Topics Include: Twitter Launches New Business Service, Technology Predictions for 2010, Hodgson Expanding Business Offerings, Holiday Cheer

Twitter Launches New Business Service

Twitter announced it is about to start testing a new service aimed exclusively at businesses enabling several individuals to essentially "guest tweet" from a single business account. Using the feature called Contributors, multiple contributors will be able to access a single business account, with the author's name appearing as a byline on items posted on the account. Contributors is being released in beta to a limited number of testers. Once testing is complete, it will be launched to business and ecosystem partners.

Technology Predictions for 2010

While this year hasn't been reminiscent of the dot com bust days, it hasn't been a banner year for technology folks either. I've been reading up on predictions for 2010, in hopes of a brighter future and to get a handle on what the trends are for next year. Here are the predictions I think will have the most impact on your business.

• Advanced Analytics: Hodgson has long been preaching the importance of using technology's tools–analytics and analysis–to strengthen business operational decisions. The software industry should be focusing on this in 2010 and you can expect to see enhanced customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning tools in the coming year that will move beyond simply providing information to offering simulation and prediction analysis to help shape decisions.
• Going Green: Energy conservation isn't just for Copenhagen. The intelligent use of IT, particularly among white collar staff, can greatly enhance a business's green credentials. Expect to see more business use of e–documents, teleworking and the use of technology solutions to reduce travel, and don't be surprised if your clients expect you to adapt similar methods to maintain your green credibility.
• Staying Social: Last year we saw a survey that showed workers who logged on to Facebook during office hours were actually more productive than their non–connected peers. This year, we'll see even more blurring of work and social lines during business hours. Workers aren't looking to maintain two distinct environments–one for work and one for after hours friends. Businesses will need to focus on using social media for building business participation and connectivity. Don't ignore the power of someone's social profile to build business results.
• Keeping Mobile: By year–end 2010, 1.2 billion people will carry mobile computing devices. There are already thousands of applications for the Apple iPhone, in spite of the limited market. If we get to the point this year where the operating system interface and processor architecture for PC and miniature systems are identical, think of the huge upturn in mobile application availability that would result.

As always, Hodgson is committed to keeping at the forefront of technology trends, while making sure that we back up our predictions with rock–solid technology support and expertise. If you have any questions about how these trends might impact your business or marketing objectives directly, please contact me.

Hodgson Expanding Business Offerings

In the coming year, Hodgson will be expanding our offerings in Content Management and Web Master Services. For the past three years, Hodgson has adopted the Ektron CMS400.Net content management system as our CMS of choice. We maintain a staff of five certified Ektron developers, and have become recognized throughout the region for our Ektron expertise. Ektron allows us to give clients extensive CMS functionality, while leaving budget for custom application integration and development. Ektron's recent 8.0 release offers new social functionality and enhanced tools for marketing, development and business operations to strengthen an organization's online presence. In 2010, expect to read about even more Ektron launches and upgrades from Hodgson as we help clients upgrade to this new functionality.

In fourth quarter 2009, Hodgson launched a Web Master Services solution to help companies looking to outsource all, or a portion, of their website maintenance needs. Today's clients expect a top notch online presence, regardless of a company's size. Our Web Master Services program offers companies large and small the ability to harness Hodgson's expertise and on–line experience, on an as needed basis. Based on the response to this launch, we anticipate growing this side of our business significantly in the coming year.

For information on how either of these services could benefit your company, contact Garry Sittig.