Item: HCL Connections
Rating: 9
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with IBM Connections

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

It is currently being used by a number of departments throughout the company. It is addressing different problems within each department but primarily it is being used to disseminate information, used for notifications of important deadlines and for collaboration between a large geographical area.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Notifications - easily notifying users of changes in content whether it be blogs, forums or files.
Discussions - easily and quickly set up discussion topics so communities can exchange ideas on a variety of topics.
Quick set up - being able to rapidly set up a community in order to get a group collaborating.

Cons

Increased security schemes.
Community centric configurations
Displays of textual type content (web pages)

Return on Investment

Better exchange of ideas
More cohesiveness among members of departments who are geographically separated.
Greater ability for multiple departments to share information.

Alternatives Considered

Novell Vibe,MS SharePoint

At the time we were evaluating collaboration tools we weren't sure if our users were ready for it or not. As such we wanted to purchase a product where the users could get the feel for collaboration without making a huge software and infrastructure commitment in case they would not buy into it. Connections filled the need perfectly. Since we were an IBM shop already it made even more sense. The best thing is that Connections has continued to meet our collaboration needs even though it has caught on greatly with our user community and demand increases every day. We will continue to use Connections despite other larger more expensive options are out there.

Likelihood to Renew

Connections has continued to more than meet our needs from a collaboration point of view and we are currently working on integration with our IBM Websphere portal platform to provide an integrated collaboration solution. This scenario will provide our users the best both products have to offer in a single interface.

Likelihood to Recommend

In assessing whether or not to use Connections, the primary issues are whether or not they need true web type pages and the level of security needed. The options are usually Connections or a portal site. If they don't have a need for multiple levels of access to the content or have to display web type pages then I direct them towards Connections where they can be up and running in literally 10 minutes.

IBM Connections Support

Support Rating

We ran into a few unique issues that took some time to resolve.

HCL Connections Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed Immediate help available Support cares about my success	None

Premium Support

Yes - We have contracted with an IBM partner for additional development and support work.

Bug Resolution

Yes - Yes.

Using IBM Connections

Usability

Most functions are fairly straight forward and the online help can any most questions.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

Event creation and integration with Outlook
Forums
Blogs

Difficult Tasks

Activities

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

Yes - I think the app is very good. Most people find it more straight forward than the desktop version.

Comments

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Diversity of Connections

Software Version

Modules Used