When it comes to collaboration, it’s pretty hard to wrap a hard return on investment (ROI) analysis around it. All we really know is that it increases the potential for significant gains in productivity and, candidly, the number of potential distractions.

In an Understanding the Value of Collaboration Solutions – A Hackett Research Perspective webinar presented by IBM, the various levels of maturity the companies have attained in terms of collaboration are thoughtfully discussed.

Thomas Jaskowiak, director of IT Transformation for the Hackett Group, says their research shows that companies that adopt Web-based collaboration software usually go through three phases. The first phase is focused on saving money by reducing travel costs. The second is to extend the skills of existing specialists so as to reduce the need to hire additional personnel. And finally, the highest level is to leverage collaboration software to change business processes.

Other factors driving collaboration software adoption, he said, include “Going Green,” but cautions that companies will need to change their cultural approaches to knowledge management to get to most out of collaboration software.

Scott Schrader, director of IS for SXC Health Solutions, follows by describing how his organization not only leveraged collaboration software to boost productivity, but also reduce spending on a number of “boutique applications” such as project management tools.

Finally, Jack Welch, IBM messaging and collaboration executive for IBM, describes the suite of collaboration software offered by IBM and how he personally uses these tools to change the way he works. In addition, he highlights integration with Apple iPhone and SAP applications.

Rating: Highlights how productivity applications are being transformed in the enterprise – TWM1