Sunday, April 26, 2009

Web 2.0 Apps for Loyola


One concept that I’ve heard repeated multiple times in this class is the importance of incorporating Web 2.0 technologies in the business environment. In his presentation, Mike Abbaei reiterated this fact and described in greater detail the development cycle associated with implementing a Web 2.0 application. One of the major points that Mike emphasized was that all new products must go through the same development cycle. This is especially important considering that many Web 2.0 applications are created by software technology companies then sold to individual businesses for implementation. The potential danger in this process is that companies run the risk of implementing Web 2.0 apps without first completing the necessary ‘requirements’ and ‘analysis’ phase of the development life cycle. Web 2.0 apps can certainly help a company to cut costs or increase revenue, but they should not be used as a shortcut or implemented without performing due diligence.

I thought it was beneficial to hear Mike’s presentation at the end of the semester because he wrapped up many of the ideas and concepts that were introduced in previous presentations. However, I think that Mike spoke more about the importance of the ability to share information throughout an organization than the other presenters. I think that the ability of an organization to share information in real time has been one of the primary struggles for many companies in today’s marketplace, and Loyola College is a prime example. I found the exercise of listing all the desirable Loyola College web apps to be very interesting, and it provided a sense of just how large of a scope Web 2.0 apps can provide.

Web 2.0 applications can be a very advantageous aspect of today’s companies which operate in an economy that thrives on technology. As important as I believe technology is to an organization, I think it’s always more important to first understand the business model and the needs of the business. Having a solid understanding of the business from both an operational and technology perspective will help the organization to create value when developing new products.

No comments:

Post a Comment