Although this is slightly off topic for APB, there is an article in CIO Insight that some of your readers may enjoy. The article discusses the use of social networking applications in internal company networks as a means of knowledge management and improving CRM. The article is here.

The article mentions Leverage Software with its “People Map” application. There is a picture of the application here.

It is not too much of a stretch to see that this type of application could be integrated with GIS to show the spatial relationships along with the business relationships. The larger issue is whether or not enough employees will use the application and enter the quality data required to make it profitable (which is sometimes a problem with GIS implementations, but for different reasons). Perhaps a tech-savvy, 20-something who is eager to climb the ladder will embrace this at the corporate level, but will the experienced sales person who is bringing in a million dollars worth of revenue be willing to share their relationships so that an unknown employee in another state can make a connection? Considering office politics, the social networking software seems like a good idea, but one where the ROI will not be realized for a long time. I’m interested in what other people think about this idea.

We looked at it and went on our way. We didn't even think about it. ... We are not in the applications business.