Office 2.0 is tied in with the rise of Web 2.0. The idea of Web 2.0 is to use the Internet as a platform to create more responsive web pages that provide better collaboration of ideas through such concepts as social networking, blogs, wiki, etc.
Office 2.0 leverages the same concepts of Web 2.0 in order to transition the workplace to the Internet. In many ways, both Web 2.0 and Office 2.0 have become marketing terms used to create some buzz, but both are centered on the concept of using emerging technologies to position the Internet as a platform for computing needs.
An example of the idea behind Office 2.0 in action can be seen in personalized start pages. In addition to being a starting point on the Internet and providing search capabilities and web feeds, these start pages also utilize widgets to perform tasks such as keeping a to-do list, scheduling events on a calender, and being a mini-email client. In fact, some people use start pages as a workspace for the office to provide a one-stop page to make notes and check their email.
The Benefits of Office 2.0
The primary benefits of Office 2.0 is a reduction in support costs and the idea of increased productivity through collaboration. That is quite a mouthful. Basically, it means the IT staff won't need to continually upgrade different software packages on each computer in the office, so the company will save money. And, since the employees will be working in a shared environment, collaborating on projects becomes easier.
Another benefit of Office 2.0 is independence. If work is done through a web browser, then employees can be just as productive using their home computers or laptops as they can be using their work computers. There is no need to synchronize files or upgrade software since everything is stored on the remote website.
The Downside of Office 2.0
The same thing that creates a benefit for Office 2.0 also becomes a barrier. Since all of the software and data is stored in a remote location, the issue of privacy arises. If, for example, a software company offers a suite of office products including a word processor and leases their use through their website, then all documents created through the word processor will reside on a server at this company. While someone running a carpet cleaning company might not mind, a large financial institution might object.
But, what might seem like an insurmountable barrier that could regulate Office 2.0 to use in smaller businesses can be easily solved through the intranet.
The idea of the intranet could be called a forerunner to the idea of Office 2.0. An intranet is a localized or private version of the Internet used for interoffice needs. Many companies utilize intranets for such things as contact management systems or customer support solutions.
So, if we take our software company that offers an office suite through their website, that same company can deal with the concerns of privacy by packaging and selling their server to companies. Think of it as a transportable website that a company can take and use on their own. Thus, our software company provides for the smaller business by allowing their website to be used as an office suite, and provides for the larger business by selling the servers that run it.
This is, of course, just one solution to the issue of privacy. As the idea of Office 2.0 evolves and emerges in the marketplace, other solutions will also emerge.
Office 2.0 Now and in the Future
We are still years away from a solid business model utilizing Office 2.0 to replace the vast majority of their software needs as a serious contender to our current client-server platform, but we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Web-based solutions such as Google Docs and Zoho are showing the path to this future.
