Lightweight Apps at Disney Web 2.0 Conference Enterprise Social Software October 5 th, 2004 Michael Pusateri Disney ABC Cable Networks Group

What exactly are we doing What exactly are we doing Solving problems that users have by creating new software systems Solving problems that users have by creating new software systems Using weblog software, wiki software, and syndication software in lightweight enterprise operations Using weblog software, wiki software, and syndication software in lightweight enterprise operations

What are my choices? What are my choices? Conventional Wisdom Conventional Wisdom Use well-known, high-end workflow software vendors to solve problems Use well-known, high-end workflow software vendors to solve problems Invariably involves consultants to modify software to meet needs Invariably involves consultants to modify software to meet needs Spend a lot of money, take a lot of time Spend a lot of money, take a lot of time Alternative Method Alternative Method Keep it simple Keep it simple Utilize existing software that is orders of magnitude less costly Utilize existing software that is orders of magnitude less costly Get to a good starting point, focus on continuous incremental improvement Get to a good starting point, focus on continuous incremental improvement Maintain ability to modify software as needed Maintain ability to modify software as needed

How did make the decision to use these systems? How did make the decision to use these systems? Desire for the existing system to be changed (If it ain’t broke…) Desire for the existing system to be changed (If it ain’t broke…) Understand minimum criteria for success Understand minimum criteria for success Get agreement on not building a completely comprehensive system (build what is needed, not wish lists) Get agreement on not building a completely comprehensive system (build what is needed, not wish lists) Compare the costs Compare the costs

How do you get users to accept the new methodologies and paradigms? How do you get users to accept the new methodologies and paradigms? Don’t tell users there are new methodologies and paradigms, they don’t care or need to know. Don’t tell users there are new methodologies and paradigms, they don’t care or need to know. Show them that the new systems allow them to get their work done Show them that the new systems allow them to get their work done Show them that you can fix problems that prevent them from getting their work done going forward Show them that you can fix problems that prevent them from getting their work done going forward

What did we do? What did we do? Used weblog software and syndication aggregation to replace and improve existing team communication software Used weblog software and syndication aggregation to replace and improve existing team communication software Used wikis to allow team collaboration on information about projects and ongoing responsibilites Used wikis to allow team collaboration on information about projects and ongoing responsibilites

What is still needed? What is still needed? RSS Aggregation in Exchange / Remote Admin RSS Aggregation in Exchange / Remote Admin More RSS/Atom code like Rome APIs More RSS/Atom code like Rome APIs Authentication & Authorization for syndication feeds Authentication & Authorization for syndication feeds

Did I forget anything?