Bangalore: The Enterprise social networking (ESN) software has proved to enhance communication and collaboration among employees, but most organizations fail to implement and use these products in a constructive way, consequently leading to unmet targets, according to new study by Altimeter group titled "Making the Business Case for Enterprise Social Networking."

The ESN software is beneficial to organizations provided it is implemented properly, this software boosts up information-sharing among employees and improves inter-departmental collaboration, among other benefits, but companies fail to plan and execute it the right way, reveals the study as per a an article by Juan Perez in pcworld.com.

It has been observed that the actual problem arises when organizations do not define clearly the reasons for adopting ESN software which is designed for workplace use  and offers features and capabilities like profiles, status updates and microblogging popularized by consumer social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

What is the pain point? What is the problem you're trying to solve? If that's not clear, then you shouldn't be using [ESN]," said Altimeter founder and the study's lead author Charlene Li. "This isn't easy. There is no magic bullet to it. It requires a rethinking of the relationships inside your organization, and therefore a rethinking of your culture."

Altimer surveyed 81 IT decision makers from companies with more than 250 employees interviewed 13 vendors and 185 end users the study found that most ESN implementations just end up abruptly stuck in one or more significant blockades.

ESN software most of the times remains as another stand-alone tool that is under-used as companies often fail to integrate ESN software into the existing business applications already in use by their employees, like email, collaboration platforms, CRM, ERP and office productivity suites.

ESN software can fetch good results to companies if it is implemented and used properly. This software improves efficiency through better coordination and reduced duplication, encourages employees to share information, expertise and best practices.

"The organizations that have been successful at doing this are ones that are very focused on their culture: they understand it, they understand their shortcomings and are using these tools to solve these shortcomings," Li said.