IBM pitches Connections for compliant social networking

IBM has introduced software designed to help businesses use social networking platforms, for both internal and external communications, while remaining within the law.

The company said that the Connections tool would allow users to run platforms such as social communities, microblogging services and group wiki projects, while maintaining security and compliance standards.

IBM said it would be partnering with management software specialist Actiance to add a tool for the Connections platform that would keep logs and archives of social content to maintain compliance in areas such as government and finance.

Additionally, Connections will sport a number of tracking and analysis tools to help organisations monitor staff social networking and communication activity.

Companies are increasingly using social networking tools, both for internal communication and to connect with outside partners and customers, but in doing so they may run a greater risk of breaching regulations governing such things as data protection.

"The benefits of social business are too great to ignore," said Alistair Rennie, general manager of IBM collaboration solutions. "With these new advancements around compliance enablement, a social business can confidently activate networks of people to use a variety of collaborative tools, to improve and accelerate innovation."

One area where growth in business use of social networking platforms is particularly strong is marketing. But while recent studies have shown that social networks can often improve real-world interactions, there is a groing suspicion among market watchers that a bubble economy is emerging in the space.