Exploring the impact of Web 2.0, IDC (News - Alert) has announced the results of its first regional survey, showing that almost 50 percent of companies view second-generation Internet applications as a significant business opportunity.

 

IDC will be conducting a series of surveys in 2008 to examine the impact of Web 2.0 on Asian enterprises and consumers. The survey conducted by IDC has also shown that almost 8 percent view these applications as a threat.

 

The term “Web 2.0” refers to second-generation Internet applications. These online applications and services allow for users to become contributors (wikis) or participants (e-commerce site reviews, blogs). More often than not, these web 2.0 tools are perceived to be personally enjoyable and beneficial (social network sites like Facebook (News - Alert)).

 

Although many companies view web 2.0 as an opportunity to earn income, a huge number of these companies also do not allow employees to access typical Web 2.0 services from work –such as social networking sites (Facebook and Friendster), Internet video sites (YouTube (News - Alert)) or virtual worlds (Second Life). The reason being, companies think employees accessing these sites will waste their time and company’s money.

 

About 20 percent of respondents agreed that they were accessing services like YouTube, downloading and uploading video and music or even playing online games and using peer-to-peer programs like BitTorrent during their time at work.

 

Claus Mortensen, Principal, IDC Asia/Pacific Emerging Technologies Research, said in a company press release, “There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Web 2.0 in the last couple of years, even to the extent that some have predicted it as the next big bubble. Whatever happens, some areas of Web 2.0 will strongly affect how companies conduct business, the way they view and treat their employees and the way the reach their customers. Our survey shows both Asian enterprises and consumers see great potential in Web 2.0 in all of those areas.”

 

But Web 2.0 has also brought many companies and employees to enhance the work atmosphere. Many consumers said they are actively using Web 2.0 services for work purposes, with almost 50 percent accessing online communities to network with other colleagues, and 23 percent to network with clients and customers.