industry challenges."

IGLOO reports that it was chosen by IDC after months of research involving various vendors, because of its ease of use, flexibility of design and frequent introduction of new capabilities.