Can Google Wave make it in the Enterprise?

There has been a lot of hype and a fair amount of press around Google Wave. While this has proven to be a good way to get the word out, as evidenced by people clamoring for Google Wave invitations, there seems to be something missing.

I'm not against Google Wave, but I am a pragmatist in that I work with companies that are trying to determine where to invest their hard earned dollars.

Which leads me to a few simple questions. Questions I have put forth in a series of polls that I have posted as public waves. I'd like to get your feedback on these polls. Click here or search within Google Wave for "with:public shuey"

Poll: Can Google Wave make it in the enterprise?

What do you think?

I think there are more than a few factors that will allow, encourage and, if done right, ultimately smooth the path for Google to enter the enterprise market. Some of which are addressed in my blog post about Google Wave - First Impressions along with a few other factors that need to be addressed, including Searching within the Wave, IDing a specific Wave or segment (aka blip) within a Wave, and Control of who has access to each Wave.

Two more polls: Note the similarities!

The same points that will allow Google Wave to catch on will also be the hardest to achieve. Going viral is great, but Google needs to accomplish something that is much more difficult to achieve. Google needs to make sure that first experience is one to remember and one that has enough gravity to pull the user back for the second experience.

It seems quite clear to me that Google is making a play for the enterprise. A few weeks ago Google started a new campaign with the name of "Gone Google" that just so happened to hit the streets (literally) during the Microsoft SharePoint Conference. I blogged about it here Gone Google - Will it Work? and I still think Google's biggest challenge is building the partner ecosystem.

Partners needed--Apply where?

Google has the hype and arguably a pretty cool set of offerings. However, in the battle for the enterprise, Microsoft and a few technology platform providers have a long track record of success. Microsoft has a 20+ year advantage and has built a solid partner ecosystem around the globe that does the one thing that partners care about--generate revenue. Microsoft's partners are the secret sauce--getting partners on board should be one of Google's top priorities. As a point of reference, the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem creates a 1:3:5 Ratio that keeps partners and customers close and coming back again and again.

Stability--A critical success factor

If I had to pick just one thing that is hindering my experience it would have to be stability. This is the number one factor I have found to be a challenge when using Google Wave. I realize this is a beta, or, as Google calls it, a "preview," and I will give them the benefit of the doubt that these are growing pains. However, as I think everyone can attest to, that's been in the Enterprise Software business for a long time...an application that does not work and/or is not easy to use will not make it.

Going Viral is not enough

Google is betting on people, the worker bees, carrying Google Wave into their offices. In order to keep them happy and recommending Google Wave to their internal IT departments they need to be very confident that it's going to work. Most workers are not IT professionals--nor should they be. They need to get their jobs done and want tools to make their jobs easier. Google Wave could be one of those tools that helps them get their jobs done more effectively. IT departments are busy and they need to make sure any effort they put forth will have maximum impact while maintaining costs and the rest of the systems. If Google and the Google Wave community can help address the questions in the polls I posted they can help provide IT departments with a reason to say YES.

Pros and cons

There are a few stories out there where Google Wave deployments were utilized to create some initial success. This is great. However, I have not seen anything on the broad enterprise scale yet. Again, I realize Google Wave is in "preview" mode and that it takes time to achieve this. Google needs to drive this effort if they expect to convince enterprise buyers. Google also needs to work with the Google Wave community to author and popularize "use cases" where Google Wave can help enterprise customers.

There has also been a lot of ink about the cons of Google Wave. Some see Google Wave as nothing more than a mega-wiki or worse. There was a cogent discussion in the comments of Robert Scoble's blog post about Google Wave. I don't agree with every point made, but many of the points made are valid and need to be addressed if Google expects Google Wave the gain access to the enterprise.

I could be wrong

Maybe I'm completely wrong and Google doesn't want to go after the enterprise market with Google Wave, Google Docs, and the rest of the Google offerings.

What do you think?

• Can Google Wave make it in the enterprise?
• What will encourage Google Wave adoption?
• What will hinder Google Wave adoption?

Please take a minute to respond to the survey posted as a Wave or drop me a comment and your thoughts here.

About Jeff Shuey:
I have spent the better part of the last 16 years working in various aspects of the ECM industry. I spent time at Kofax, Microsoft, FileNet, K2, and most recently Captaris (which was acquired by Open Text in Nov 2008). Prior to that I was a Unix VAR running my own company. Follow me on Twitter, check my blog, send email or find me on Facebook or LinkedIn.